Cell phones

Cassandra - posted on 01/05/2010

I got all of my kids cellphones. We have unlimited texting but limited call time. They have abided by the limits and have done fine. I do have some rules and regulations that go with the phones and if they aren't followed I take them for a set amount of time. If he's breaking rules, take it away for awhile. If you feel he's going overboard you can always set limits and restrictions for the phone. Have him hand it over at a certain time for the evening if you want him to do other things for awhile.

Kristi - posted on 01/04/2010

Take the phone from him or have the company turn off texting to his phone!

Linda - posted on 01/03/2010

if you have Verizon..they have a great parental control system. I can set time limits on my kids phones....I set it to go off at 10:pm to go on at 6:45am.. the it goes off at 4p - 8pm for homework...my kids are 13 and 15....weekends they get longer hours..and no 4 hr day restrictions.
If you don't have this available in your calling plan. Make him hand in his phone before bedtime and give it back in the morning. also..before and after homework. I tell my kids..l.hand it in now or I shut it off for 1 month! I get it every time.
Gotta be a hard nose...I'm the Mom ...Its my job!

Heather - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting Shannon:

Cell phones

What do you do when your son is glued to his phone texting day and night?

How old is he? What grade is he in? Does he do well in school? Does he do his chores when he is supposed to? Do you have rules about when it isn't appropriate to have his phone on him?(ie. dinner table)

I think you have to figure out what your rules are? and what you wnnt from him as far as cell use goes.Then, put them on paper and stick to it. Having a set of expectations that all are aware of takes alot of the "arguements" away fromt the teen.

If he doesn't obey then you should start taking the "PRIVILEGE" away. 

Some plans also have it so you can lock the times that there line can be used. Some also have that you can cap how many texts per day that you can limit and some you can also check everything that they are texting and read them all.

Check your plan to see how much parental controls you have over their line.

Tammy - posted on 01/02/2010

My husband and I pay for our children's phone. We have three children left at home, and they did not get a phone until they turned 13. We have unlimited texting, so they can text all they want. If they stay up late at night texting (especially on a school night), then they lose their phone for a day. They know the rules and they know they better abide by them. Our daughter is on a traveling softball team, she is in all kinds of school activities and she gets straight A's, she is in 10th grade. Our son who is 13, plays football, and also does mat wrestling, he also gets straight A's. They do not text at the dinner table, or when we are doing a family activity. If you set the rules and boundries now, then you will not have trouble later. Be consistant.

Kim - posted on 01/02/2010

I'm assuming that you purchased it for him so therefore you have the right to set the rules. Have him turn the phone in to you after school until dinner, homework, family time is finished. Let him have it for a few hours before bedtime, but then have him hand it back into you for safekeeping overnight. If he abuses it and doesn't want to play by the rules, take it away and have him earn it back (perhaps for an hour or so) each day. It sounds like this is his "currency" and you have to use it to your advantage.

Roberta - posted on 01/02/2010

I have a 15 yr old and 11 yr old and the oldest is on his phone texting alot. He never goes over his minutes and I went ahead and paid extra for the unlimited texting. He still does his homework and gets good grades in school. He still does other stuff that teen boys do...go to gym, play video games, watch movies, hang with friends. I guess the texting doesnt bother me as long as he isnt doing it at the dinner table! That is time just for us. If he stays up too late texting, and doesnt want to get out of bed to go to school then the phone should be taken away for awhile. Other then that...i guess i do not really have a prob with it. Of course until he is 18 I also can pick up his phone and check messages or phone contacts at any time because it technically is my phone and I have that right...and my sons are ok with that.

Tracy - posted on 01/01/2010

Take it from him and remind him who has control over the cell phone.

Andrea - posted on 01/01/2010

I agree.... choose your battles. We have unlimited texting on our plan so that's not an issue. If they go over minutes, they have to pay for them but they rarely use the minutes as they prefer to text. They get good grades, so what they're supposed to (most of the time), so what's the harm in them texting???

Amy - posted on 01/01/2010

All of my kids got a cellphone once they turned 11. They are still pretty much glued to it, and as long as they get out and do other things, I have no problem with it. It's natural. It's the thing for kids to do these days. Pick your battles. As long as they continue to get their homework done, grades don't drop, chores are done, etc...don't worry about it.

Maria - posted on 12/31/2009

First of all, my husband and I have already set the rules down that we're on a family plan, so we know who went over their limit when the monthly statement comes. Until they start paying for their phone bills, they can text whenever they want, however long they want, whomever they want. Until then, since we're paying the bills, abide by the rules. If you go over the limit, that's it. Limit calls to emergency, and all texts up to a certain time once you get home. Once they've gone over, they work out a deal to pay for the minutes they've gone over, monetary or in kind.

Angie - posted on 12/31/2009

Take his cell phone away.