Vote yes or no for having kids hand in cell phones at bedtime. Thanks!

Tammy - posted on 02/19/2012

I take my kids cell phones at bedtime. I make sure they are plugged in and resynced to the computer. This ensures that they have a full batter for the next day plus they put assignments and any schedules into the cell phone and then I have them on my computer calendar.



Helps us all keep tabs on what is going on and it helps them stay on top of their schedule if they know from day to day what is on the calendar whether it be for them or not.

Sarah - posted on 02/17/2012

No if you can trust her..

Sherri - posted on 02/10/2012

Take it away for what Shauna?? Elizabeth hasn't even said her daughter has done anything wrong.

Lydia - posted on 02/08/2012

Yes they do not need a cell phone at night.

Fiona - posted on 02/06/2012

Yes.

Even the parents lol.

Going to bed = going to sleep.

Jennifer - posted on 02/06/2012

DD uses her alarm on her cell as a back up in case I over sleep my alarm or she over sleeps hers. However it's not in bed with her, it's on the table next to her bed.

Tammy - posted on 02/06/2012

Yes..the child should hand over the cell phone at bed time because they are to be sleeping not talking and there could be awrong number called to that phone that would disturb the childs much needed rest

Terry - posted on 02/06/2012

yes. The kids are too hooked on them.

Diana - posted on 02/06/2012

My 11 year old has a cell phone. We don't take it away at night, she actually voluntarily leaves it on the kitchen counter so that she doesn't forget it in the morning before school. She is exceptionally responsible for her age. She also knows that we check her phone periodically. (It's not always what you say but how you say it.)



Sometimes she will take it in with her if there is a storm so that she can set the alarm because she is afraid the electric might go out.



I can tell you that if texting/calling were a problem after lights out, I would definitely require that her phone be turned in before bed.

Alisha - posted on 02/06/2012

Yes! You are the parent and you don't have to prove to her she needs to follow your rules. It is the way it is! You can explain your reasons for doing it but its not a duscussion or negotiation.

Cassie - posted on 02/06/2012

my boyfriend 11 year old brothe lives with us and we got him a cell when he moved in. But its for when he's at his frinds or goes to the park. He has it at night to use as an alarm but knows if he plays with it he won't be able to have it anymore.

Alison - posted on 02/05/2012

My son, 12 y/o has plain cell, no longer with texting. He wouldn't make calls but he would text, so instead of taking the phone I took away texting. The cell for a child in our house is for emergencies, only reason he has one was because he occasionally walks home from school. I got it when he was 8 & it had a gps tracker for his safety. So i agree, take it away or take the fun out of it at night.

Amanda - posted on 02/05/2012

My daughter is not allowed to text or talk on the phone at night, however, we do not take possesion of her phone. We have to 'trust' she is doing the right thing. Yep, we check the monthly statements - they tell ya exactly what time a phone call is made (same with texts). We haven't had a problem yet.



The other day, i read an article about how teens text so much some are now texting in their sleep! The sad part is, they are not aware of the messages they sent and when questioned about them, the texts are non-sense since they were sleeping!

Melanie - posted on 02/05/2012

Yes, my kids will play games or txt all night if I don't take them up. Of course my oldest gets to hang onto his when he's been responsible with it.

Joy - posted on 02/05/2012

Kim--not all teens are irresponsible. Just as not all adults are adults; not all 2 yos go through the terrible twos, etc.



Chris

Renee - posted on 02/05/2012

I didn't get my first phone till I was 19 and I had to pay for it and he credit myself, my kids won't be getting any till they are about that age, and I had to leave it on the kitchen bench (because that was where the phone was) and answer calls there as that I wouldn't be detracted with homework etc

Kymberly - posted on 02/05/2012

Neither child got a cell phone until in college....so tell her that rule and perhaps she won't think the 'turn it in at bedtime' is so horrible!

Colleen - posted on 02/05/2012

i think that taking away your child's cell phone at night time is okay.....i also think it is the same as their DS's

Viridiana - posted on 02/05/2012

yes and at dinnertime too!

Odine - posted on 02/05/2012

No cell at bedtime & until all homeworks are done. On weekends, it's okay to just let them have their cell the entire time.

Andrea - posted on 02/05/2012

my younger brother is 16 just got a phone since he started driving and it only stays downstairs - bedrooms are upstairs. School and chores have to be done before he can use it - they don't take it from him as he is responsible in following the rules.

My 14 yr old brother doesn't have his own phone yet but is allowed to use his brothers.

In fact none of us older kids (six kids total in the family) got a phone until we were at least 16.

Chris - posted on 02/05/2012

Exactly, Rose. Innocent until proven guilty.



