Cell Phones: Talk to Your Child

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T --Talk

Talk to your child. Ask direct questions to find out what is motivating his desire for a cell phone and texting privileges. Does he have certain friends he wants to talk to? Is he becoming interested in the opposite sex? You may find out your 10-year-old son has a girlfriend he wants to talk to. You might discover that your 12-year-old daughter is a social outcast without a cell phone. Your child should be able to articulate her reasons for wanting a phone, and if you do not want her to have one, you should be able to articulate why, as well. This is a great chance to talk with your child about how you feel about her growing up too quickly. It is the perfect time to explain that it is OK to be different and not follow the crowd. It is also an open opportunity to discuss personal responsibility.

• T -- Talk
• E -- Evaluate
• X -- Examine
• T -- Tell