Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Friday, May 26, 2017

Phunctional Phone Phun

My 'Creative Parenting 101' Professor
When Dad spoke. We listened.
Most of the time.
One ignored my father at one's own risk.
Let me tell you about it . . .
I had a boyfriend.
It was a new and exciting experience for me.
We would say good-bye at the school bus stop, get on our respective buses and head for home.
Fifty minutes later, we would be on the phone.
Talking.
For hours.
Literally.
I should point out here that, in the 1960s, we had one phone line to the ranch.
And, because we were ultra-modern and progressive, two phones on that line.
One in the kitchen.
And one in my parents bedroom.
The epitome of modern convenience.
Back to my story . . .
I don't know what we found to talk about. But talk, we did. Until one or both of us was tagged for chores.
Or supper was announced.
Or our parents got annoyed.
My Mom was usually quite predictable, saying such things as, “Diane! Get off the phone! You've been on there for an hour!”
To which I would comply.
Eventually.
And under protest.
My Dad was a little more creative.
He would walk in the door, see me there on the phone, note the time, and leave the room.
That was my cue.
And my only warning.
I had seconds to say my good-byes. 
Because Dad wanted me off the phone. And I wasn't going to like his methods.
They were . . . effective.
He would simply walk into his bedroom and turn on the radio.
Loudly.
Then take the phone receiver and lay it down beside said radio.
If I hadn't already ended my conversation, I did so then.
With a shouted good-bye and hastily cradled phone.
Mission accomplished.
Simply and elegantly, without a word being spoken.
Genius.

9 comments:

  1. Gotta love it, creative parenting at its best!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it was only "phun" for your "phather" :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. A look from my father was enough. Always.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You should add one word before genius...creative!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I always liked the way our neighbors handled the calls. Someone would phone asking if one of the girls was home. The dad would say: "Yep." Then promptly hang up....

    ReplyDelete
  6. So funny---my dad was the same way. Nowadays when the kids are on their cells too long, my hubs shouts out real loud, "WERE YOU THE LAST ONE TO USE THE TOILET? BECAUSE IT'S CLOGGED!"

    ReplyDelete

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