Hello! I am new here, 1st post actually! This is a topic that my kids just don't understand. My husband and I usually UNPLUG the phone at dinner-time. If we forget, the answering machine picks up the call. If it is important, they will leave a message. 99% of the time, it is for the kids, hence, the arguing over the phone...and our displeasure of it ringing at dinner-time. It seems that my boys's friends don't sit down to dinner every evening like we do...pity. Just my 2 cents...back to the forums...lots to read here! Megan