Quick: Baby Crack Needed!

[WatchingThemGrow]

DS is in LOVE with my cell phone. He wants nothing else except my phone and he is continually crying unless it is in his hand today. I just tried to call somewhere while holding him and the screaming set off the voice activated response system so that I couldn't make the call. He is temporarily distracted by his newfound walking abilities, but ends up right next to me screaming for it even when it is hidden.

Is there a toy a 14 month old would love more than mommy's cell? I've got DD searching for the old one we used to charge up for her to play with. There are about 5 other toy phones around our house, but they don't take pictures and make as many good noises, I guess. DD's even trying to distract him with other items. Help!!!

[BeachBum]

Our child went through this too. We did pull out an old cell and let him have at it. It was not the same. We discovered it wasn't the cell he wanted...it was just what we had / were giving our attention.

[amldaley]

Originally Posted by WatchingThemGrow

DS is in LOVE with my cell phone. He wants nothing else except my phone and he is continually crying unless it is in his hand today. I just tried to call somewhere while holding him and the screaming set off the voice activated response system so that I couldn't make the call. He is temporarily distracted by his newfound walking abilities, but ends up right next to me screaming for it even when it is hidden.

Is there a toy a 14 month old would love more than mommy's cell? I've got DD searching for the old one we used to charge up for her to play with. There are about 5 other toy phones around our house, but they don't take pictures and make as many good noises, I guess. DD's even trying to distract him with other items. Help!!!

I say, "Put him to work doing telemarketing and customer service call bank operations."

ok, well, I was going to suggest a decoy phone, but you are alrready working on that. Will he still fall for the "baby in the mirror" trick? We use that to distract dd all the time. How about the TV remote?

[JTsMom]

Jason was a cell phone junky too. I feel your pain! LOL

Here are a couple that might work just for the novelty factor:
Let him "wash dishes". Tupperware/dishpan/etc full of water, some measuring cups, plus something bubbly. It helps if he can stand at the sink. Otherwise, put him in an empty bathtub wit the above.

Pan full of uncooked rice- seriously. I remember keeping DS busy for an entire morning with that once. He just liked holding it and letting it run through his fingers. It will end up all over your floor, so keep that in mind.

Do you have any pudding or shaving cream? He could "paint" with them on the shower walls.

[npace19147]

You could also try locking your phone. If it doesn't do anything interesting he might get bored/frustrated and leave it alone?

[crazydiamond]

Our 7.5 month old loves to play with our phones, but she really wants to have our TIVO remote. All those colorful cute baby toys I bought - and she is happiest playing with a dull gray tivo remote. Turning it around in her hands, pushing the buttons, chomping on it.

........hey who recorded C-SPAN?

[kimberley-k]

My 7.5 month old is completely obsessed with my cell phone when we're out, and the Tivo remote when we're home. He gets soooo mad if I have to take them away! I try to swap him for a baby toy, but he's too smart for that.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Ok, thanks for the suggestions this far. He's up from his nap, so when DD goes down for her nap, I may try to distract him with something messy. Both kids and messy just isn't going to happen with my belly (really big already!).

We've got to find that old phone and get it charging again. He loves turning on the camera, then closing it so he can see his face on the outside screen. I threw him the old Canon, but DD told me it wasn't any fun b/c it doesn't make noises or have pictures on it.

You know...I remember a very special day DD had with Solo cups last year - at about this age. It was hours of enjoyment, and I got a lot done. Maybe I'll try that too!

[elektra]

DD has a Barbie cell phone that looks relatively similar to my old phone and the buttons make noise, Barbie's voice comes on, but no pictures.
I think the trick is, I actually pretend to use it myself sometimes. I think that's why she wants mine so much is because she see's me using it.
When I got my iphone for Christmas, I kept my old one to charge up for her to use because she is not getting her hands on my iphone! She actually doesn't like it as much though because there are no real buttons. Phew!

[icunurse]

Both kids loved the toy cell phone from Parents at Target. It runs maybe $10, all the buttons make noise, it flips open, you can record a message. Still not as much fun as my phone, but it kept them happy