cell phone for megan --- new phone owner in the house!!!

[mommy2mrb]

tonight I went to a grief group and my mom watched Megan...after mom left Megan told me she worries about me being out and also if I'm late picking her up from school if I get in an accident, etc. which really upsets me that she worries so much.

she asked, pleaded with me to get her a cell phone for emergency only to call me, grandma, aunt, uncle only when she's at school or I can leave her a message if I'm running a few minutes late, no friends, she promises!

so my question....does anyone have a pay as you go phone for your kid's? would need just a very basic one and can I block who she can call or get calls from? not very tech savvy so any help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Lisa,
talk to your carrier... we have all the kids on our plan with unlimited mobile to mobile and unlimited texting. It cost $10 per month per phone...
I for one can tell you it's the best investment we have made. With 2 kids in HS and a middle schooler it's easy for them to get to us. (we text more than anything)....

If she takes it to school have her keep it in her purse and on SILENT or off during school hours and then check it as she is headed out the building (if your are running late she can always go back into the bldg to wait for you).
Our school has a strict policy but my kids play by the rules and I am sure Megan will too.
We check their phone usuage just to make sure they are abiding by the rules..
Put a parental control on it so that no one can add to the plan or change the plan..
While we have internet usuage on the phones that is a no-go..we just call if the kids accidently hit the button and open the browser...our carrier is very good about crediting us those minutes since they were not used...

 

[morgansmom2000]

Morgan has a cell phone because last year she became a "walker." We live too close to the school for a bus. She only has it during the week, she has to have it on silent in school, and it has helped keep track of her. It's a complete madhouse over near the school at dismissal, but she calls me when she gets out and then goes to the library. I call her when I get there to pick her up. I did add texting to it, because of the whole footbath fiasco with mine right before we left for Disney and needing to keep in touch with people we were meeting, but she barely ever uses it, mainly texting with me now that I've got my new phone.

I'm sure just having it will be enough of a safety blanket for her to know she can get in touch with you when she needs to.

 

[disney-akj]

Our oldest just got her first cell phone for christmas. (basic phone, with a basic keyboard). It was fairly cheap to add her to our plan, and I am glad we did it. We also did unlimited texting. I am thankful to have that extra phone now.

 

[wdwmickey]

My girls have both had "pay as you go" cells since they were in sixth grade. They are basic--texting and phone calls only. Rachel rarely uses hers, it is turned off most of the time. Sarah has an unlimited texting plan with "virgin mobile" and she loves it. Her and her friends usually text (no phone calls) and she always keeps it on silent and only looks at it between classes. Of course she only got this plan after she turned 17 and she had already had 5 years to prove she was "responsible" with her phone usage.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[mommy2mrb]

thanks! still need to do some research...but thinking pay as you go will probably be the best route....her school has no phone rule too and yes she will abide by it!

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Dd has had her phone for 2 years now. She got a handme down phone when we upgraded. She has unlimited texting and ots only $10 a month. She uses it for friends. I do check her phone and msgs when ever I feel like it. No texting at school and no phone after 830 on weeknights. We do have a thing where we can go online and add the numbers she's only allowed to call and who can call her. So far no issues with that needing to be done.

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

Lisa, we have done both pay as you go and have them on our plan. "Emergency use only" is good for pay as you go, keep in mind that most calls are rounded up to the next minute. Not sure how texting works with pay as you go as we did not use that option. Julia has has her phone for about 2 years, it is mostly off. She keeps is off and in her locker during school hours as that is my rule. She will use it after school to let me know she is staying after and when to pick her up. She is a "nervous Nellie" and will call us if we are not where we are supposed to be at the precise time. It makes her feel better to know everything is okay.

Good luck with your decision.

Cassey

 

[joyah]

Lisa
both the boys have trac phones pay as you go. 20 for 90 days of service and texts are like 1/2 a minute of talk time or less. many phones if you order direct from them have double and triple mins. L's has the web on it but he knows it used way to much time so he doesn't bother, he mostly texts his friends and me. E has a basic call me phone and HATES it but it will stay that way till at least next bday in dec. We've used trac for them for over 4 years now and been very happy. I buy the cards or they get them as gifts.
L's school has a no phone policy but he has some teachers that ignore, his is always on vibrate when it's in his pocket he can feel it. i just put my hand out and he hands it over for me to check messages no questions asked.

Good luck finding one that works for you both

 

[mommy2mrb]

Megan is a happy girl!

got her a pay as we go phone....calls are .10 min...will keep loading $$ when she runs out!

she under strict rules that this is for calling me, grandma or her aunt only or for me to call her if I'm running late to pick her up! and that it has to stay in her backpack during school!

I block her from buying any ringtones, apps, etc.

she knows I'm trusting her NOT to give it out to friends or call friends and that I can monitor her usage!

we talked about when she turns 13 I might give her more usage if she proves to be responsible and trustworthy with this phone!

wish us luck!!

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

for Megan! I am sure she will do great following the rules you have set. Plus this will give her peace of mind which is priceless.

Cassey

 

[mommy2mrb]

for Megan! I am sure she will do great following the rules you have set. Plus this will give her peace of mind which is priceless.

Cassey

she is excited....took me awhile to get things set up, but everything is ready to go! I'm sure she will follow the rules too! yes it is

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Glad she got a phone, for peace of mind if for nothing else.

DS15 got his phone when he graduated from 8th grade. I got the iPhone since that's what we all have and I know the ins and outs of the phone. I also pay AT&T $5 a month so I can monitor his phone. I can set texting limits, phone call times, and I can block numbers as well. And the best part is with the texting and time blocking I can set specific numbers to allow to go through. I set it so mine, DH's, and my parents numbers can get through even during the blocked times and if he's run out of texts.
I also have the internet, youtube, and the camera capabilities turned off on his phone. All of that is Admin password protected so he can't get in and change the restrictions.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

What wait.. you mean he can't get my messages.... now, his favorite aunt should make the cut... listen here missy!!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

LOL only between the hours of 10pm - 6am you can't call him.

And texts are when he reaches 3500 a month. But....... I can add you if you need me too!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

LOL!!!
I know how to get him!!!! If I need him during school hours there is really a problem..

No, I'm just giving you static... He always responds to me... He knows he'll be in trouble!!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

well she's happy with the little bit she can do...has the basics calendar, memo area, recording....when I dropped her off it came quickly out of her backpack to show her friends...but promises no calls!

if all goes well until she's 13 I will then add her to my plan...if not will be 14!

 

[PrincessNancy96]

That's good that she likes it...the basics is what they need to start out with!!

DS11 got an ipod touch this Christmas... my gosh... if we need him we search for the ipod..it's always attached to his hands!!!

I remember being excited to get a walkman and you could walk and listen to your music!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

That's good that she likes it...the basics is what they need to start out with!!

DS11 got an ipod touch this Christmas... my gosh... if we need him we search for the ipod..it's always attached to his hands!!!

I remember being excited to get a walkman and you could walk and listen to your music!!

she wants Santa to bring the Ipod Touch this year...will see! put a GPS on it too

wow I'm so much older than you....I remember getting a hand held radio when I was younger and listened to vinyl and 8-tracks

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I remember vinyl and 8 tracks.... I still have my cassette tapes my granny made me when I left for college... I pull those out when I need a Granny Day!!!