Comments on: How To Manage a Kid’s Cell Phone Use. http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:03:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Pharme340 http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-29956 Pharme340 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:41:57 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-29956 Very nice site! Very nice site!

]]> By: Pharmb690 http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-28543 Pharmb690 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:40:07 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-28543 Very nice site! Very nice site!

]]> By: Pharmb1 http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-28541 Pharmb1 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:40:01 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-28541 Very nice site! Very nice site!

]]> By: Greeting Card Printing http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-3585 Greeting Card Printing Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:36:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-3585 Once you set rules, be sure to stick to them too! Because once you do not reprimand a child for breaking the rules then most likely they'll just do it again. Once you set rules, be sure to stick to them too! Because once you do not reprimand a child for breaking the rules then most likely they’ll just do it again.

]]> By: MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-3417 MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:53:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-3417 Great rules--way to put the foot down! If you don't take control, they WILL spend every waking moment on those cells... Great rules–way to put the foot down! If you don’t take control, they WILL spend every waking moment on those cells…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2914 Anonymous Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:31:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2914 Although my daughter is 16, she has very strict rules for her cell phone, and since I purchased it on her birthday last year, I am happy to say she has never gone over her minutes. I am really glad I got it and it seems much safer to me that I can get ahold of her easily. One thing, (we have a competitors-sorry)I called and blocked the internet when I purchased it. You can accidentally push one button and connect to the internet. I think that's pretty crummy, but since that's how it is, we just eliminated the problem. Another thing we did was get unlimited texting and since she is older, she does text her friends, and sometimes me. I'm sure that helps keep the bill down. Although my daughter is 16, she has very strict rules for her cell phone, and since I purchased it on her birthday last year, I am happy to say she has never gone over her minutes. I am really glad I got it and it seems much safer to me that I can get ahold of her easily. One thing, (we have a competitors-sorry)I called and blocked the internet when I purchased it. You can accidentally push one button and connect to the internet. I think that’s pretty crummy, but since that’s how it is, we just eliminated the problem. Another thing we did was get unlimited texting and since she is older, she does text her friends, and sometimes me. I’m sure that helps keep the bill down.

]]> By: ahappyhippy mom http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2912 ahappyhippy mom Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:18:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2912 CJ,<br/><br/>WOW $1500? That is awful! Once the teenage hormones kick in for my daughter, it is going to be harder to enforce these rules. A prepaid cell phone plan is a very smart choice. CJ,

WOW $1500? That is awful! Once the teenage hormones kick in for my daughter, it is going to be harder to enforce these rules. A prepaid cell phone plan is a very smart choice.

]]> By: Minxy Mimi http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2911 Minxy Mimi Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:16:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2911 Good rules, the ringtones are so costly, but they are tempting. Good rules, the ringtones are so costly, but they are tempting.

]]> By: Together We Save http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2910 Together We Save Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:02:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2910 I have usage rules also, my firls are older and the whole family has a text plan, they don't use very many minutes so that is never really a prpblem. I have usage rules also, my firls are older and the whole family has a text plan, they don’t use very many minutes so that is never really a prpblem.

]]> By: CJ http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2906 CJ Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:18:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2906 I don't think these rules are strict at all. I used to work on an 800 customer service line for a major cell phone company, and believe me, there are parents who put NO restrictions on their kids at all, and pay for it ---I have seen cell phone bills that would have paid my mortgage for 6 months. The company had a rule that if someone went way over their limit, we could charge them for a higher plan and wipe out the overage charges ONCE. The next time it happened, too bad, because we gave them many ways to check minutes, help the child control him/herself, etc. The only thing that seemed to work for some kids was to take the phone away for a month. But some kids were so sneaky, they would get a friend to loan them on older phone and call up the company, claim they were the parent (often knew the parent's passcodes) and activate an older phone on their number. <br/><br/>I won't mention the company's name, but when I left the company, and lost an inexpensive employee plan, I went with prepaid phones. I had no problem with the company ---it was great and had great customer service, but my husband and I don't need even what was offered for the lowest plan. With prepay we pay in a year what we would pay in 3 months for a regular plan.<br/><br/>One of the very first calls I received was from a parent whose 18 year old daughter got her own cell phone account while in college. When her daughter went to sign up, a friend was with her and asked if he could get a phone and would pay half of a family plan. Within a month, she had a $1500 phone bill, and then the guy left school and took the phone with him. His parents said he was over 18 and they were not responsible for his bills. This girl not only had to pay the bill, but also an early termination fee for his phone. I heard many versions of this same horror story: a friend has a poor credit rating so couldn't get an account without a big security deposit. POOR CREDIT RATING = defaults on bills. My advice to one and all: DON'T get suckered into doing this ---not for your best friend, not for your deadbeat brother, not your boy/girlfriend. I don’t think these rules are strict at all. I used to work on an 800 customer service line for a major cell phone company, and believe me, there are parents who put NO restrictions on their kids at all, and pay for it —I have seen cell phone bills that would have paid my mortgage for 6 months. The company had a rule that if someone went way over their limit, we could charge them for a higher plan and wipe out the overage charges ONCE. The next time it happened, too bad, because we gave them many ways to check minutes, help the child control him/herself, etc. The only thing that seemed to work for some kids was to take the phone away for a month. But some kids were so sneaky, they would get a friend to loan them on older phone and call up the company, claim they were the parent (often knew the parent’s passcodes) and activate an older phone on their number.

