To think that my dd really doesn't need to talk to her friend on the phone

[Jinsei]

after they have been in school together all day?

I knew this would happen when she hit the teenage years, but already? She is 7!

I am not planning to stop her from talking to her friends if they call, but is it really the norm for children at this age to be ringing each other in the evenings?

At 7?!!

not the norm at all in our area. Do they call each other on the landlines, or do they have mobiles (not the norm here for 7yo to have mobile)

Landlines. Definitely no mobiles - have a pact with the other mums that they're definitely not getting them till they can pay for them themselves secondary school.

So it's not just me who finds it a bit unusual then. That's a relief.

Suppose its no different to playing together after school. Although they might see each other all day, not all of that time will be spent socializing with each other.

I did this with my friends at 12, but no, not at 7!

I guess you're right ihear. This particular little friend is rarely allowed to play after school, so I suppose it's quite nice for them. I was just surprised to find this happening so early.

I have been eavesdropping on can overhear their conversation and so far, they have had a long discussion about the Mr Gum books, and now dd is reading out loud to her friend from a book about puppies.

No way! Did she dial the number herself?

Her friend called her, so don't know if she dialled herself. I answered, and the friend asked very nicely to speak to dd.

They got cut off during the call, and dd did manage to ring her friend back without any help. She knows how to use the phone anyway, as I've taught her in case of emergencies etc, and they appear to have exchanged numbers in school!