Does anyone think its okay for a child to be on the phone all the time?

Question

I live far from my sister and whenever i try calling my family my niece whom is 11 is always on the phone with her friends and i always have to call back later, does this seem okay for a parent to always let their child be on the phone? and how do i say something to my sister without being rude or mean cause i don't want to make any conflicts or upset anyone...or am i just over reacting?

Answer 1

I think that if an 11 year old is on the phone and you are calling through long distance, she should be giving the phone to her mother, not letting you go. Maybe your sister doesn't know that she is doing this. I would just say to your sister "I never seem to be able to get you on the phone, because "neice" is always on it". This way you are making her aware of it, without being rude. Let the conversation go from there. I also would probably be telling the niece to hang up with her friend because you need to talk to her mother. No way an 11 year old should be telling an adult to call back, especially if you are calling long distance.

Answer 2

Im 11 and my dad gets so mad when i do this. I mean i understand what your saying but how do you know that the neice is on the phone and not your sister? And has your sister thought of having hold and stuff so when you call she can tell her friend one second and give the phone to your sister? I mean i just tell my friends when my dad says gett off the phone i do..i have like 3-4 friends call a day and they get so mad when i have to get off but personally i dont want to talk to them lol. Anyways i dont think she should be doing this. I mean you could try calling your sisters cell phone if she has one. And like someone said above maybe the neice should get her own phone or a go phone and when the minutes are up she cant talk to anyone...? Anyways i wish you luck into trying to contact you sister!

Answer 3

You should just send your sister a letter telling her what the issue is - then she can address it with your niece. She should tell her daughter that she's only allow to be on the phone for 15 minutes at a time or just during certain times. I'm sure your sister needs to use the telephone also from time to time. If your niece needs to be on the phone all of the time, then she should get a job, buy her own phone and have it in her own name - then she wouldn't be bothering anyone else. Your niece is being extremely selfish.

Answer 4

I don't really think that it is your place to be telling your sister how to raise her kids. I do, however agree with you that your niece should not be on the phone for hours on end. It is not fair to you, or to other callers. You might say to your sister, next time you talk to her, "Did you know that your daughter has been on the phone for hours? I tried calling (list time) and it's been busy this whole time. I think she needs instant messenger or her own line." A gentle suggestion - bringing it to her attention - might work out better than any other thing. Try to be calm, and neutral when you tell her this. Good luck.

Answer 5

All the time is definitely not good. My little sister talks on the phone for hours and she's 9. It's pretty annoying when I call home and its busy. But I told my little sister to not use the phone in a certain time period. It works out pretty good, if she remembers. If she doesn't, I hope my mom hears her cell phone.

Answer 6

No, you are not over reacting, and any parent who lets their 11 year old tell ANY adult calling her parents that she is on the 'phone and that they need to call back later has already lost the battle. No offense, but your sister doesn't sound like the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Answer 7

I did the same thing when i was 11 until i was 12 i got over it and i barely talked on the phone it's just a stage shell get over it in no time.

Answer 8

ask your sister when a good time to call is because you tried calling and your niece was busy one the phone. ask your sister about your niece's friends best of luck

Answer 9

I don't allow my children to talk on the phone. Or spend to much time infront of the tv. Parents these days want there kids to have what they didn't. So they both work too much to afford this. It sounds like the parents need some help before there kids loose it. Tell them too much of any thing is bad. Reading and board games are fun. But the parents have to spend the time!!!!

Answer 10

All I can say is I wouldn't let my daughter tell anyone to call back later, if someone calls while she is on the phone, she better get off, and tell me, or she'll be grounded from the phone.