Why dies he cry during FaceTime?

[Cait73]

Just curious really, we're not doing it any more because for whatever reason my 12 month old grandson cries every time he sees Mum and Dad on the phone, but is it because he's missing them, frightened or just plain confused?

He's been with me 2 months he does it every single time yet chats happily to other people

I should add that in person he totally recognises Mum and Dad and goes to them happily

Any ideas?

Dear Cait,

My children are not so young, they are 4 and 6 now but FaceTime has NEVER worked for us. If my parents in law had my children, and I FaceTimed (me the mother especially) they either burst into tears or did not want to ‘chat’. Sometimes they would be a bit strange with us, not very talkative and would just want to get off the phone, but when they did my mother in law said one or both would get upset and cry.

Now at 4 and 6, going the other way and we face time grandparents should they do not see often, although they do not cry they do not want to engage at all on FaceTime. They run off after the initial few seconds of me pinning them down. Or hide under the cushions. Grandparents are always disappointed.

I think it is just too overwhelming for some (most) children. They miss me and my husband terribly if we go on our yearly anniversary break. They however have their minds off that having so much fun with granny and grandad and then suddently out of the blue there’s my face! With a sunny beach background! I’m sure they are shocked and confused to see me on a PHONE ... and now they’ve seen me they assume I’m about to walk in through the front door.... and then it’s reality, no no I’m not. Que tears. Lots of them.

As for when we ring grandparents I guess they also don’t understand why we are FaceTiming ... why can’t we just go see them now... (they live a 5 hour drive away!)

I think it's too much to expect from him, I've requested no more FaceTime contact it just upsets him, it's not worth it

I was just curious if anyone had any baby/child psychology knowledge, but it's a relief to hear your experiences thank you 🙏🏼