Moms Talk (March 9) Q&A: Jump Right In With Your Thoughts

Moms Talk is a new weekly feature on Sherman Oaks Patch, in which local parents are invited to share opinions and advice on parenting issues.

Each week our Moms Council members will discuss a different issue. Join the conversation by weighing in on a topic or asking questions.  

 This week's Mom Council members include:

Linda Arbiter:  A licensed family therapist in Sherman Oaks, Linda is also the mother of three children. Linda's specialities include parenting issues, adolescent development, and anxiety issues involving children.

Michele Dahl: Michele is a freelance writer and mom to 3-year-old firecracker, Shelby, and 1-year-old sweetheart, Cash.  In between working  three jobs—not including her unpaid gig as mommy—she is a contributing writer and product reviewer for www.hollywoodmomblog.com.  

Randi Green: Randi is raising three children, ages 18, 15 and 10. She is a personal trainer, working with children as well as adults. Randi says: "I’ve dealt with the terrible 2’s, the trying tweens and the terrific/horrific teen years, and have firm opinions on it all!"

This week the  conversation focuses on cell phones. Randi Green asks the question: at what age do you allow your child to have their own cell phone?

Feel free to tell us your view of this question. Put your approach in the comments section on the site. We'd welcome hearing from you.

My oldest son received his when he graduated from middle school. My middle son got his as a reward for getting straight A's in his first semester of 8th grade.My 10, going on 17 year old daughter comes up with a creative argument everyday why she should have one. So what IS the best age to get your child a cell phone?

I had no idea what the consequences of my kids’ having cell phones would be.
First of all and most unsettling for me was the fact that we never got a call from
our children’s friends anymore. I had always enjoyed checking in with them when
they called our home phone, but the minute the boy’s had phones, our number
was deleted from the friend’s phones, never to be dialed again.
                                                                                                                                                                   
Another curious thing – our boys got calls and messages completely unbeknownst
to us, due to the vibrate mode, often during the late night hours. They could have
lengthy conversations surreptitiously without our ever knowing. Along with the
privilege of having a phone came with a rather detailed list of rules that needed to
be followed. The phone became one more thing we had to patrol.

On the flip side, I’m able to reach my boys any time I need to and we often have
more conversation with text messages than we do in person! In addition, we
can take it away as easily as we gave it, often using it as a consequence for non-
compliant behavior. I still think there’s no reason for my daughter to have one,
although she continues to campaign heavily.

What’s your stand on cell phones for children? Has providing them been an
advantage or detrimental to your family? Tell us your view in the comments section on the right side of the Sherman Oaks Patch site.