Chris

Cathy - posted on 02/05/2012

I have 3 children ages 17, 15, & 12. They all turn in their phones at bedtime. We have established a docking station they are responsible for turning in the phone to the docking station each night. If they do not than they lose the phone for the next 24 hours. They have not lost their phones yet since we stared this. Everyone needs some time to break away from the world and bedtime is one of those times.

Kim - posted on 02/04/2012

Yes. It takes the temptation away as they have little or no self control as a teenager

Rose-Marie - posted on 02/04/2012

My kids use to be allowed to have there phone charge in the room with them :-P but since there friends started texting late. .. Their phones charge in the living room now. .. The one who have phones are 14 & 12 (almost 13)

Rose-Marie - posted on 02/04/2012

My kids use to be allowed to have there phone charge in the room with them :-P but since there friends started texting late. .. Their phones charge in the living room now. .. The one who have phones are 14 & 12 (almost 13)

Chris - posted on 02/04/2012

I found that teens live up to (or down to) their parents' expectations. Many of you say the phone is given up at bed time, others at 7:30. When is your teen's bedtime? When will you lighten up with the rules? There is a vast gulf between a 13 yo and an 18 yo. An 18 yo is still a teen but, in the eyes of the law, they are an adult.



Chris

Brenda - posted on 02/04/2012

YES My daughter is comming 7 and she want's a cell phone, I said no way!!!!!!!! our kids are trying to grow up to fast these days..

Joanna - posted on 02/04/2012

I was totally against him getting one at first. But then I was in a car accident leaving from work one day to get him and had no way of letting him know I was going to be late. I was paranoid at first after I gave it to him about the minutes and texts. But he has done really good. His friends don't call during the week unless they are having a math night at the school, and the only people he texts is me, his aunt, great-uncle, 2 cousins and grandma. I do have to say I am really proud of him.

Sherri - posted on 02/04/2012

Ahhhh ya we don't have any true neighbors, so zero opportunity to do any of that great stuff your son is able and to get a job over the table you have to be 16. no one will hire before 16. I have to say my kids would be very envious.

Joanna - posted on 02/04/2012

@ Sherri He gets no allowance from me. When he goes to his grandmas on the weekend he helps the neighbors shovel, pick up leafs, mow. He also makes money by picking up cans in our neighborhood. He averages about 30 a month. What ever is left over after he pays his bill he splits half into savings and the rest for what ever else he wants. He has always been the type of kid that want's to make money. When he was 4 he asked me if he could make Christmas cards and sell them to neighbors so he could make money to buy me and his grandma a Christmas. I know times are different now but when I was 6 I started working on a farm to make money for things I wanted. And had my first job (taxes taken) when I was 13 as a busser and have been working ever since.

Sherri - posted on 02/04/2012

@Joanna how possibly can a 9yr old pay for a cell phone himself?? My 13 & 14 yr old wouldn't be able to do that. I am going to bet he gets some kind of allowance where mine do not. The only money my kids have that is theirs is money they may have received for their birthday's or Christmas.

Darylin - posted on 02/04/2012

My daughter is only 5, but I don't see what the problem is...take it away at bed time, why would she need it? We have our cell phones set to auto shut off at 8pm and turn back on at 7am. I'm sure that same setting once our daughter gets her cell phone.

Darylin - posted on 02/04/2012

My daughter is only 5, but I don't see what the problem is...take it away at bed time, why would she need it? We have our cell phones set to auto shut off at 8pm and turn back on at 7am. I'm sure that same setting once our daughter gets her cell phone.

Joanna - posted on 02/04/2012

I got my son a phone more as an emergency thing, and also if 305pm hits and I'm not there i could call and let him know i would be late. There were a couple times i would be almost 30minutes late and he would be waiting. The rules are as soon as he walks into school he hands the phone to the principal, as soon as the last bell rings for the day he goes and gets it from her. He will play a game on the phone on the drive home. When we walk in the front door he hands over the phone until the next day. I leave the phone turned on til 730pm incase one of his friends call. Also lets me monitor his calls. After 730pm the phone is turned off till the next day. He is only 9 and has had the phone for about a year. It costs about $13 a month with taxes and he pays for every bit of it himself.

Pamela - posted on 02/04/2012

Yes!!! Phones are not for use after a certain time when children should be getting their rest. Take it away at night and give it back in the morning.

Amanda - posted on 02/04/2012

My son is 14 and I take his away at bedtime... I also take it away after school until homework and chores are done.

Sally - posted on 02/04/2012

sorry just saw your daughter is 12 so yes take it away at bedtime. I did wirh my son.

