moms of toddlers/preschoolers

Jodi&Joe

Can you talk on the phone when they are home?

Joe wants me to make my business calls tomorrow --- with both kids home.  Granted I can do some of them when Joey is in school -- so I would just have Cam.  But it depends on how good she will be at entertaining herself (w/out Joey) during that time.

I just find it beyond frustrating trying to talk on the phone when they are here.  Add in the fact that it's business --- ARGH! 

And he just doesn't seem to get it.  yet he will go on the deck and tell me not to let them outside when he is calling his clients at night.

Ciarrai

No.  I do not make any business calls or answer business calls when the girls are home unless they're napping, in bed or with DH.  I'm a WAHM and this can seriously limit when I can answer the phone.  But I just don't think it's professional to have a screaming kid in the background when discussing business.  The girls can be happily playing one second and be screaming the next because someone can fall or take another's toy or just because I'm on the phone.  I will (rarely) answer if it's that week's wedding or a client that I know I've been trying to get a hold of for a while or something, but they generally understand if the girls start screaming.

Kapalua

Honestly? Not without him either sleeping or giving him lollipops. It sucks-I have to wait until naptime and power call!

veloelle

That would be a huge, big, fat, NO.  When I WAH, like today, DD is at daycare. I had to be on a conf call on my day off. Of course I did not have it on mute and DD decided to start screeching. Totally interrupted the call, and I had to fess up. Thank goodness they laughed, but I was mortified.

No business calls w/ kids during normal business hours. 

mommynow

No way.  If I'm on a phone call that I don't want interrupted, the kids are in the playroom and I go out on the porch.

Katesmama

Not a chance.  My phone sends secret messages to K.  "Your mommy is busy why don't you jump off the back of the sofa" or the one from today "Mommy is busy pull the cats tail and scream when he smacks you".
Business phone + toddler(s) = FAIL

 

bubu

No.  She could be as quite as a church mouse but as soon as I get on the phone she wants to play and talk to me.  I always make calls at work or if my DH has taken her out somewhere for a few minutes.  Basically I don't talk on the phone much anymore.

pincushions

Ciarrai:

No.  I do not make any business calls or answer business calls when the girls are home unless they're napping, in bed or with DH.  I'm a WAHM and this can seriously limit when I can answer the phone.  But I just don't think it's professional to have a screaming kid in the background when discussing business.  The girls can be happily playing one second and be screaming the next because someone can fall or take another's toy or just because I'm on the phone.  I will (rarely) answer if it's that week's wedding or a client that I know I've been trying to get a hold of for a while or something, but they generally understand if the girls start screaming.

this.

femmegem

I was trying to talk to a customer service rep a couple weeks ago and DS literally followed me around the house, screaming. It was horrible.

I would hate to try to make business calls with him around.

PearlieGirl'sMom

Honestly, it really depends. Sometimes, I will have DD watching a DVD or PBS. Other times, that does not even work. Today, I had a call and she actually fell asleep, so I was able to talk for awhile with no interruptions.

eclaires

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHA!

::gasps for breath::

BWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I only have one, and talking to ANYONE on the phone is a trial.  My mom calls me and he gets all in my business or acts up.  The doctor's office called today and I was wickedly embarrassed by him.

Business calls?  NO NO NO.  

 

LeisureSuitLauren

Yep, that's a big fat NO.

SpartanGirl

No way.  The kids do occasionally surprise me and are quiet when I'm on the phone, but for the most part, I plan calls for when they're not around. 

Brewster

Business, hell no.  Casual phones calls, yea.  My friends don't mind me having to say hold on while I talk to Noah for a sec here or there. 

JOEBunny

Every time I am on the phone I have to repeatedly say, "It is mommy's turn, you need to be patient, aNd when I am done, we will do XY&Z,  but usually there is a lot of screaming and I end up outside with the baby or putting DD in her room.  Now, I try to make calls when I am in the car, with both of them strapped in.  I do it before and after we go someplace.   I also push them in the stroller to talk on the phone. 

I would not try to make business calls with them.

LestaMarie

I never make business calls with them around.  Personal calls, sure, since everyone I know knows I have a couple of preschoolers hanging around, but business people...you don't want them hearing, "moooOOOMmmmyyyy, I SAID I want some JUICE!" in the background.

shopgirl78

Sometimes.   It really depends who I am calling.   I feel safe calling some of my clients with the kids around and others not so much.