SkipG wrote:
My wife and I have been discussing this topic lately. Like most people we spend way too much time on phones/computers/iPads while we are at home. We both agree we need to make a change. We also have two kids, one is 15 and she lives on her phone also a 2 year old, no phone issues with this one yet but she does pick up the tv remote and say hello...so I know we are already rubbing off on her.
We are thinking of having a drop bin or something at the door when we walk in to drop the phones in. Not sure what the rules would be yet or time frame to leave them in there.
Do any of you have any no cell phone/ electronics policy at home? Is so what is it and what kind of impact has it made if any?
I have a 15YO daughter and an 18YO son. The daughter would text her friends continuously if we let her and my son would play games online continuously if we let him. So, we had to set some limits. So far, it has worked reasonably well to make it a rule that phones and/or iPods that can be used online must be placed in a tray in our kitchen. As in most houses, just about everyone is in and out of the kitchen and it's the most public area of our house. I told them they can use their phone while it is in the kitchen, but that's where they have to use it. This policy is in place from 6PM until the next morning Sunday thru Thursday. They are free to use them as much as they want the rest of the time provided they keep up their A/B grades. We do let them take their phones when they go to dance class, swimming practice, and play practice. They can take them to school, but they have to stay in their locker unless there is an emergency (school policy).
So far, so good. They don't like using their phones out in 'public' in the kitchen for social texting, but they don't hesitate if they need to get some school related information from a classmate. I am okay with that, of course. Regarding the notion of the phones belonging to me and controlling use because I am paying for them, well, I don't have a problem with them perceiving it that way. They both had to sign contracts with my wife and I when we got their phones for them and they willingly signed them. The contracts stated their phones could be repossessed and/or turned off at any time if they couldn't use enough self discipline about proper usage. There is also a clause that says we may ask for their phones at any time along with all passwords for all apps. All phone usage was to be an open book, so don't send any texts that you wouldn't feel comfortable with your parents reading. Period. My son recently downloaded two games onto the Macbood Pro I bought him for school. He had paid $10 for each game from iTunes. I made him delete both of them. His laptop is for school usage only. If I didn't curb his gaming, he would spend waaaaay too much time playing.
Greg
If you are a Canuck that engages in gratuitous bashing of the US, you are probably on my Iggy List. So, save your self a bunch of typing a response unless you also feel the need to gratuitously bash me. If so, have fun.
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