Our teenager learned a valuable lesson today about cell phones....
Posted By: Educating mom on 2007-10-23
In Reply to:
She got a new cell phone last month and downloaded a bunch of ringtones, even though I reminded her that each one costs money + the transfer fee, which the system prompts you for as we don't have the internet plan for the cell phone (don't do text messaging either). Well, she ignored the prompts about the 3 cents per kilibite fee and size of the files alert when she accepted the downloads she selected. To make a long story short..... her bill for her downloads is right at $60.
She is crying that she has to pay this bill but I'm not working overtime because she ignored my telling her about the costs and accepted the charges. This will teach her a lesson on responsibility. She was expecting the bill to be about $20. She'll be babysitting up a storm this next month to pay this bill!
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My teenager has learned a text messaging lesson...sm
A couple of weeks ago while at drama practice one of her peers asked if she could use her cell phone both days of practice as she didn't have her cell phone with her. My daughter let this other kid use her phone and didn't pay attention to the fact she was staying on it the entire time of the practices (the other kid only had a couple of lines). When my daughter walked over to her her phone she saw the other kid texting - and we don't have text messaging as part of our plan.
The bill arrived yesterday and this other child ran up $63.40 in text charges because there's a 20 cent/kb/message fee. My daughter isn't happy that she has to pay this bill out of her babysitting money but I reminded her that her phone is her responsibility and I'm not paying her bill. She swears she'll never let anyone use her phone again. I do hope she's learned her lesson!
Daughter's phone is daughter's responsibility. Valuable lesson learned.
It should be between the daughter and the friend if the friend is going to pay any of the fees. They are teenagers, not preschoolers.
Lesson learned I guess but ..
I do not know how close you are with her and I would not want to start a family feud but I would buy a new one and present her with the bill and ask for half. I also would never loan her another thing. I would have asked for it back way before that time though. Even with family members I trust I always ask for things back after about a month or so just because of that. When I do loan things out I also tell them you break it you replace it. But you do need to speak up.
My sons both learned that lesson the hard way
One had 1200 text messages in a month (I pay for 300) and the other did the same download thing. I wish there was some way you could block their phones after a certain amount of $$. Needless to say, both had a nice chunk of money to pay mom back.
Looking for cell phones you no longer need...
Hi! My church is collecting cell phones as a fundraiser. If you have an unused cell phone lying around that you would like to get rid of, please let me know! Just let me know what the brand, model number, phone co used for and I will let you know if that is one that is on the list. I will pay for the shipping to get it here!
Thanks a zillion!
kids and cell phones
Both my sons got their own cells phones when they went to college and I suggested they get the prepaid type....When their minutes ran out they were outta luck....They learned to budget their money pretty quickly though. Both worked and went to school. It also taught them that there's no such thing as a free ride in this world. 
Teenagers and Cell Phones
We plan on getting our 13-year-old daughter a cell phone for Christmas. She does a lot of afterschool activities and I want her to be able to reach us at all times. But we're getting her the prepaid trac phone. We already told her, don't expect a fancy phone with a camera and texting capabilities (you can text with the trac phones, but it just takes away your time). If she doesn't accept that, then no cell phone. My husband had a friend at work whose daughter's cell phone bill was $600 one month. I can see that happening with a teenaged daughter.
People talking on cell phones while having
dinner in a restaurant. I realize some people have to take calls, but just get up and leave the table.
Have used only cell phones for probably a couple of years.
Saves us about $80-85 a month. 
Internet and cell phones - I remember before (sm)
I was a secretary in the late 80s for a medical association...I had to make up and send out hundreds of "meeting packets" to the doctors who were going to attend every month's meeting. Pages and pages of copies, colating and stapling them, addressing every FedEx label...it was an all day job, sometimes two days. Now you could just do a mass email and send it to all of them in 5 minutes. Amazes me every time I think about it. I also used to keep a monthly calendar of accredited events doctors could attend and had to mail that out to everyone...now, that can all just be put on a website to be viewed by anyone who needs it.