I won’t mention the company’s name, but when I left the company, and lost an inexpensive employee plan, I went with prepaid phones. I had no problem with the company —it was great and had great customer service, but my husband and I don’t need even what was offered for the lowest plan. With prepay we pay in a year what we would pay in 3 months for a regular plan.

One of the very first calls I received was from a parent whose 18 year old daughter got her own cell phone account while in college. When her daughter went to sign up, a friend was with her and asked if he could get a phone and would pay half of a family plan. Within a month, she had a $1500 phone bill, and then the guy left school and took the phone with him. His parents said he was over 18 and they were not responsible for his bills. This girl not only had to pay the bill, but also an early termination fee for his phone. I heard many versions of this same horror story: a friend has a poor credit rating so couldn’t get an account without a big security deposit. POOR CREDIT RATING = defaults on bills. My advice to one and all: DON’T get suckered into doing this —not for your best friend, not for your deadbeat brother, not your boy/girlfriend.

]]> By: Lola http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2904 Lola Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:59:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2904 I don't know how trustworthy your child is, or her friends, but I got socked with major game and ringtone downloads even though I told my kids they were not allowed. I have AT&T Wireless and was able to put a block only on their phones that prevents them from ordering ringtones and games and accessing the internet. Every time I change phones I have to make sure AT&T keeps the blocks on when they activate the new phones. They don't always remember, but the good news is that they do look back in your records and if you had the block on before, they won't make you pay for their mistake. I don't know how trustworthy your child is, or her friends, but I got socked with major game and ringtone downloads even though I told my kids they were not allowed. I have AT&T Wireless and was able to put a block only on their phones that prevents them from ordering ringtones and games and accessing the internet. Every time I change phones I have to make sure AT&T keeps the blocks on when they activate the new phones. They don't always remember, but the good news is that they do look back in your records and if you had the block on before, they won't make you pay for their mistake.

]]> By: jenjen http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2903 jenjen Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:10:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2903 Great ideas on the cell phone use! I wish they had never invented texting!!! <br/><br/>My kids aren't as into talking on the phone - just texting. I try to set a limit on the number to texts per day. I also use it as a leverage for good grades - I guess that is called bribes!!!<br/><br/>Great post!<br/><br/>XOXO<br/>Jen Great ideas on the cell phone use! I wish they had never invented texting!!!

My kids aren’t as into talking on the phone – just texting. I try to set a limit on the number to texts per day. I also use it as a leverage for good grades – I guess that is called bribes!!!

Great post!

XOXO
Jen

]]> By: ahappyhippy mom http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2898 ahappyhippy mom Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:11:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2898 My daughter believes these rules were something that was stamped on a rock tablet in the stone ages. Before these rules were set in place she managed to do OVER 100 text messages in a weeks time. I was mortified! I want her to have a cell phone for protection in case there is an emergency. I wasn't planning on it being used as an extreme social tool. My daughter believes these rules were something that was stamped on a rock tablet in the stone ages. Before these rules were set in place she managed to do OVER 100 text messages in a weeks time. I was mortified! I want her to have a cell phone for protection in case there is an emergency. I wasn’t planning on it being used as an extreme social tool.

]]> By: Jenni Jiggety http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2897 Jenni Jiggety Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:26:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2897 I think those are excellent rules! I think those are excellent rules!

]]> By: Amy Ellen http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2896 Amy Ellen Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:25:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2896 I think these rules are totally reasonable. We're not quite there yet, though... mine are all still quite little.<br/><br/>Thanks for following my blog. It is nice to step over here and "meet" you.<br/><br/>Amy Ellen at HealthBeginsWithMom.com I think these rules are totally reasonable. We’re not quite there yet, though… mine are all still quite little.

Thanks for following my blog. It is nice to step over here and “meet” you.

Amy Ellen at HealthBeginsWithMom.com

]]> By: Kiy http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2894 Kiy Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:57:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2894 New here, found you through Tamy.<br/><br/>I don't feel these are overly harsh AT ALL! And I don't even have a teen (or pre-teen). I think they are more than fair and setting limits is a good thing. You are showing her you trust her, that's a GREAT thing! <br/><br/>Cheers, Kiy New here, found you through Tamy.

I don’t feel these are overly harsh AT ALL! And I don’t even have a teen (or pre-teen). I think they are more than fair and setting limits is a good thing. You are showing her you trust her, that’s a GREAT thing!

Cheers, Kiy

]]> By: pam http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2893 pam Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:02:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2893 My daughter is asking for a cell phone, some of her friends have them now. We are not to the point yet to give her one, but your rules are excellent. My daughter is asking for a cell phone, some of her friends have them now. We are not to the point yet to give her one, but your rules are excellent.

]]> By: Veronica Lee http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2892 Veronica Lee Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:47:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2892 The rules are great. I shall be implementing them as soon as my sons ask for a cellphone. The rules are great. I shall be implementing them as soon as my sons ask for a cellphone.

]]> By: Suzanne http://www.ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html/comment-page-1#comment-2891 Suzanne Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:03:00 +0000 http://ahappyhippymom.com/2009/03/how-to-manage-a-kids-cell-phone-use.html#comment-2891 I like these rules. We haven't had many problems but the other night, I noticed my daughter doing homework with the phone near her. When I asked, she was texting. Uh-oh...time for some better rules! Thanks. I like these rules. We haven’t had many problems but the other night, I noticed my daughter doing homework with the phone near her. When I asked, she was texting. Uh-oh…time for some better rules! Thanks.

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