Previous entry: 
Next entry:
Sneak a cell phone to camp or not?
My son is leaving for sleepaway camp. Their rules: No electronics, no cell phones. The idea is to focus camp, and shut off the outside world.
His friend is smuggling a cell phone; my son will borrow it and call us.
I told him no.
Now, I'm going to miss the heck out of him and would love to hear his voice and how he's doing, but I have a problem breaking the rule, and supporting breaking the rule.
Other family members say I'm nuts. I need help here; If I'm nuts, tell me; if I'm right, tell me (gently). Would love to hear from some child experts, too, please. And quickly.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work...
Joy Oglesby has an infant daughter and a sister 13 years her junior, whom she babies to the now-adult...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s...
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters...
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters...
Anne Vasquez is the Online Editor in charge of overseeing SunSentinel.com. She is the mother of a 5-year-old boy and a newborn daughter.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces...
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 13, and Lily, 6, and is married...
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator, and father of two boys and a girl all under the age of seven.
Comments
YOU ARE NOT CRAZY, I TOLD MY DAUGHTER THE SAME THING AFTER I HAD PURCHASED A PHONE FOR HER STRICTLY FOR CAMP, BEFORE I KNEW THE RULES. SHE IS ALLOWED TO RECEIVE FAXES AND SEND THEM, I TOLD HER TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES. OTHERWISE THEY WILL CONFISCATE HER PHONE AND BE IN TROUBLE FOR THE ENTIRE CAMP.
Posted by: CURLYFL | June 27, 2007 3:41 AM
Kids should never be in a situation where they cannot call for help. Camp rules can often be harshly enforced. If a child is unreasonable in expectations or experiences adjustment issues, a comforting conversation can put it all to right. I never sent my children to a camp that restricted their access to the outside, and they never abused the privilege.
Posted by: jane dope | June 27, 2007 9:02 AM