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| Sissy, 2011 |
She is an amazing kid, always on honor roll, participates in several sports and always excels in everything she does. To that end, we tend to be lax on her "rules" since she is so "good". But after reading the rules that this mom developed her teenager, we decided it would be best for the entire family to have a rule, or in this case, a SET of rules going forward. Soon enough, all our kids will have cell phones/smart phones, and we want everyone safe and following the same regimen.
This is what Sissy has the weekend to review. Should she agree, her and Hubby can sign it and she can keep her phone. Should she not, she can hand over her phone until she can pay for her own:
Please
read through the following contract. I hope that you understand it is our job
to raise you into a well rounded, healthy young woman that can function in the
world and coexist with technology, not be ruled by it. Failure to comply with
the following list will result in termination of your iPhone ownership.
1.
It is our phone. We bought it. We pay for it. We are loaning it to you. Aren't
we the greatest? ;)
2.
We will always know the password. Please write it on the provided piece of
paper and hand it to your dad. He will keep a copy and you should update it as
needed.
3.
If it rings, answer it. It is a phone. Say hello, use your manners. Do not ever
ignore a phone call if the screen reads "Mom" or "Dad". Not
ever.
4.
Hand the phone to one of your parents promptly at 11pm every school night. It
will be shut off for the night and turned on again at 6:30am.
If
you would not make a call to someone's land line, wherein their parents may
answer first, then do not call or text. Listen to those instincts and respect
other families like we would like to be respected.
5.
If it falls into the toilet, smashes on the ground, or vanishes into thin
air: YOU are now responsible for the
replacement costs or repairs. Mow a lawn, babysit, stash some birthday money.
It will happen, you should be prepared.
6.
Do not use this technology to lie, fool, or deceive another human being. Do not
involve yourself in conversations that are hurtful to others. Be a good friend
first or stay the hell out of the crossfire.
7.
Do not text, email, or say anything through this device you would not say in
person.
8.Do
not text, email, or say anything to someone that you would not say out loud
with their parents in the room. Censor yourself.
9.
Turn it off, silence it, put it away in public.
Especially
in a restaurant, at the movies, or while speaking with another human being. You
are not a rude person; do not allow the iPhone to change that.
10.
No sexting. Do not send or receive pictures of your private parts or anyone
else's private parts. Don't laugh. Someday you will be tempted to do this
despite your high intelligence. It is risky and could ruin your
teenage/college/adult life. It is always a bad idea. Cyberspace is vast and
more powerful than you. And it is hard to make anything of this magnitude
disappear -- including a bad reputation.
11.
Keep your eyes up. See the world happening around you. Stare out a window.
Listen to the birds. Take a walk. Talk to a stranger. Wonder without googling.
12.
You will mess up. we will take away your phone. We will sit down and talk about
it. We will start over again. You & I, we are always learning. We are on
your team. We are in this together.
It
is our hope that you can agree to these terms. Most of the lessons listed here
do not just apply to the iPhone, but to life. You are growing up in a fast and
ever changing world. It is exciting and enticing. Keep it simple every chance
you get. Trust your powerful mind and giant heart above any machine. We love
you!
Love, *me and hubby
__________________________________
*Hubby
_________________________________
*Sissy
Date:
February 16, 2013
This contract is
valid for one year and then must be renewed. New rules/regulations may apply ;)
Do you have any rules/regulations for your kid(s) cell phones?? What are they??
