Elderly parents and mobile phones - getting them to use or at least call

[Deleted User]

Must admit still don't understand this thing where people think its wrong to receive personal phone calls at work.

Admitedly, if its excessive but I find the attitude very strange.

In my 25 year working I've never ever worked somewhere where anyone would even bat an eye lid for a 2 min personal call. To be fair, people wouldn't even know who was phoning you.

Near the end of contracts, I've usually got agencies calling me (on my mobile) about upcoming work several times a day. No-one even notices....

I think if I ever worked at a client where they tried to tell me that I wasn't allowed to recieve personal calls I'd tell them where to get off.

red_devil

my mum has not long passed away and I would do anything to hear her call again and I wouldnt care what time it was?

troubleinparadise

My mum became more anxious about what to me were unimportant issues and unable to use first her mobile phone and then her landline with the onset and then decline of dementia - it can be insidious initially, but becomes more obvious as time goes on....

I'm not saying that's what's wrong here, but rather than become irritated by a small issue - which it is, annoying though it may be - and find another way round it, many of which have already been suggested here.

Make the most of enjoying the good times with him rather than focusing on the small annoyances

Torry_Quine

[quote=[Deleted User];61635603]Must admit still don't understand this thing where people think its wrong to receive personal phone calls at work.

Admitedly, if its excessive but I find the attitude very strange.

In my 25 year working I've never ever worked somewhere where anyone would even bat an eye lid for a 2 min personal call. To be fair, people wouldn't even know who was phoning you.

Near the end of contracts, I've usually got agencies calling me (on my mobile) about upcoming work several times a day. No-one even notices....

I think if I ever worked at a client where they tried to tell me that I wasn't allowed to recieve personal calls I'd tell them where to get off.[/QUOTE]

I think it very much depends on the type of work. I can't imagine a checkout operator would be allowed to take calls for instance. :eek:

Nicki

red_devil wrote: »

my mum has not long passed away and I would do anything to hear her call again and I wouldnt care what time it was?

That's an unfair guilt trip.

My father died in March and I miss him too and would love another chance to talk to him on the phone. That doesn't mean I can't see that it is difficult for OP and his heavily pregnant wife and young child when HIS father is phoning the landline very late at night waking the household up in a distressed state which takes time to soothe him, when this could be easily avoided.

I would hazard a guess that if during their lifetime either your mum or my dad had been doing this on a very regular basis that we would also have found that hard to cope with whilst holding down a full time job and looking after a young family

maman

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I think it very much depends on the type of work. I can't imagine a checkout operator would be allowed to take calls for instance. :eek:

Thanks TQ I'd begun to wonder if it was just me thought that way. I can't imagine my doctor or solicitor taking/making a personal call during an appointment. And imagine if teachers did it:eek:. There'd be hell to pay from parents and students.

aileth

Would love to know any tips on getting elderly parents to not use mobile phones. My mum has just got a brand new smartphone and is glued to it for all the games and won't stop texting me rubbish during work!!!

ViolaLass

red_devil wrote: »

my mum has not long passed away and I would do anything to hear her call again and I wouldnt care what time it was?

What if she did it every night after you had gone to bed? I imagine even that would wear thin.

[Deleted User]

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I think it very much depends on the type of work. I can't imagine a checkout operator would be allowed to take calls for instance. :eek:

Of course, it all depends on where you work etc. But I'm just pointing out that some on here seem to be saying its unprofessional regardless of the situation.

[Deleted User]

maman wrote: »

Thanks TQ I'd begun to wonder if it was just me thought that way. I can't imagine my doctor or solicitor taking/making a personal call during an appointment. And imagine if teachers did it:eek:. There'd be hell to pay from parents and students.

Yeh. But it depends on working environment. I'm neither a doctor, solictor or teacher.

I work in an office where I can walk around at will, take a break at will, make a cuppa, make a few calls etc. Surely a lot of people are like this?