Before moving back to the states I wasn't a huge fan of cellphones and didn't understand why everyone felt like they were so attached to them. That was when I was a stay-at-home-mom, and the longest I was away from home was when I went grocery shopping or hung out at my friends house who happened to by the kids' emergency contact. Then we got stateside. We got phones when we were visiting family in WA just so we would have them in case of an emergency on the drive to NE. I still didn't get it. The kids started going to school. I still didn't get it. I started going to school. Then I got it. Being away from home for hours and hours at a time I needed a way to be in contact with the school if need be. And let me tell you, this has happened many times. Most recently, when Ethan got something stuck on his eye. I don't freak out if I don't have it with me, but I do worry about the kids. I feel like I need it to know that they are safe.
As most of you know, Ethan is almost 10. And with being almost 10, comes the desire to do more on his own. I feel like I should let him, but I can't get over that scared feeling of not knowing where he is. As most of you also probably know, one of the main reasons why I didn't want to come back to the states was because I was scared of the violence, especially against children.
The last several days we have had really nice weather. I'm talking 35-50 degrees with very little wind! On Thursday and Friday I let the kids play at the parks after school for at least an hour. On Friday, Ethan's friends asked if he could stay longer. Neither of them had to be home for another hour. I asked if they had a watch so they knew when to go home...and both had cell phones with an alarm set ten minutes before their "curfew." I let him stay for a while, and was happy that there were two other kids with him.
These boys were not using the phone to text their friends, or call girls or whatever. It was a link to home only. I felt like that was what I needed.
I had been thinking about it for a while, but felt like I was going overboard. After seeing two of Ethan's friends with cell phones for the purpose that I wanted...I gave in. Roby and I talked about it and decided it was probably a good idea, if only for my peace of mind. Its only an additional $10 a month and will allow Ethan a lot more freedom, which he needs at this age. Don't get me wrong, there will be rules, and there will be some locked settings...but freedom none the less.
Do you think I'm crazy for doing this? How do you feel about children and cellphones? The ones using it to text and what not vs. the ones just as a link to mom?
As most of you know, Ethan is almost 10. And with being almost 10, comes the desire to do more on his own. I feel like I should let him, but I can't get over that scared feeling of not knowing where he is. As most of you also probably know, one of the main reasons why I didn't want to come back to the states was because I was scared of the violence, especially against children.
The last several days we have had really nice weather. I'm talking 35-50 degrees with very little wind! On Thursday and Friday I let the kids play at the parks after school for at least an hour. On Friday, Ethan's friends asked if he could stay longer. Neither of them had to be home for another hour. I asked if they had a watch so they knew when to go home...and both had cell phones with an alarm set ten minutes before their "curfew." I let him stay for a while, and was happy that there were two other kids with him.
These boys were not using the phone to text their friends, or call girls or whatever. It was a link to home only. I felt like that was what I needed.
I had been thinking about it for a while, but felt like I was going overboard. After seeing two of Ethan's friends with cell phones for the purpose that I wanted...I gave in. Roby and I talked about it and decided it was probably a good idea, if only for my peace of mind. Its only an additional $10 a month and will allow Ethan a lot more freedom, which he needs at this age. Don't get me wrong, there will be rules, and there will be some locked settings...but freedom none the less.
Do you think I'm crazy for doing this? How do you feel about children and cellphones? The ones using it to text and what not vs. the ones just as a link to mom?
1 comment:
Im seriously torn on this subject as you already know. I do find cell phones very useful and Im glad that J and I have them. I can see where they would come in handy with a child and as long as the child is using it responsibly and with guidelines (which I totally see Ethan doing) I think its a great idea. I get a bit annoyed in the Junior and High school areas but understand at the same time. I think it is a great way to call and check on Ethan, I think its a GREAT alarm (hell mine is the perfect alarm for me) and I think that there is NO excuse now for being late or unreachable. I think Ethan is old enough (OMG did I just say that) and will be very happy with this gift. Which one is he getting?!
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