i remember thinking that i'd never get mine phones...that it was silly. then i had a deaf child. in the old days, our parents would walk outside and call our name...and we'd come running. she can't hear me do so. however, since her hearing loss is severe and not profound, she CAN hear her phone.

and then i had a fragile child...that damages easily. with a break-down in her collagen, her skin tears at the slightest bump. i refuse to keep her locked in one room, but i do need for the schools to get a hold of me at all time, and i need to be able to know immediately from her sister if she's hurt.

i can't be in all places at all times, and phones allow us to live a bit more normal lives.

First Lulu, I think you handled the situation correctly. It's all too common and kids are growing up now in a society where this is the norm. It's up to us parents to let them know it's not acceptable behavior.

Second, I disagree that cell phones aren't necessary for kids this age. Mine's had one since he was 10 or so. When we started allowing him to do things on his own (going to friends, going to the pool, etc), we wanted to make sure we could reach him and he could reach us if there was some sort of problem. As I am a working mom and he's alone after school until I get home, I need to be able to keep in touch with him. He also stays late at school for activities, sometimes at the last minute and now I don't have to wonder where he is or why he's late. These are only some of the reasons I love him having a phone. The expense is minimal, as well, as we have a family plan.

I'm 38. I don't use a cellphone because most of them aren't hearing aid compatible. The ones that are compatible are pricey.

jordan has an fm machine that plugs into the phone if needed. transmits the conversation directly into her aids.

A pager could do the same thing about alerting the deaf child that she is needed and the school would contact you if something were to happen to your child at school. I work with children with special needs and have done so for 11 years. You would not believe the amount of cell phones that are taken everyday because the children whip them out in class to text their friends or their mom and dad about anything. It is in our school handbook that the phone has to be turned off and placed in the locker or the phone is taken and the parent has to pick it up.

i can't speak to her on a pager, lol...and it would probably cost MORE than the ten bucks to add a cell line.

MY cell phone is for the school to contact me on. the girls have theirs turned off at school, but they call me as soon as they are on the bus. this way, i know that they all made it on the bus (they've forgotten to get a couple of mine on there a time or three, and it's nerve-wracking waiting for them to find the missed kid. since jordan is also asperger's, she just as likely to walk off if they leave her.

my five-year-old plays outside with her teenaged sisters...but if something happens, they MUST be able to get a hold of me very quickly. sooo...one kid outside with her sisters while i work on ST and OT with her sister...and then they switch.

with the family plans these days, it's not expensive to add a line once i determined that it was necessary for ME to have a phone. the school generally calls me about ACT 504 violations at least twice per week, grrr.

it's a moot point since i still have another year on their contract, heh.

I can see the point of your kiddo having a phone due to the situation.

I to think you should get one of the phones that allow incoming and outgoing calls from/to a certain number. If your stuck in your plan ask them about this feature. It's our rights as parents to monitor them. They can also block texts from anyone not on the "number plan"

Kid's grow up way to fast many are having sex by this age, thank god mine isn't... she still thinks they are yucky!

And, i have called the number from my oldest an talked to the boys parents. Its amazing how many parents do not pay attention to what their kids are doing on the phones.....Good luck!