In our very unusual neighborhood, we have decided to afford our ten-year-old a good deal of independence and freedom. This is result is a result of our very informed decision to encourage free and imaginative play outside the home, building independent coping and social skills. Also, we are so raggedy-ass after work that we just want the kid to get the hell out of the house.
But eventually we do want him back. Family dinner is a value as much as a meal in our house, so it’s important that the kid get himself back to the house in time to get served. Where we live, for better and for worse, offers a lot of potential distractions for a ten year old boy: athletic fields (sometimes with games being played on them), nature trails, other children by the score.
There are lots of things that are more interesting than keeping track of time and getting back to gather around the table with grownups and siblings. So we’ve seen a little pattern of lateness setting up in the last couple of weeks. Which is all fine and good until I’m hauling my butt around in the fading light looking for my kid with steam pouring out my ears.
How to deal with this issue would seem to me to divide parents into two camps: Give the kid a watch, or give the kids a cell phone.
Watch:
Pros — Kid learns to manage his time on his own, learns he is responsible for himself, much cheaper, less likely to get him into trouble with girls (yes, already), less obnoxious overall
Cons — Not much use if he falls and breaks his leg, easily lost
Phone:
Pros — Better in emergency situations, makes updates and redirects possible mid-free time, teaches responsible use of tech
Cons — Usage pitfalls everywhere, makes parents responsible for getting him home, easily lost
I suppose a compromise is that you could give a phone to a kid situationally. But for the time being, let’s pretend that option didn’t exist. So, which are you, watch or phone?
In case you can’t guess where I stand, I went on Amazon and bought three very cheap Timex watches yesterday. And also a cheap but durable new phone for an existing second line.
Try an air horn. (or a triangle…you are in TX after all….)
We actually did try a bell. He ranges pretty far — over an area of approx. 400 acres.
Your neighborhood sounds like an awesome place to raise kids. I sincerely hope we can get away from Metro DC “someday” and move to a more family friendly environ…
Hmmm… I think watch is the way to go… kids rarely are playing alone in the neighborhood, so if an emergency happens, someone is more than likely going to be there… sounds like a bustling ‘hood anyway.
I hope you didn’t buy digital watches…
This seems like a good application of a 2-way pager. You might be the only person who knows the number.
Cell phones seem a bit much to give to a kid who can’t pay for the service themselves. GPS transceiver watches are little overboard. But that would cut down on your “track down” time. You need the exercise anyway, don’t you?
Arent there chaparone(GPS locator) functions on a lot of phones nowadays whereby you can check where your child is at any time? I’m sure Disney were offering that service, but here is a link from Verizon who do provide the service.
https://products.vzw.com/index.aspx?id=fnd_toolsApps_childFinder
We’re going to do a bit of both for the time being. I upgraded to a military-spec phone for my wife (she never carries it) that I will let him carry in some situations. Wearing a watch is a pain for kids that play athletics and have to be taking them on and off, but conceptually I like the idea better than giving a kid a phone at ten.
i believe the verizon chaperone system allows you to monitor the child from your computer too, if that helps.
I would never use the Verizon chaperone or any similar tracking system with my kid. I think that system would send a very loud and clear message to my child that I don’t trust him, and he is not responsible enough to take care of himself. Exactly the opposite of what I want my kid to feel.
Oh I would/will, indirectly. But not without explaining it to him… ie: You know I can check where you were/who you called/etc., so please don’t lie to me. If I have no reason not to trust you, I have not reason to check.
Mmmm….sounds like…”if you haven’t done anything wrong, you don’t have anything to worry about..”. When you start hearing that phrase, you know that the police state is in effect. I’m just sayin…
I suppose… yea, it will be a bit of a police state, ’cause I am the Dad and I said so!
“My house, my rules…” that whole thing…
Cell phones are compulsory items in Taiwan. My wife an I are in constant contact using ours. Lulu is only 3 so far from the age of self supervision. But with it’s own clock, sms option, alarms and instant access potential in an emergency we are well on the way to being a 21st century family unit.