Lessons the toddler teaches us
Sep. 8th, 2004 12:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwywnnyddOne must be very aware of developmental levels, when attempting the "*this* is your toy, *that* is mine-that-looks-just-like-yours" method of toy training.
Take cell phones, for example.
Did you know that, using only one's teeth, it is possible to A) turn on a cell phone, B) Dial Austria, and C) maintain contact for up to four minutes before breaking the connection? We do. Now.
Daddy gave Bug the old cell phone, in an attempt to keep him from getting at our newer ones (I don't think this tactic will be successful). In theory, service had been suspended for that unit. It still had a charge, but should only have been able to connect with 911 and the Verizon operators. Bug thought this made a wonderful chew toy. We thought it was cute, watching him gnaw at it, turning it around and around to be able to chew the entire thing. Then, we got the cell bill.
Did you know that four minute call to Austria costs $60? We do. Now.
Murphy was watching my son that day. This is the only explanation. Murphy made it possible for Bug to bite down on the power button *and hold it* long enough to turn on the phone. Murphy made it possible for my son to, completely randomly, hit the number buttons in the correct order to access an international call *and get a working number*. And Murphy had whoever was on the other end of that valid number pick up, and listen to my son chewing on the reciever for four minutes, before he managed to bite on the power button again and disconnect the call.
The only saving grace, was Verizon (finally) admitted that they screwed up by not disconnecting service to that unit, and ate the cost of the call.
Take cell phones, for example.
Did you know that, using only one's teeth, it is possible to A) turn on a cell phone, B) Dial Austria, and C) maintain contact for up to four minutes before breaking the connection? We do. Now.
Daddy gave Bug the old cell phone, in an attempt to keep him from getting at our newer ones (I don't think this tactic will be successful). In theory, service had been suspended for that unit. It still had a charge, but should only have been able to connect with 911 and the Verizon operators. Bug thought this made a wonderful chew toy. We thought it was cute, watching him gnaw at it, turning it around and around to be able to chew the entire thing. Then, we got the cell bill.
Did you know that four minute call to Austria costs $60? We do. Now.
Murphy was watching my son that day. This is the only explanation. Murphy made it possible for Bug to bite down on the power button *and hold it* long enough to turn on the phone. Murphy made it possible for my son to, completely randomly, hit the number buttons in the correct order to access an international call *and get a working number*. And Murphy had whoever was on the other end of that valid number pick up, and listen to my son chewing on the reciever for four minutes, before he managed to bite on the power button again and disconnect the call.
The only saving grace, was Verizon (finally) admitted that they screwed up by not disconnecting service to that unit, and ate the cost of the call.
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no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 12:28 pm (UTC)I've often thought that children are the best testers...they don't think about what it is supposed to do. They just do it.
That's pretty spendy...good thing Verizon came clean.
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Date: 2004-09-08 12:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 12:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 07:04 pm (UTC)In a few years, I probably won't think it's so funny. I'm laughing while I still can. :)
no subject
Date: 2004-09-08 11:12 pm (UTC)Wait till he starts coding.