Babies and Phones ?

JuberP · March 2011

With cell phones being so popular, and many people opting to ditch their home phone, I was wondering what you all do?

We had a baby sitter last month without a working cell phone. We didn't have a home phone, so she didn't have a way to call someone in an emergency. As a result, I ended up getting a home phone for the first time in 10 years. (Vonage - VOIP).

I've also heard of people getting a cell phone for their kids/baby, so whoever the caregiver is at the time, they have a phone.

What do you do?

sophabelle · March 2011

wow i can't believe that a babysitter didn't have a cell phone!!

but in that instance, i guess it is a good idea to have a home phone anyway, in case the caregiver's phone is dead or something... i have no idea. we've never used a babysitter other than my mom or MIL so we haven't ever thought of a situation like this.

however i think that if you continue to use said babysitter, if she were to leave the house w/your child, i'd invest in a track phone or something so that there was a way for help to be called if they were away from home since pay phones aren't on every corner like they used to be.

BackthePack · March 2011

We have a home phone, so we don't have that issue. However in your situation I'd either opt for a home phone or a pre-paid cell phone to keep at your house for babysitters.

JuberP · March 2011

sophabelle:

wow i can't believe that a babysitter didn't have a cell phone!!

She has one, but it had a dead battery or something. I felt so old-timey telling her she'd have to run to the neighbors in case of emergency.

jenwill · March 2011

We got rid of our home phone about 6 mos ago. We haven't had a problem. So far we haven't had to use an actual babysitter, since we have local family that usually watch her if we need help (and they all have cell phones and know that we don't have a home phone-so they come charged or use our charger).

Could you have left either you or your husband's phone at home for her to use? That's the only thing I could think to do in that situation.

dbertagni · March 2011

We use Ooma and love it.

My sister is in your situation with no home phone and she ended up getting a cell phone for her son to keep on if he goes out or if he is home alone.

raceyrae · March 2011

We have a landline and probably always will also. I prefer having that to give out for appointments, registrations, etc. vs. giving everyong my cell to reach me wherever I am. So we haven't had this issue but like others have said, in your situation, I'd get a prepaid phone or something to have on hand if her phone battery dies again. Or get a charge that has interchangable heads so that she can charge her phone at your house if needed. Of course, there could be times that she just outright forgets her phone at home, it gets lost, etc.

SalisburyBride · March 2011

We don't have a landline now, but will once we start teaching 911. If something were to happen to me or DH and we couldn't get to the phone I don't know that John could figure out how to get to the key pad to dial 911. So many cell phones (ie. iPhone) now have password locks or you have to go through a few menus to get to an actual keypad screen that I would feel better if he could just pick up a land line and dial. I think most land line phone companies don't require a plan to just have access to emercengy lines. If your phone is plugged in it will dial 911 just no other outside numbers.

JuberP · March 2011

SalisburyBride:
We don't have a landline now, but will once we start teaching 911. If something were to happen to me or DH and we couldn't get to the phone I don't know that John could figure out how to get to the key pad to dial 911. So many cell phones (ie. iPhone) now have password locks or you have to go through a few menus to get to an actual keypad screen that I would feel better if he could just pick up a land line and dial. I think most land line phone companies don't require a plan to just have access to emercengy lines. If your phone is plugged in it will dial 911 just no other outside numbers.

That is a REALLY good point - hadn't thought of that!

raceyrae · March 2011

JuberP:

SalisburyBride:
We don't have a landline now, but will once we start teaching 911. If something were to happen to me or DH and we couldn't get to the phone I don't know that John could figure out how to get to the key pad to dial 911. So many cell phones (ie. iPhone) now have password locks or you have to go through a few menus to get to an actual keypad screen that I would feel better if he could just pick up a land line and dial. I think most land line phone companies don't require a plan to just have access to emercengy lines. If your phone is plugged in it will dial 911 just no other outside numbers.

That is a REALLY good point - hadn't thought of that!

Very good point! We have a landline but I never thought of keeping it for that reason.

laceysmom82 · March 2011

raceyrae:
We have a landline and probably always will also. I prefer having that to give out for appointments, registrations, etc. vs. giving everyong my cell to reach me wherever I am. So we haven't had this issue but like others have said, in your situation, I'd get a prepaid phone or something to have on hand if her phone battery dies again. Or get a charge that has interchangable heads so that she can charge her phone at your house if needed. Of course, there could be times that she just outright forgets her phone at home, it gets lost, etc.

This for me too. I go back and forth on getting rid of the home phone, but keep it for those very reasons (doctors appointments, etc...) I think if I ran into that problem I'd leave my phone with the babysitter and just use DH's phone, if we were out together.

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