This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Sprint
How you keep the lines of communication open with your children as they grow older and gain more freedom.
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The entire idea of cell phones is preposterous!
Carrying around a means of communication in your pocket when people used to use street lamps is really quite the deal.
At 8 years old {many, many,many moons ago} I could be climbing mountains in Taiwan or slaying dragons in a battle or being a mermaid under the sea – but once the street lights began to flicker on, I had best high-tail it home or risk having all the skin filleted from my thighs.
Nowadays, minute to second communication is a must.
When my son turned 8 years old, he began begging for his own cell phone. I related my story to him. He cried. He had no idea that making a phone call in my era was a precursor to the emergency room. My mom would answer the call with “You better be dead” or “You wasted a dime, you better be dead”.
After circulating my very responsible and incredibly academic son's request around other moms at his school, I began to see it for the tool it was.
I then began to actually contemplate the idea and began to think:
*It would be nice to let him know when I am running late so he is not nervously waiting for me.
*It would be nice if he decided he would like to go home with a friend, he could obtain immediate confirmation.
*If I forgot his lunch I could find out before noon and let him know I am on my way.
*I could text him in stores if I felt brave enough to let him go down the aisle. Or maybe, if I thought he needed a smile, I could text him one.
Sappy as it sounds, I LIKE my kid and would enjoy communicating with him every second of the day!
All of the things many parents, including myself, deal with {or sometimes without} can now be readily amended. Not to mention we can address safety concerns with Global Positioning System.
Five years have passed since I made the decision to add an additional SPRINT line to my phone just for my kid.
He has lost it once {baseball practice}, dropped it the commode once {don't ask, but it dried out quite nicely, no need for repair} and has upgraded so much – well, let's just say, I would REALLY like the Pre but someone has the Instinct – but that's just fine by me. I know he is alive, I can share my day with him and thank goodness for NO DROPPED calls! THANKS SPRINT.
What are some of your thoughts regarding cell phones and kids? How do you keep the lines of communication open with your children as they grow older and gain more freedom.
Share your comments with me and enter to win a $200 Visa Gift Card!
To enter, leave me a comment below and tell me [something about communication with your kids] - or you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below. The contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. (PST) August 10, 2009 and will end 5:00 p.m. (PST) September 4, 2009. Make sure the e-mail address you leave is correct.
Rules:
*No duplicate comments.
*You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
*You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
*This giveaway is open to US-residents, 18 and over
*Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
*You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
*Please see the official rules here: * Official Rules
Check out how other BlogHer Reviewers keep lines of communication open with their growing kids - you've got 8 other chances to win a $200 Visa gift card!
Find more info for keeping in touch with your kids here.
Comments are now closed. THANK YOU!
263 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 263 of 263When mine get older, they will definitely have cell phones. I want to know where they're at and if they are ever in trouble for whatever reason, I want them to know they can come to me.
fefebelkin(at)live[dot]com
Some of my thoughts regarding cell phones and kids are that each family will have their own individual unique rules and ideas about this issue so companies like Sprint, AT&T, etc. need to create lots of different plans so that when parents are shopping for a plan that fits into their lifestyle and the needs for their kids they have plenty of options to choose from. My personal feeling is that I want to be in complete control over who my children can call, who they can text, how long they can talk/text, and I want to be able to monitor their usage and know where they are when they are talking on their cell phone. My son is only 7 years old, but I want him to have a cell phone on him for emergencies and/or special situations that may arise. But he is way too young to have complete control and freedom with a cell phone. I totally trust my children, they are good kids, and I want to keep the lines of communication open so they feel they can come to me and discuss anything they want at anytime. But, there are influences outside of my control, so as a parent I need to feel in control of some aspects of their life in order to protect them. As they grow older, I will adjust my thinking appropriately as elements around them and me change as well.
My other children are still a little too young for their own cell phones, but my son is going to get one any time now. We are just beginning to research different plans, etc. So, it is fun to read what others have said here, the information has been very useful!
