Metropolitan Mama

“Mama Needs to Make a Phone Call…”

Penelope Trunk wrote a post on her blog in early June 2007 {Blending my kids and my career (ugh)} about the various tactics that she uses to distract her kids when she has to make or receive business calls during the day…

Tactics like letting her child dump an entire box of Cheerios on the floor or “hiding” in a broom closet for a radio interview.

It seems a little insane, but I can’t say that I haven’t done similar things.

Like Penelope, I try to only schedule phone calls for when my mother-in-law or husband is here…or “after hours” (bedtime).

In fact, I mostly try to limit phone calls – period. Note to clients and colleagues: I much prefer e-mail, twitter/facebook chatting, and text messaging.

That said, phone conversations are inevitable (not all people are up working at midnight, after all) and, every once in awhile, I do have to talk on the phone during the day when it’s just me and the girls. In those instances, I do sometimes resort to tactics like giving my 2-year-old an extra special snack (that will take awhile to eat) or turning on PBS.

Do you ever find that you have to talk on the phone when your kids are around?

Then, you may be interested in…

calistopro 300x212 Mama Needs to Make a Phone Call... the Calisto Pro Series Home phone with multi-function Bluetooth headset by Plantronics ($279.99). It’s a hands-free home office phone system that can seamlessly transition between your landline, cell phone, and VOIP (like Skype).

The Calisto Pro comes with a Bluetooth headset so you can walk around and hold the baby, without having to precariously balance the phone in between your shoulder and your neck.

The Calisto Pro Series also allows you to download your contacts from Outlook or your Apple Address Book quickly and easily so that you’ll know who is calling.

MY TAKE: I pretty much use my iPhone for EVERYTHING and I don’t talk on the phone much…so I don’t really need this type of product, but I think it would be perfect for a person who spends a large quantity of time on the phone – at home or on the road. It would be even better if the base was completely wireless, but it’s still a pretty neat item for a busy home office.

YOUR TURN: What tactics do you use to keep your children quiet when you have to make business calls or other important calls that require your immediate attention?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Calisto Pro series Home phone with multi-function Bluetooth headset ($279.99). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, June 23 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #179 Courtney. Congratulations!

FOR THE CONNECTED DAD: Voyager Pro by Plantronics

My husband talks on the phone A LOT.

His phone is *always* ringing. Partly because he’s a popular, likable kind of guy. And partly because he makes an effort to stay in touch with other people so people are often returning HIS phone calls.

He also makes tons of calls for business purposes – in the office, at home, and on the road.

I, on the other hand, tend to shy away from the phone. I’d much rather text or e-mail or meet up with you for coffee.

The truth is that it’s hard to concentrate on the phone, while I’m holding a baby, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and checking my e-mail…not to mention, I’m a tad bit distracted by the squeals and screeches of delight and/or devastation that manage to escape my two-year-old’s mouth.

Because my husband uses the phone a lot, a bluetooth headset is a handy gadget for him to have around.

He has tried several bluetooth headsets and has been rather unimpressed with all of them. They all have that echo-y quality that makes the person on the other end say, “Am I on speaker phone?”

But not the new Voyager PRO ($99.99) by Plantronics.

It has exceptional sound quality – for crisp, clear, undistracted conversations. The batteries also last quite a long time. It’s comfortable and professional – an excellent choice for any dad who is constantly making “connections” with the world around him.

My husband uses his PRO every single day and has an overall positive impression of it. In fact, he’s wearing it right now.

YOUR TURN: Just out of curiosity, who talks more on the phone…you or your husband? Do you prefer talking on the phone, texting, e-mailing, or in-person meetings?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Voyager PRO by Plantronics ($99.95). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, June 8 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).