My Teenager Daughter Answered her Cell Phone by Saying "What??!!!"

[disykat]

I also say take away the phone. For those of you worried about safety issues, I'd just say take away some of the roaming freedoms for a few days that may cause those safety issues. A few days of being "grounded" should solve the problem pretty quickly.

It's only logical - if you can't trust her to be polite on the phone, but can't allow her to go out without her phone, she's stuck home. Our local schools don't even allow phones so school shouldn't be an issue.

 

[sugermouse]

No, let it go. I'm a teenage guy, and parents don't know how hard it is to be a kid now... Its not fun, and on top of that your hormones are going crazy....

 

[auntpolly]

I disagree with taking away the phone. I know it seems like a luxury, but they are really not. They are so important for kids to have when they are out.

Our family is all about respecting each other. If I felt like DD was being direspectful to me, I reminded her that her dad and I always tried very hard to respect her and usually just talking to her about it brought her down to earth.

Now we did take away her car a couple of times. And we told her she couldn't go out with her friends on occasion. But it wasn't a big <i>punishment</i> ordeal. It was, if you want respect from us you have to give it in return.

 

[susy]

No, I don't know what it's like to be a teenager...I was born 38!

I was a teen (see!) back in the 80's- no cellphone. I was also never "out" . My parents drove me to a place (say a movie theater, friend's house or the mall) and I was to stay there -not meander off-until they picked me up in the exact spot two hours later. I'm talking 17-18 years old, not 13. If you really feel that your child must carry a cellphone for safety, I would consider how much "out" time is a good idea.... it seems like in a more "dangerous" world, teens have more freedom to roam than ever....

I would not tolerate the rude behavior-you'll be setting a precedent for future behavior-the teacher in me.

 

[totalia]

actually, I have to agree with some of the other posters. There' s no reason for a teenager to have a cell phone. Give them a calling card because there are always pay phones.

Teenagers get far too much leeway these days and have far too many things that they can play with. There's far too much potential for abuse on the teenagers part.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Originally posted by Jodi1980
when I called her today. She knew it was me as she has caller ID on it. Since I pay the cell phone bill, I'm thinking I should take her phone away for a few days. Would you?

<font color=navy>If it was something I had already talked to one of my teens before - yes, I would take it away.

My two are on a month suspension for running the bill higher than the allowable. Yes, it's harder on us, but that's what happens when they don't follow the rules. They get their phones back October 1st.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by susy
If you really feel that your child must carry a cellphone for safety, I would consider how much "out" time is a good idea....

LOL she wasn't out clubbing! She was "out" going to swim practice and to meets, to work, to the library, on errands for me, to her extra-curriculars, and to her volunteer job, as well as going out with her friends - when she had time. She was a busy HS student. Without a cell phone I would have been very worried about her!!!!

 

[poohandwendy]

If you really feel that your child must carry a cellphone for safety, I would consider how much "out" time is a good idea.... it seems like in a more "dangerous" world, teens have more freedom to roam than ever....

LOL, having a cel phone hasn't given her more freedom to roam than she would have had without one. But, while she is out there ''roaming'', I want her to be able to call for help if she needs to, for whatever reason. (you may have noticed, there isn't a pay phone on every corner anymore, and some only take credit cards)

I know people say...'we never had cel phones and got along fine', which is true, but if my mother would have had the option...she would have taken it...especially on nights where we were late, it was snowing, etc.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
but if my mother would have had the option...she would have taken it...especially on nights where we were late, it was snowing, etc.

You're right, PoohandWendy! There aren't payphones in snowdrifts, or on every stretch of the turnpike if they have a flat tire or an accident (god forbid). And what if they get lost in not such a great neighborhood and need to call? Want them going in to the liquor store to use their pay phone?

 

[poohandwendy]

LOL, NO! Another 'safety reason', we mothers and fathers do not like to think about but do worry about, is date rape (or even uncomfortable dating) situations.

I, myself, was on a date once where a cel phone to call my parents would have been a lifesaver, nuff said. I want to make sure my DD has that option.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
LOL, NO! Another 'safety reason', we mothers and fathers do not like to think about but do worry about, is date rape (or even uncomfortable dating) situations.

I, myself, was on a date once where a cel phone to call my parents would have been a lifesaver, nuff said. I want to make sure my DD has that option.

Me, too! DD is at college (frat parties!!!!)now -------- I call <i>her</i> regularly to remind her about date rape drugs!!!!

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by CookieGVB
Expected is one thing...accepted is another.

Unless the building was burning down around her, I'd be peeved at someone whose bill I am paying, snapping at me when I call. If this was the first time, a warning would suffice. If it's an ongoing thing, I'd re-po the phone for a while.

well stated...I agree 100%

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by totalia
actually, I have to agree with some of the other posters. There' s no reason for a teenager to have a cell phone. Give them a calling card because there are always pay phones.

Teenagers get far too much leeway these days and have far too many things that they can play with. There's far too much potential for abuse on the teenagers part.

there are very few pay phones where I live, with the growth of cell phones, pay phones are vanishing in many areas,

both of my teens have cell phones, I pay 25 dollars for 100 minutes that are good for 3 months, they may use the phones to call us when neccessary, rides from school activities and such.

they may not use the minutes for their own personal pleasure, the phones are for teen - parent calls only...

there is no abuse, they know if they abuse the system they pay for the phones..


they never asked for the phones, I got them for them for my peace of mind,
I also pay for 2 cell phones for my 71 yr old mother and my 71 yr old mother-in-law,,

and my 22 year old daughter,

a small expense for the added peace of mind for my wife and myself..

 

[Nancy]

Originally posted by JayBee


There's no way I'd let my teen out at night without a cell phone-for safety's sake. No one on this thread who reccommends taking it away for a long period of time is a parent of a teen.

I have a 16 yr old and a 14 yr old...they don't even have cell phones! They can get them when they pay for them...my 16 yr old actually can't stand the fact that her friends have their phones stuck to their ears all the time.

My 16 yr old and 14 yr old also have curfews and are not wandering around all over the place at night. My 16 yr old doesn't drive yet, I won't let her, so I am their mode of transportation. I don't mind being the taxi driver, that way I know where they are and I pick them up. We do have 2 trac fones that are used for times when my 14 yr old plays soccer and we are not sure when the bus gets back to the school. But because they are pay as you go phones we really watch the airtime.

maybe I'm old fashioned but that's how I feel.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

well im almost 20, and have had a cell phone since i was 15..my brother also has one....when i was playing tennis and my brother, baseball...my parents would know when to pick us up when we had "away games"...the pay phone at my high school rarely worked...
....ive been out one time with a friend, when one of her tires blew out....we were on a road without a lot of traffic , so a cell came in handy..
...m.y brother just got in an accident 2 weeks ago and was able to call from his cell hone to get help while his car was upside down...

so i would definitely say that it is important for some teens to have cells...