Thanks so much for the chance to enter.
joannaonthelake@gmail.com
I Sent out a tweet:
http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/3742966114
joannaonthelake@gmail.com
I Blogged about this giveaway on my blog:
http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/09/healthier-happier-you-reviews-sprint.html
joannaonthelake@gmail.com
We all have cell phone to stay connected. My kids also know that they can come to me and talk to me about anything. I feel it takes a special connection between us that allows them to feel comfortable to do this.
kathyluman@gmail.com
2 of my older children attend school out of town so we have a family plan with unlimited texting. They text about anything and it keeps us connected on a daily basis.
I think when kids are old enough and responsible, they could have a cell. Having them know that they can talk to you about anything and not judge them but act in a lovely manner.
My kids haven't really gotten into the phone craze.
With Wee Man I ask him everyday what he did at school… What he did or didn’t like… I also try to inforce a “if you tell him I would be mad rule” Which is hard to do but it’s working and he tells me things even when he knows he will get in trouble (well most of the time he does)
NICE!
Here's a link to my blog entry in which I posted my thoughts about keeping the lines of communication open: http://slavetoacademia.blogspot.com/2009/09/keeping-lines-of-communication-open.html
gkaufmanss@yahoo.com
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/guettel78/status/3748307909
gkaufmanss@yahoo.com
I blogged about the giveaway: http://slavetoacademia.blogspot.com/2009/09/200-visa-gc-giveaway-at-healthier.html
gkaufmanss@yahoo.com
Dinner time is one of the few times we are all together as a family so it's a great time to talk about how our days were and what is going on. My kids aren't real talkative so I ask them specific questions.
We did have Trac Phones, but we just recently got on a fmaily plan! We hope this will work for us! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net
i call my nieces and nephew on the phone weekly to chit chat with them. i like to hear about what is going on in their life.
we keep the lines of communication open by eating dinner together as a family every night, no tv, i think it keeps everyone talking
we have 2 older children that live 1200 miles from us as they are over 18 and we have 2 that still live at home under 18. My husband and I don't have a cell phone either does are oldest son or our 2 youngest. We basically rely on our home phone, snail mail or email to communicate. My kids are always asking for a cell phone but money is tight and my husband will not commit to contracts and we have had bad experience's with one cell phone company.
We communicate basically like they did in the olden days we talk at home and discuss the following days plans and the times school activities are over and when they need picked up.
There is also a school phone for sudden time changes, I'm home all day and night so within easy reach.
I ask my son questions on a daily basis. I ask him every day after school what his day was like. I also make sure we have dinner together every night to discuss what is happening the next day. I always check to make sure his homework is done every day too. I have always checked out his friends and who he is hanging around with.
I think it's best to to lead be example. Be open and honest with your kids and encourage the to be open and honest with you.
I think cell phones are good for safety reasons, but limits need to be set with ground rules laid out. Always keep an open mind and ears that are ready to listen to keep the communications lines open!
tweeted http://twitter.com/ThriftyJinxy/status/3751322627
I blogged about your contest here: http://winwithjinxy.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-200-visa-gift-card.html
I have a 16 yr old son and I always have him call me from where he's at when he arrives and when he is about to come back home. He has the tracfone for now, he's used the other kinds in the past as well. letessha@yahoo.com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/dahliamomma/status/3751701348
Thanks for the giveaway…in addition to the ubiquitous cell phones that have taken over our lives, we have kept open lines of communication with our daughters by having a policy of discussing EVERYTHING with them out in the open; they can come to myself or my wife knowing that no topic is off limits, and that they won’t be “in trouble” or that something confided “can and will be used against them”.
It also helps that they have uncles, aunts, and godparents relatively closeby that they can talk to, and trust, as well.
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/3752015889
dreamzz12{at}aol{dot}com
Our daughter shares my cell phone with me. She takes it to school, on school functions, and when she goes out with friends. We feel that it does provide a useful means of easy contact in case she runs into problems. Thanks!
My kids all have cell phones. We have a family plan and this way we can stay connected to each other in case of emergencies or if we just feel like chatting.
Since none of have cell phones(they are too costly for our meager budget) we either phone(landline) or write a note. Must be nice and convemient to have a phone always by your side with a cell phone but ah well, maybe one day
My kids are 14 & 11. We are very close and talk about anything. Recently, I got the Sprint family plan with texting. When one of us is not home, we text or call. Keeping the lines of communication open is very important in our house.
