Double Duty from Telephone Time

The demands of a special church calling required many hours each day on the telephone. At first, while my mind was constantly on the spiritual needs of the sisters in our ward, my eyes were constantly drawn to my accumulating housework. Frustrations mounted. What was my solution? Doing two jobs at once.

Each time the phone rings, I pick up the long-corded kitchen extension and begin house cleaning. I straighten drawers, wash dishes, clean cupboards, mop and wax floors, and dust. Also, I now save my less urgent homemaking chores for a phone call and purposely place them by the phone or in a strategic closet. When I’m on the phone I fold diapers, shine shoes, polish silver, sew on buttons, knit, and crochet.

Another problem I had with the telephone was that its ring seemed to trigger the children’s misbehavior button. So I keep an interesting book or surprise activity in a drawer or closet near the phone. When one of the children becomes restless or demanding while I’m on the phone, I motion him to come and sit on my lap, and we flip through a picture album or story book, or I hand out sewing cards. Sometimes I gather restless children around the table (by motioning or excusing myself briefly) and hand out a surprise activity: play dough, finger paint, stickers to stick, old magazines and scissors, or even pencils and paper. Or I open a box of blocks, string beads, tinker toys, or play money and place it on the floor nearby.

Anyone with a telephone can use that telephoning time for her children or her home. Sandy Petty Hobbs, Arlington, Virginia