OT: Prepaid cell phone for DD

[shelly3girls]

Let me first say that I was dead set against cell phones for children. I think they are a terrible idea. Here is the problem...my DD7 is a figure skater. She spends many hours a week at the rink. I always stayed with her until now. It turns out that she has an off-ice training session the same time my younger DD has gymnastics nearby. Now for the rest of the year I have to drop DD7 off at the rink (where many people are coming and going) 15 minutes early where she will hang out with other skaters until the session starts (some parents will be there). Then she will have to wait 15 minutes for me to pick her up. I feel horrible about this. When I signed her up it was supposed to start 30 minutes later but they changed the time. I am a nervous wreck. I feel that if she had a phone to call me in case of an emergency I would feel better. I checked out a prepaid phone through T-Mobile and I can get one for $30. I looked at the Firefly phones but they seemed expensive. Has anyone had this experience or can make any recommendations? Am I being too paranoid? Is a phone completely inappropriate for her if she keeps it in her bag and only uses it in emergencies? She is very responsible and well behaved so I am not worried about her using it. Lastly, I cannot add her to our phone plan b/c we plan to change services when our contract expires in March and don't want to have to sign a 2 year contract to get her a phone right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

 

[kmccartney]

My DS is now 12, however I have made him carry a cell phone since he was about 8. We live far from our school and he participates in after school events. There is no late bus offered to the kids after normal dismissal time. Because I work, he had the phone in order to call me when his schedule changed at all. It has worked out well for us. And, he only uses it to call us (Mom & Dad). I have the cell phone on a rather old prepaid plan since the phone has been "in the family" for almost nine years. The plan is through Verizon and it allows me to add time once per month. In general it costs about $15 a month, and it is well worth it. I have piece of mind knowing that he can always reach me. Good luck on your decision.

 

[dzorn]

I have a tracfone and like it very much. It was only less than 25 on their web site. I only use it for emergencies also. With the referal it is good till january and hve over 200 minutes. I also like it because if it happens to get lost it is not a big investment.

Just make sure DD know it's only for Mom or Dad. Both my neices have one though they are a little order 12, but have had them for a few years. If it give you piece of mind defintly get one.


Denise in MI

 

[PoohPrincess76]

My DD is 9, will be 10 in January. My DH and I are going to be getting her the Firefly through our Cingular account for Christmas. Right now Cingular has the phone for free with a new sign up and we will probably change my plan to a family plan and just do it that way. There are several other kids at her school that have phones and it seems to be going well for all involved.

 

[badblackpug]

We used a Kyocera phone through Virginmobile. We were able to program the phone so that only designated numbers could be dialed, and so that the phone could only receive calls from designeated #s.

 

[Evil Queen]

I bought myself a Tracfone, but DS10 takes it with him to school daily. He's been responsible with it so far and should he lose it I'm not out big bucks.

I feel better knowing he can reach me or his older brother in an emergency. Matter of fact, I have it today, charging it for our trip, and am a little paranoid that he DOESN'T have it.