Thank you for the great giveaway!!
JH33194(underscore)2002(at)yahoo.com
My girls are still young but we talk about everything. I don't remember ever talking with my parents the way I do with my girls. I hope they remember this and are able to talk to me when they are older.
My daughter is still young, and right now I tell her that she can tell me anything at all. I hope that she will know that and believe it and continue to tell me things as she grows up. Every night at dinner we talk about what she did that day at school, and every night after we read a book, she tells me even more. I want to keep doing it this way, and for her to trust that she can always tell me what is going on.
My kids carry cell phones so they can check in and I can call them
Well, when we or they go out we always have our cell phones to make sure we can get a hold of each other. But on top of that my husband and I are always available for them to talk them and put aside anything we are doing to show them they are number one with us. They know we will do anything to help them and we do so we are there for them.
My kids are still young so we talk daily at the diner table.Thanks!
Tweet!http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/3759905809
I blogged here:http://forums.online-sweepstakes.com/blog.php?b=1642
I'm from the generation of pay phones on every corner so cell phones for children is a hard concept for me to accept. My children and I talk frequently even though they are adults with children and grandchildren of their own. I think that being open and honest is the priority no matter what method of communication you choose.
I really think that you need to feel that your child is responsible enough to use, not abuse, and certainly not lose a cell phone. Until that time, relying on land line phones is fine.
Thanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.
tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/3760453882
email in blogger profile.
My 9 and almost 11 year old do not have their own cell phones although they would love to. My daughter can always take my cell phone when the occasion arises that I need to be able to contact her and call me on her step-dad's phone. We e-mail each other and you'd be amazed what you can find out about your kids lives if you just ask.
Well, don't all kids have cell phones today. How things have changed since I was their age.
We gave our oldest a prepaid cell phone. We did this to keep costs to a minimum and to force her to have some responsibility when using it.
blogged the giveaway
http://ardy22.blogspot.com/2009/09/sprint-say-what-cell-for-kids-giveaway.html
tweeted
http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/3761324569
My son started middle school this year and had a few trips away from us over the summer so we got him a cell phone. We hope that it helps him to feel more comfortable being away from us because he knows he can contact us at any time. Beyond that, we sit down every night over dinner and talk about our days, etc. And we always answer our kids' questions honestltly.
tlannan30[at]yahoo[dot]com
My girls are 16 - 26 so they are always on the go. They are always needing rides or to meet up, etc it is a must for them to be able to contact me and each other so we can all coordinate schedules.
Plus we are such dorks we text or im each other even when we are in the same room. Technology rocks!
http://twitter.com/dddiva/status/3762496151
I keep the lines of communication open with my adult children by respecting their privacy and not sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. They know they can come to me and I will be there when they just want someone to listen while they vent as well as if they are looking for advice.
longbarb1@aol.com
I don't think kids need to have cell phones until they're old enough to pay for them with their own money.
I have no kids. The way I connect with people is to give them my complete attention and really listen to what they are saying (and not saying).
I have a set time with each daughter before bed everynight. It usually lasts 20-30 minutes each. I hang out in there room. There is never a set topic – we just go with the flow of conversation
I think unlimited texting is not good - it can get addictive and consume their lives. I had to shut off my older one's texting - she would eve n text while she ate.
I let my kids speak freely-no interruptions!
mzpaw@yahoo.com
I have no kids. The way I connect with people is to give them my complete attention and really listen to what they are saying (and not saying).
tweet: http://twitter.com/slehan/status/3766360123
Blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2009/09/can-i-use-200-visa-card.html
My son is recently married so we communicate on the phone and with e-mails and when we get together. Thank you!
We text each other,daily. It's the easiest way to stay in touch. Thanks
charisscharity at yahoo dot com
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/3767057865
We talk every night over dinner. We take turns asking 1 question tot he table for everyone to answer, it works for our family!
My husband and I constantly tell our kids that there isn’t anything that they could do that would stop us from loving them, so the line of communication is always open. But in case they feel that they can’t come to us, we have several extended family members and friends that we want them to talk to them in those times.
My daughter always calls me when she leaves for school so I can tell her to have a good day and when she gets home from school to tell me about her day - you have to show your kids you care about them by talking and listening to them!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com
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