The cell phone thing though...other than being really glad I have it when I have car trouble or something, I'd rather not be tied to my phone like that. It is as though everyone expects you to be available all the time. I don't answer mine most of the time and call back if I need to.
Two cell phones can't share the same numer.
You'd have to get 2 separate numbers. You can get a basic family plan so you can share minutes between the phones. If you do that, you're looking at spending a little more than on your home phone bill, but then you have the added benefit of having a cell phone, which is nice to have especially on the road in case your car breaks down or something. You could always just forego the second phone line and family package, and just get a single cell phone & save a little money that way too.
So you think cell phones are safe? This is troubling!
This is probably what it does to our brain power - like putting your head in a microwave,
I laughed when I saw that privacy and cell phones, my goodness
out in public those 2 just do not go together. Unless I get a call (which I seldom do on my cell) I do not make those obnoxious calls that lets everyone else around me or a block away listen to all my conversation. I am so put off by those I usually try to walk away from the person who is doing this. By the way, if I am tracked they will find me 99.9% of the time in my own home.
Cell phones - How dangerous is their long-term use?
Hoax or not, the long-term safety of cell phones is still very much in question! They are not innocuous, and emit harmful electromagnetic radiation in varying amounts. Just as policemen's radar guns laid in their laps have caused testicular cancer, so the incidence of brain tumors from cell phone usage has also been on the rise.
That very thing happened to my stepdad, a brain tumor & aneurysm right above his right ear, where he holds his cordless phone constantly. Cell phone signals decrease fertility of humans & animals alike, & Swedish researchers have proven that they are ESPECIALLY damaging to the brains of children! Cell phone-using kids are FIVE times more likely to get brain cancer. I gave mine up over 5 years ago & will never use another one on a routine basis. This issue is being covered up, but is certain to become the controversy of the 21st century, just as tobacco was in the 20th century.
Does anyone have Verizon and also their cell phones. Can you tell me if they offer a decent deal if
you have both from them compared to other cell phones. No sure which one to get.
Thank you so for your valuable input. I
had no idea this was the humble-poster board. My bad. You really have caused me to pause and reflect....
valuable commodity
I buy my beef from a local rancher. I have spent all day on a tour of his ranch and cattle which are bred to need less interference from humans. I agree with his philosophies of raising cattle. He does not cater to a niche. His beef is cheap because he has no overhead. He is trying to get people to stop growing corn on the prairie to give to cows, when the cows can make food out of the prairie to begin with. Domesticating animals for mass food production is extremely important where I live, but around here is the feed lots versus the grazers, and I have picked sides. The cow tastes like what it ate when it grazed, that is fine with me, I know how to use a spice rack.
Thank you for those of you who gave valuable info!
I've lived in an apartment my entire adult life and had no idea that a fence would cost that much and all the tools/materials that are involved in building a fence! I got some great info from the majority of the people that responded and truly thank those people :)
I'm not dissing your site but WW was a very valuable tool sm
for me. I lost 70+ lb there a few years ago and could not have done it on my own. Very supportive, everyone else has food issues just like you do. I am not a "joiner" but I really felt supported and got good insights into my behavior when I was a regular WW member. It can't hurt - and it's not that expensive.
If you are obsessing about what you eat, definitely seek some kind of support group - whether it is online or in person is up to you, but it helps to get perspective from others like you.
People bring of valuable insights, but...sm
I can't say that we could ever afford to have a child, let alone 6, but we did. Most of their childhood I was divorced and supported them alone. It was hard, we had most of the necessities and a few of the wants. Now that they are grown, they say over and over how they were didn't feel deprived, they felt spoiled in many ways. Every one of them has something special that they shared with me, just the 2 of us. They ended up feeling special because of these one on one things. I was adamant that they grow up to be individuals and not part of the pack. I did an excellent job of that. They are all hard workers and thrifty because of what they grew with and without.
