teaching kids to use the phone

[KleineMaus]

At what age do people teach their kids to use the phone? I'm going to be on my own for a bit with my two DSs while DH is away on a work trip and I've been worrying about what DS1 would do if anything happened to me. I'm wondering whether I should teach him to call my mum in an emergency. So far I've taught him not to touch the phone and he doesn't. He's pretty sensible but I'm not sure if he's too young.

How old? I would probably practice with them dialling your mobile as long as they are able to recognise numbers. TBH I think you are overthinking the DH going away bit, OTOH it doesn't hurt to equip your children with life skills. Now if only I could stop my dd phoning the friend she saw all day at school 10 minutes after we get home.

Sorry, forgot to say that DS1 is only 3.5. You're probably right about overthinking DH being away. He's away all day at work most days anyway, and when he's not here my mum tends to phone at least once a day, just to check we made it through the night by ourselves!

I have taught my children basic phone manners, so to say hello after ringing stops to identify themselves and then ask how other person is, my daughter is the same age and she also answers my phone for me when I'm driving (only really to dh/my mil as i am mils emergency person) and says 'Mamas driving on the motorway, is it an emergency?'

She knows to press the hang up button as well

So i would say mine are pretty clued up on phones but i still havent taught them about 9999 yet, as i dont trust her definition of an emergency yet.