On one of my past blogs, Letting Children Grow Up Too Fast, I received a number of comments. I really appreciated hearing all the feedback and discovering that I am not alone in having a child who wants to be older than he is.
One of the comments made raised a good point about the use of cell phones. A reader referred to cell phones as being a safety feature. I completely agree with this. In fact, I have heard even Dr. Phil defend parents who give their children cell phones for that very reason.
I like to have access to my children and cell phones provide that. As a follow-up to my blog on “Letting Children Grow Up Too Fast,” I would like to say that since then I have told my youngest son that he can get a cell phone. What changed that? It goes back to the whole issue of safety.
First, let me say that every time a child of mine has received a cell phone there has been a reason behind it. When my oldest son received his first cell phone at 12 years old, it was because he had joined our church’s youth group and started participating in activities outside the church. I wanted him to be able to reach me just in case. The cell phone was a safety measure.
When my daughter received her first cell phone at 11 years old, it was because she received her first babysitting job and I wanted her to have access to me. Again, it was a safety measure.
Now when my youngest had asked for a cell phone it was because he wanted to talk to his friends. I don’t buy cell phones for that reason. Granted, it naturally happens but for our family there needs to be a legitimate need to have one.
Well my youngest is going into middle school in the fall and last week we attended our first tackle football meeting. He will be joining football and practice starts this summer. It is for this reason that I told him he can get a cell phone. He will be practicing everyday at his school and I want him to be able to reach me just in case. Again, it is a safety measure.
Cell phones, when used appropriately can really be a great safety feature. I can call my child at any time. They can reach me at any time. It makes access to one another better and I believe, safer.
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