It was a difficult time, and yet we remember it as a happy time with lots of love.
The ONLY reason to have a child is a selfish one. I had mine because doggonit, I just LOVE babies, young children, older children, tweens and teens. Now that they are emerging and young adults, I love them even more. I spoiled them with as much time, attention and interaction as I could give them, which even with 6, turned out to be a lot. I have enjoyed and still enjoy watching them grow as people, as individuals. I watch them make choices and learn from them. I see them carry on with their own lives and pretty well ignore me, and I would not have any other way. Let something happen...like one of my sons is divorcing his abusive wife after 5 years (no kids) and he needs his mama to listen, sympathize, comfort and be there for him without judgment, no I-told-you-sos, no recriminations...and with plenty of love and support.
I don't feel that children are necessary for anyone, man or woman, to have in their lives. They were necessary for ME, as necessary as air, water and food! I say, if you want them because you want them because you do, you just do...HAVE THEM and have the number you want, be that 1 or 10. If want to have them to carry on the family name, or because everyone else you know is having one, or because those little pink dresses are so cute, or because your parents want you to have them...those are the wrong reasons and you will be unhappy.
I had my first one because my ex really believed he wanted a child. What he wanted was another person on the planet to worship him and do his bidding. He didn't think he would have to put in any work, either emotional or physical, and the child would adore him on sight. I was not really ready, but I capitulated. I believed differently about children and I understood that they are not in my life to love and revere me, I am in THEIR lives to love and revere THEM. Ends up my kids and I are very close, both boys and girls alike because I did it right.
Do what you want, just be sure you know what that is beforehand.
My life lesson would be to say "I love you" to
your family every chance you get as you don't know when they won't be around anymore, take nothing for granted.
May be she'll learn a lesson?
I'm glad to hear you made an official police report.
Lesson about working in jammies . .
One very cold sunny Michigan winter day I needed to run outside to get something out of the truck I had forgotten the day before. I grabbed the extra key kept by the door to unlock it and out I went in NOTHING by pink flannel jammies (no bra or underwear) and fluffy dog slippers, yep ladies, I was stylin . . well, the dog went after his ball which had rolled behind the door and the door slammed shut just as I went out the door! Now, we live in a rural area with no neighbors close by, it was about 8 degrees out, and I had chicken cooking on the stove to make chicken and dumplings!! I had already turned it down and covered it and it had to cook for about 40 minutes. Luckily I had the key to the truck. I had to drive around to neighbors trying to find someone home so I could call my mother or husband, who both have house keys. The only neighbor I could find was standing out working on his tractor with his brother and his dad. I pulled up and asked to use a cell phone. When he walked over the truck, imagine the look on his face when he realized I was in my pajamas at 3:00 in the afternoon! LOL, that was one of the most embarrassing minutes of my life! The guy and my husband have been friends since high school. But I did get a hold of my mother, who came with her key and I got back in before the chicken burned, otherwise I was going to have to break a window to get in so the house didn't burn down.
Video lesson with a British accent. (sm)
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-apply-foundation-to-mature-skin
as a teenager those were the best sm
I just remembered that it really sucked waiting for the dough "to rise". Never really saw any difference but my BFF and I loved them. We also loves Pizza rolls, couldn't get enough of them.
this isn't about you, and your're not a teenager
nm
we used to do something similar when I was a teenager sm
(back when the earth was still cooling,LOL). We took a block of cream cheese and poured Tiger Sauce over it. Sure was good!! Don't know if Tiger Sauce is even still available but it would probably be along where the hot sauce is in the grocery store.
c phones
I have 2 different types of C-phones and also currently work on a Lanier system which is basically the same as a C-phone. You need umlimited long distance and you plug it into a phone jack. If you do not have a second line to your home, you plug it into your home line, but you cannot receive phone calls while in use. Both types of units work exactly the same as a regular phone.
