Can't stand it: "Sadie, Martin and Jocasta (the 0-10 year old) can't come to the phone at the moment, please leave your messages after the tone".
Makes me want to leave a message for Jocasta: "did you do a big poo in your nappy today for mummy and daddy?"
Called my friend the other day. Her 4 year old answered the phone. I said "is mummy there?". 4 year old couldn't find mummy (mummy was out in the garden getting the washing in) so I was subjected to 3 or 4 minutes of ear-splitting wailing for "mummmmmmmmeeeeeeeeee". I just wanted to put the phone down, tbh, but had to talk her through her anxiety cos she knows me quite well.
Phones are for grown-ups. Or at least not for under 7s.