If you have a child of almost any age, as a parent, you have most likely heard this question, “Can I have a cell phone?”. Approximately 77% of kids ages 12-17 and 56% of kids ages 8-12 have cell phones. Parents are faced with a tough decision. It takes a fair amount of discipline and sense of responsibility to have a cell phone and most kids aren’t ready for that before middle school, and for some into high school. Cell phones are expensive and we worry that access to the internet may not always be safe and appropriate. Also, cell phones cause distractions in school and while driving. On the other hand, cell phones are a great way to communicate with your child, send reminders and help them in an emergency. And, even though we don’t want it to matter, “everyone else has one” can be one of the most important reasons to your child. Read More