C Phones
I have a very dumb question (probably), but I have never used one. I need to know what a C Phone is and how it works. Is it similar to a Lanier machine? I have a Lanier and have used it quite a lot, but I am looking at several positions on the Job Seeker's board and they require a C Phone which I have no experience with. Can anyone help? Thanks.
I cannot believe they don't even have pay phones there somewhere - sm
I lived in a very small dorm. We had one floor phone (incoming calls or to make operator collect calls) and 2 pay phones on the second floor (3 floor dorm). We also had 2 pay phones in the large common room/reception area where the TV and pool table were. Just not safe not to have any phones; not everyone has a cell phone (granted probably 99% of the students do, but batteries do die). Maybe you can contact AIM and shut down his account somehow.....though there are several IMs out there he could use instead. Can you get his log-on and password and monitor how much he is on AIM and then have him sign a contract not to IM her more than 30 minutes a day as his studies are suffering. I cannot believe they have that much to say to each other, especially if she is still in high school(?). He has to grow up and realize just how important school is and an education unless he wishes to end up in manual labor or at McDonald's because he never finished college and got a degree. Of course depending on his field of study he may still end up at McDonalds do to no job at the end of it, but at least he will have that degree and that is important.
Yes. Make your teenager responsible for as much as she can pay for.
and maybe a little more. Don't make it easy. Make sure that she has to work a little (not so much that grades suffers), has to budget, and plan and take the responsibility of driving seriously. This is more than likely the most dangerous thing your child has done so far her life. Make sure she understands that. It's not a social thing, a drive-around-with-your-friends thing. Preparing a young person for driving responsibilities is life and death.
Unfortunately, in the last three yeas, I've been to three funerals for teenage drivers -- all of whom were out of control in every aspect of their lives. Our state does not allow children to become licensed drivers until age 16-1/2. Our house rule was age 17. We did pay for the driver's ed, because it was pricey, our sons truly could not afford it, and we wanted our boys to have ever chance to learn to drive safely. Even though we taught them ourselves, as well, sometimes kids hear better what total strangers say to them! Also, I had a rule during permit driving sessions with my boys. They were never allowed to argue with me while we drove together. I was the teacher. I knew more than them. No arguing over anything, or else I terminated the lesson, car was pulled over, I drove home and that was the end until I felt we were ready for another driving lesson. That rule drove home how serious a responsibility driving is. I only had to do it once to one of my sons.
My oldest was lucky enough to inherit is grandfather's pristine 1991 Toyota (38,000 original miles) when pop-pop no longer could drive. It's a decent, dependable car. My son pays for repairs and gas. We pay for the insurance at this point, simply because we live in a big eastern city, and insurance is sky high. But, our son is also paying his own college tuition, so I have no problem helping him out with the insurance on his car.
This is a big deal. Make sure your daughter grasps the gravity of the responsibility. Don't argue with her about anything. These decisions have to be made by the parents, because it's a health and safety issue for your daughter and everyone else on the road with her.
comparing yourself to a teenager makes you look...
and you don't know how to put "no message" on outside of your post, so we don't have to waste time clicking to open your message just to see there is no message!
I think she said in her post that it was a teenager in her neighborhood.
My daughter would do it for that amount just for spending money. I wish I could have someone come in just once a month to do major cleaning. My daughter and I with the help of my husband do cleaning every Saturday with of course spot cleaning during the week, but just once a month would be great to do the things I hate doing.
