The advantages of getting your kids a cell.

I've just realized what a great thing a cell phone is for a kid.  You can yell at them without getting into a huge argument.

I was upset about my daughter not cleaning up after herself.  Everytime I say something to her, she rolls her eyes, whines, or just does the "whatever Mum," she learned from her Uncle the Sarcasm King.  (Which I'm just gonna have to kill him for one day.)

But I couldn't find her so I texted her that these things were not acceptable.  Whether this works or not, I can now officially say that I have mentioned it to her 100 times and I have documentation to prove it.

This is awesome!

For people with younger kids, like teens  (preschoolers and toddlers do not need cell phones.  They need parental supervision, a leash and maybe one of those gps things you can get for your poodle.) it can be a wicked parental tool and you can do it without your kid becoming a text monster if you pay just a little attention.  I know what I'm talking about, I've worked cell phone billing and there are some great things out there for parents.

So how do you do this?

First of all, you present the cell phone like it is the keys to the car.  You are the greatest, coolest mum on earth who knows that a kid needs a cell and you know your daughter/son needs it to function.  Therefore you are trusting that they are mature, grown up people who will take responsibility.

Then you don't buy the iphone, a blackberry or any high end phone.  You go to the Factory Direct type store and you get them the phone that construction guys use.  The ones that are water and dropping resistant.  It should not have a keyboard. 

This will mean you will not be replacing the phone three times a month and your kid is less likely to whip it out in front of his friends because  it's not "cool."

Then you give them back a bit of the cool factor by allowing them to have many of those little dolly things to hang off of it. 

The practical advantage is it will get so bulky, they are less likely to lose something that chimes when they drop it.

Next you advise them that they are getting Facebook but they have to friend you though you promise you will never ever post or comment on their status.  Eventually they will forget you are there.  You can get alot of information just by seeing what their friends are posting.

Facebook is like Get Smart's shoe.  An unobstrusive way to check and see what your kids are thinking.

You then advise they have unlimited texting. 

Any parent who gets their kids a phone without unlimited texting is going to be facing a 500 dollar overage bill.  And your kids can't say they didn't get your text because you have cell records to prove it.  You can then transmit all the information like, "you are supposed to be home for ten," without the argument.  They can also text you when they are going to be late and they can't say the text isn't working because you will have a record of them texting nine friends in the same time period.

Alot of companies now have gps locators program.  Get it.  It's easier than convincing the vet to put a poodle finder in your kid.

Most of all, get to know the lost/stolen number for the cell company.  Most companies have automatic turn the phone off websites or call in lines that will turn the phone off.  More weapons for your arsenal of consequences because you turn a kids cell off for one day and you will have a very pliable child.

When you're kids are going out with their friends, ask for their friends cell number in case of emergency.

  Keep this hidden from your kids.  Once a month, check out their call details.  You can now see who and when they are talking to and when a new number comes up, you know you're kid is hanging out with a potential threat and you get more information on the person.  The best way to do this is to casually tell them you saw a new number on the calls missed list and you wondered who it is.

Last of all.  Take the time to review your bill.  Do not get your kids minutes if you can help it.  Stress the texting, it's cheaper. Remember to tell them if they are texting out of the country, it's extra.

The downside is that you need a cell for it to be really efficient but stay at home or work mom's can send texts to their kids through email on the cell companies site.

Yes it can be expensive but if you buy the phone outright you can usually get away without having a contract. 

Besides, being able to tell your kids to clean their room without a six hour argument is priceless.  On top of which, it usually works out with less cost than the poodle finder.