Mom's answering machine -- Help!!!

[FergieTCat]

My mom's answering machine still has my dad's voice on it. Which would be all well and good, except he passed away at the end of May. I sometimes only let the phone ring 2 or 3 times so I can avoid hearing the machine, but my mom tells me that she often can't get to the phone in 2 or 3 rings.

I don't know if she hasn't changed the message because it makes her feel better, or if she doesn't know how (it's a 50/50 on this one). Can anyone think of a tactful way to deal with this?

 

[newmousecateer]

I would just ask her, "Mom, would you like to change the greeting on your voicemail?" and let her take it from there. She may feel better knowing that when strangers call they think there is still a man in the house. If that is the case, offer to have your DH record his voice.

 

[December99]

She also may feel intimidated working with the machine. Perhaps do it with her - you push the buttons and she can record the message.

 

[nativetxn]

My husband offered, and made, a new recording for his aunt after her husband died.

It made her feel a little more secure with a man's voice on the recording.

When she felt better about her loss, she made her own recording.

Sometimes it's a good thing to have a male voice on a answering machine recording. Sad, but true

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

A suggestion... let her record her own message, but have her say something like.....

"We can't come to the phone right now....."

The WE is important... just like the man's voice would be.

 

[CarolA]

Umm... maybe your Mom just likes having the sound of your Dad's voice still around. I would not force her to change it.

 

[Boots]

Could you take the tape off and keep it so if she ever wants it she will have it? We don't have an answering machine, so I don't know that much about them.