How can I get DD1 to talk to people on the phone?

[JackBauer]

DD1 is a little sensitive at times. She doesn't like new things and is very shy. She will not speak to anyone apart from DH or I on the phone, she just runs away and hides. We have tried using mobiles, landlines, speakers, not speakers, bribery but she just won't.

I know it's not a big thing but we live a long way from IL's and MIL is in rehab ward after a very serious stroke and FIL is now living on his own after this and BIL moving out. They have both said they woudl love to hear from teh DD@s more often but while DD2 will happily chunter about pingu nothing DD1 won't

ANy ideas, tricks, coping strategies would help.

yes, dont bothre JB. Get dd to write a letter or draw a picture instead. I ahve a ds just the same. Or have you a little video camera you can film her saying a message and play it?

How old is she? What about video phone on PC? Was also going to suggest video camera and sent it to them? Can you get both dds on the phone at the same time, do you have an extra phone so they have one each?

Jack My ds is like this, he is 7 now and will still only speak to me on the phone, no one else, and only under duress, and even then he will listen to me but say very little in reply.

Unless it is a matter of life and death, I wouldnb't force you DD to talk on the phone, just respect her issues, they may seem silly to you but to her they are probably very huge and real.

Try skype chatting with a webcam if you can, my DS will talk on skype with a webcam, I think the fact that he can see the other person makes it different from holding a phone and talking to it.

Hmm. I agree don't bother. Dd1 didn't like talking on the phone until recently. She also recently learnt her gps phone numbers.

They don't appreciate it when she phones them at 4am to tell them she is hungry and mummy and daddy won't get up and get her breakfast.

Sorry, she's 4. DD2 is 2.6 so her 'chat' is nonsenscial!
We have been getting her to send stuff but MIL still doesn't have her sight back, and I am sending recordings of her waffling but she seems fixed on actually talking to her. It doesn't help that her voice obviosuly sounds 'wrong' to DD because of the stroke. She did talk to MIL before the stroke which kind of makes it worse as MIL feel shit enough already

We really don't want ot push it and every day when DH calls the hospital we let DD2 chat and ask DD1 but she will just run off.

Webcam/skype/video calling woudn't work with hosptial I don't think.

Sorry, meant to say thanks for advice. Sorry to be on a downer! Was just talking to SIL and she said MIL is really upset that she hasn't spoken to DD1 for months. I know MIL is grownup etc but she is mega depressed after the stroke anyway so any little thing to cheer her up would help.
DH took her into the hospital to visit awhile back and she (DD1) freaked so we aren't taking her in again anytime soon.

i had this problem with my dd and her Grannie...... so i just sent her off into another room to talk and that worked....she was embarrassed in front of me it seems!!!

Oh Jack it sounds like a tough situation for your whole family. Of course you want to do everything you can to help your MIL cheer up, but your DD is only 4, that is ever so young to be faced with the pressure to doing the right thing for another person, try not to put pressure on her to talk to MIL right now. Hopefully your MIL will understand that DD is too young to be made to talk to her on the phone.

I hope she recovers and gets to go home from hospital soon.

Do a lovely painting together with handprints and finger prints on etc..... and take a photo of her doing it or blowing a kiss or something and add a little note such as 'I love you Grandma' My parents love showing off pics and photos of dd and ds!!

sparkly, I will try the other room thing, hadn't thought of that. Can't do pics as MIL still can't see anything.

We are trying nt to put pressure on her, I agree it's unfair and try adn keep it light and breezy but DH finds it hard not to try and persuade her because he wants his mum to perk up.

Yeah, she loves play phones, never off the buggers! [contrary child]

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