The article discusses a parent's experience of granting their daughter a cell phone at age 11, highlighting the importance of establishing rules and maintaining open communication. As their daughter grew, the rules evolved to promote balance and safety, fostering productive usage of the phone. Despite challenges and rule breaches, the emphasis on teaching over punishment formed a trusting parent-child relationship. The narrative underscores the significance of guiding children through the complexities of online interactions, reassuring that parents play a vital role in their children's digital lives.
We set clear rules from the start: limited screen time, no apps without permission, and no phones in the bedroom at night.
Instead of punishing her when rules were broken, we reinforced boundaries and talked about why our rules mattered.
I realized that while I can't control every interaction she has, I can be there to guide her when she needs me.
These hiccups were frustrating, but they also taught us the importance of flexibility and communication.
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