Replies to '12/21 Shocking Teen Trends'

  

  

I have to say, I was a bit suprised by Dr. Phil's annalysis of Logan. I mean, he is the professional here, and I certainly respect his opinions, but common sense told me that this mother didn't know how to put her foot down! Like you said, why does this child need a cell phone, other than the luxury? If he abused it, he should have been accountable, and not ever given another one! If he takes his mother's, then he should be punished! If that doesn't work, I think that in the words of Dr. Phil: RAISE THE PRICE OF POKER! I am seeing that in America today, parents are afraid to say no to their children! Logan was disobeying his mother, AND it was never addressed, being RUDE to her as well, and it is labeled an "addiction"???? I don't know what to think! I really trust Dr. Phil, but I just don't know about this one...... 

 Yes, it IS possible to restrict the numbers on a cell phone. Two years ago, my daughter ran up a $300 phone bill (to be fair, she thought the minutes were free). At that point, since she did need the cell phone to call for rides, I read the manual. Indeed, there is a way to "tell" the phone what numbers may be dialed and ONLY those numbers. I made available only her home phone, her Grandmother's home and my husband and myself's cell numbers. And, of course, 911. We never had a problem again.

Check the manual for your teen's phone. you CAN control who s/he calls.

BTW, as for the Internet - boy they loves those IM's, don't they?? - our policy is this: IF her grades are in the "B" range, she can have Internet for a couple of hours a day (AFTER homework, natch). If they go down to "C" level, she only gets a few hours on the weekends. Any lower, and bye-bye Internet. This seems to be working.

Good Luck!