Sally - posted on 02/04/2012

I don't take my sons(15) but he knows that if he doesn't get up for school , i will. Its a matter of trusting him. You don't say age or why you want to take it. Think it would be easier to say yes or no if i knew this

Edith - posted on 02/04/2012

Nothing made me madder than children calling my house after the cut off time. When I talk to the parents often I was told they could do nothing to stop their child calling all times of night. If they are responsible enough to set time limits and stick to it let them keep it but if they can not obay the rules take it. I use mine as a clock too but I do not talk on it in bed.

Stephanie - posted on 02/04/2012

Yes! My SD hands in her phone at bed time on school nights and we also turn off the wirelss internet in the house so that she can listen to music on her Ipod while she falls asleep. It's not that we don't trust her, but kids are kids and at least this way we know she won't be tempted to send one more text or check Facebook just one more time.

SarahBeth - posted on 02/04/2012

I vote no. Tell her you trust her NOT to use it. Check the usage from time to time, it is on your bill. if she violates trust - take the phone away.

Naomi - posted on 02/04/2012

yes!!!

Diane - posted on 02/04/2012

Yes - the phone is to be on the counter, charging, by 10:00 pm. It just takes away any temptation.

Alicia - posted on 02/04/2012

I vot yes because at a young mother it has only been a few years since i myself have stayed awake till 3am talking on my cellphone. So YES YES YES take away the phone

Caroline - posted on 02/04/2012

My son is 14 and i take his phone off him at night... your doing the right thing

Carina - posted on 02/04/2012

I just want to say, the age is very important before you make a decision. My now 15 yo had a cell phone, it only has certain minutes and she is allowed to use mostly for emergencies... She cannot talk at nights, or chat. She knows that after 9 pm she can even talk in the house phone or receive phone calls. My other sons that are 10 and 11 are always asking when they will have cellphones, facebook accounts, etc. I think when they go to Middle School they should have one in case of emergencies... but returning to your question.... at that age they should turn the phone off, they need to take some rest for the hectic day at school, sports, etc.

Janice - posted on 02/04/2012

We have a 14 yr old daughter and a 10 yr old son. Daughter in high school, has a cell phone. Our son does not. He will when he gets into high school. NOT BEFORE, as he is always with an adult or his sister, so he has access to a phone, and we have a house phone.

RULES:

No electronics in the bedroom, only exception is a radio or MP3 player. No tvs in the bedroom, no cell phone, no laptop, and NO VIDEO GAMES in the bedroom (even the DS).

All equipment is charged in the livingroom at night. No exceptions.

No electronics except music is on before 9am: no cell calls, no texting, no computer no video games. Includes weekends.

Cell phone may be taken to school, but I got to the internet and block incoming texts and calls except from me or my husband to my daughter's phone during school hours. She can only text us as well.

No unlimited ANYTHING. I create the limits.

30 minutes before bedtime, all electronics are shut down, and you must relax. That includes watching tv in the family room. The last 30 minutes is time to relax: read a book, write something, color, sit in the dark. Anything calming.

And NO CALLS OR TEXTS while we are eating. Nothing is that important in a text can not wait.

Want to argue rules, or try to get my to reconsider.. SURE, but you will not like my answers.

Susan (Jimmie's Aunt Susie) - posted on 02/04/2012

lol My kids didn't even have a cell phone until they turned 18. If they had, yes I would have had rules for it. They wouldn't have had internet or texting either as I had that turned off on our service altogether because I wasn't going to pay for that. My husband and I didn't use it so it wasn't needed. They definitely couldn't have had it after bedtime.



Legally parents are required to provide a nutritious meal, a bed and basic clothing (clothes just need to be in good repair and clean, no need for expensive anything) until a child turns 18. If they protest the rules they can be told that fact and that they have extras because you want them to be happier but those extras have responsibilities.



They're aware that it's "my house, my rules". We didn't make them leave at 18 but as long as they're under my roof they have to respect and follow house rules. They know their Dad and I love them immensely but once they reach 18 they can meet their obligations, and respect everyone else, or move out. Before the age of 18, they can follow the rules or lose privileges. Our way may not work for all but it worked for us.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/04/2012

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and advice. I am new to this as my daughter (12) just got her fist cell phone and I didn't really know what kind of problems it would cause until she started using it almost non stop. As OP I asked the question because I truly wanted to know what other parents out there are doing and what works. I had actually never thought of having her turn it in at bedtime until I read a few posts on this website (which I turned to for this very advice; had not heard of this website until I looked for help with this subject-thankful for it!) So I really did post the question because I needed advice; not because I already had a plan or decision made as was suggested in one post. I'm glad I asked the question and will use the advice given here by so many when I put together our family rules for cell phones, etc. Hope the discussion has helped others as well as it has me. It is hard being a parent and I don't always have the answers. As daughters get older I feel like I have fewer and fewer answers and second guess the ones I do have. Thanks again!