Comments on: Parent Fight: Toddlers on Answering Machines

By: Deanna

Deanna — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:00:53 +0000

My six year old very clearly recorded the outgoing message on our home answering machine. My mother in law was disgusted claiming now people know we have kids in the house. First of all the message says we can’t get the phone leave a message, not her name or our for that matter. Second of all as far as strangers go, a lot less strangers drive by our house in a day than call it – Should I take the swing set down???? Give me a break. Keep the kids message short and I just don’t see the problem.

By: Christi

Christi — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:54:59 +0000

Has anyone seen this petition? It's hysterical!

http://bestparentever.com/2008/07/30/50-voicemail-brats/

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:57:25 +0000

Sorry Moms, I also have 2 kids and I have NEVER had them record a message on my answering machine. I find that to be really inappropriate and frankly, when I hear child recorded messages, to me it appears that the kids rule that household, not the parents. Be the parent, be in charge.

By: Synthya

Synthya — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:32:02 +0000

It’s annoying to hear a child answer the phone and/or on the answering machine. I find it down right inappropriate. If I call someone, the last thing I want to waste my time with is hearing a squeaky voiced child at the end. Remember parents”its your kid” so whatever they do, you are impressed with it. Have mercy on the the rest of us.

By: Miriam

Miriam — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:46:50 +0000

I’m a minimalist. I prefer all messages to be short and to-the-point. Even adults chatting about this or that. Just let me know I called the right number, please. Thanks.

By: Lydia

Lydia — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:54:10 +0000

I hate kids.

By: Chief Family Officer

Chief Family Officer — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:51:25 +0000

We don’t have our kids on our answering machine and probably never will, but I actually don’t mind the few kid messages I’ve heard. Either I only call the number once or twice, or I’m close enough to the family that I just think it’s cute.

By: Tracy P

Tracy P — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:44:03 +0000

I don’t mind the messages…especially if I know the child…

By: gertie

gertie — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:08:09 +0000

Do people even have home answering machines anymore? Everybody just has cell phones, right?

In all seriousness, I was sick of novelty phone messages in 1988. The best messages go as follows: "You have reached _____. beeeeep!"

And I do agree with your wife that toddler messages are annoying. Unless they call and leave you a message. That's cute.

By: Darby

Darby — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:16:02 +0000

I'm not the most patient person in the world but I am a little shocked at some of the attitudes about how "annoying" little kids or toddlers are to either hear on an answering machine or talk to on the phone.

Are all of us adults so pressed for time that we can't bear to wait 20 extra seconds for the message on an answering machine? I mean, didn't you just call to speak with someone, which would have likely taken several minutes rather than less than one?

With all of the other real crap us grown-ups have to deal with, you would think we could take a moment to appreciate such a message for what it really is...a young child experiencing the fun and excitement of technology and what it is like to record his or her own voice, and parents who are proud of their child and who are fun and carefree enough to do something a little silly with their kids and share it with others who are lucky enough to call when no one is home.

Geez, people. Lighten up and enjoy the simple things in life a little.