Need advice on teenager vehicles......sm
Okay, it is time to get my 16-yo her own vehicle. I intend to get her an older vehicle (less than 10 yrs old), pay cash for it as I don't want payments for she or myself. How does everyone handle with kids what percentage you make them pay for etc? I want her to learn responsibility and appreciate the vehicle, just by my preference would prefer to pay in cash (less than $5000, hopefully). Do I make her responsible to pay her own insurance or half of it? By her own gas? or should I make her buy the car from me? Not sure what everyone else does so I would like some ideas as I said, I don't want to just give her everything in life. I want to make her earn it, take care of it, appreciate it, and be responsible, but don't want to go overboard either. She is in 10th grade, A/B student (Currently 11th place in class and working towards bumping up to be in top ten by the time she graduates). She is very well behaved, never a troubled child. She does have a lot of activities that would prevent her from making much of any income with an after school job. She is varsity cheerleader (off season just now, but will practice all summer), plays tennis, basketball/baseball manager, takes tumbling classes 1 night a week. So she is very busy in a good way. She would also be driving siblings to school for me and running errands occasionally. Anyone care to share what you do/have done or have any ideas/suggestions?
When I was a teenager my mother had mono
My dad and the doctor (IMO) ingored the problem until she had such a high fever that she was halucinating. At that point I informed my dad that he had two choices, take her to the hospital or call 911. He took her in and they were all amazed at how bad she was. I know they gave her some kind of antibiotic.
I could have shot my dad. He is a total hypochondriac and yet he would let her go that far.
When I was a teenager I loved babysitting
There were a couple of incredible kids right across the street that I often babysat for. I had them one New Year's Eve and I had planned games and made cupcakes for them to decorate. We had a blast.
There was a family behind us that had a 4yr old daughter and 2yr old twin sons. I only babsat for them once. I took my purse with me when I went to their house and one of the kids tried to get into it so I put it on top of the fridge. Walked into the kitchen a couple of minutes later and found one of the kids standing on a chair trying to get to my purse. Found another kid in the upstairs kids bathroom with an entire bottle of shampoo poured out all over the throw rug. I finally got them calmed down and was reading to them while sitting on the floor in the den. I have no idea how this happened but within a matter of a couple of minutes I was "accidentally" poked in both eyes. I spent 3 hours with these "kids" and got $5.00. After that every time the mom called I was busy.
When I was a teenager, my Dalmatian chewed
both of the rear tail-lights off my dad's new Lincoln Continental. She also once ate an entire, 6-foot leather leash. Taking her for a walk was like going out with a vacuum-cleaner with legs!
You sound like a little teenager with your response
You were the one who was giving a free ticket to a man freaking out after a childbirth. There is not that much freaking in the world. Grow up! You should have listened more closely to the adults when you were smaller. Your post was ridiculous.
I wish to share with you my experience as a teenager.
Hi T: Your story sounds a little like what happened to me as a teenager. Well really I was a virgin until 17, but after that I went through a period when I declared my independence -- or at least I thought I was. You are so right though about girls waiting and they should not just go for sex with the 1st boy they meet. I really feel sorry for girls who get caught up in this lifestyle, thinking to be popular with the boys, they have to do this. Where are their mothers and dads who should guide them and give them enough confidence that they can just walk away and not worry if they are popular or not.
I find this behavior very sad and disappointing for the girls involved. Of course now that I am much older and I realize how foolish this was for me. But there is still a hypocritical element to our society and boys want to get as many of the girls they can, but in the end they do not respect them. What a vicious circle it is as a teenager. I am just glad that is all behind me, as I am up in age near retirement.
If I had a chance to talk to the young girls, I know what I would say. You must value yourself and avoid any young men who would degrade you in any way. I just wish I had a mother to be there for me at that very difficult time in my life. That would make all the difference in the world.
P.S. T do not be too harsh on yourself. I think I know where you were coming from (mind set). This is a painful part of my past, which I have always wished to cover up. It is healing to bring it out in the open.
I wish to share with you my experience as a teenager.
Hi T: Your story sounds a little like what happened to me as a teenager. Well really I was a virgin until 17, but after that I went through a period when I declared my independence -- or at least I thought I was. You are so right though about girls waiting and they should not just go for sex with the 1st boy they meet. I really feel sorry for girls who get caught up in this lifestyle, thinking to be popular with the boys, they have to do this. Where are their mothers and dads who should guide them and give them enough confidence that they can just walk away and not worry if they are popular or not.
I find this behavior very sad and disappointing for the girls involved. Of course now that I am much older and I realize how foolish this was for me. But there is still a hypocritical element to our society and boys want to get as many of the girls they can, but in the end they do not respect them. What a vicious circle it is as a teenager. I am just glad that is all behind me, as I am up in age near retirement.
If I had a chance to talk to the young girls, I know what I would say. You must value yourself and avoid any young men who would degrade you in any way. I just wish I had a mother to be there for me at that very difficult time in my life. That would make all the difference in the world.
P.S. T do not be too harsh on yourself. I think I know where you were coming from (mind set). This is a painful part of my past, which I have always wished to cover up. It is healing to bring it out in the open.
Bulemic teenager - advice needed...sm
I've suspected for a while that my soon to be 16 stepdaugher is bulemic but her dad doesn't believe it. Right after she eats a meal she goes to the bathroom and stays a long time. She has lost about 40 lbs over the past year. Today while doing laundry I found a note that she wrote and says:
Eat & Die. No eat for a week (in & out) Lose 10 lbs. Eat again.
I am going to share this with my hubby when he calls while on a lunch break from work. Perhaps now he'll believe me. I've called the pediatrician's office and left a message for them to call me with the name of a psychologist treating eating disorders to take her to.
Any ideas of how to handle him if he still is in denial? I'm sure the stepdaughter will deny the eating disorder... she did before when I asked her about it. Overall she & I do have a good relationship but this is an area I know she's not being honest about.
i would take this opportunity to educate your teenager and her friends sm
on cycles and ovulation. you can only get pregnant during ovulation, which is usually 10-14 days after they start that time of the month. educate them at least and give them info to research and educate themselves. of course abstinence or protection is best, but education is better compared to kids having kids too.
teenager vomiting each month without menses
Hey all. Need some advice. I have a neice who has started vomiting violently every month, but has yet to begin menstruating. We are thinking it may be related to her period/onset of her period. i have heard of this somewhere, but for the life of me cannot remember what I heard. Any information/advice?
Also, anyone here that can recommend a good ob/gyn in the Lexington, Kentucky area?
Thanks in advance.
HC
What do you think of the quality of clothing today. What I looked at shopping today in nice stores
the stuff wasnt even sewn properly. Do you have to look at everything you buy or just hope it lasts a year.
Please take the phones out of the little girls' hands!
Just got thru watching AI and am disappointed YET AGAIN that Sanjaya was not voted out. It's gotta be all those little 13-year-old girls that are voting for him, because there's not one lick of talent there. Granted Stephanie wasn't at her best last night, but she was at least 10 times better than Sanjaya. They all were, for that matter! Oh well, I still don't believe he will make it much longer. At least I hope not.
AI - good show. Can't get thru on the phones, though.
I won't say any more since the left-coasters haven't seen it yet.
the phones were not working last night
I got through one time to vote for Melinda but then, after that - the first phone # said this number is not registered (recording) and the other number(s) said *for a charge of $6.99 you will reach a national directory service* and was sending you to a number like 10115158000. The numbers last night were all messed up. I went to American Idol's website and there was NOWHERE to report that the phones (all lines) were all messed up for hours.
So, in my guesstimation, the outcome of the show will be totally wrong/slanted/fixed.
Betcha American Idol has no clue at this point (early a.m. Wednesday) that this even happened last night.
I have a couple of Verizon phones.. SM
That I will be willing to sell. They're the enV phones, pratically brand new. We moved and can't use them in our new house in another state so Verizon let us out of our contract. If you are going to sign up with Verizon let me know.
We have 2 phones, family plan with 200
free text messages and my bill is only 65.
On mine and husband's phones s/m
My husband and I have it disabled on our phones. We are not teenagers,so we don't text, and we were getting charged every time we got a junk text, even if we didn't open it. Our kids have a monthly plan, but if they go over they have to pay.
she absolutely can be judged harshly; any teenager should be for this reason
nm
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