Our children, usually teenagers, have an obsession with the phone. It seems they spend more time talking on the phone than nearly anything else they do. It probably won't kill them to be on the phone too much, but it can be damaging to the relationship that you have with them. Children also need to learn how to control certain behaviors so that they will be prepared for life when they are thrown into the real world. There are ways to get your child to talk on the phone less. Here is a look at some of the actions you can take to slow down phone time for your child:

Set Limits

Parenting is about setting limits for your child. This is what teaches them that things should be done in moderation. Phone time is no different. Set a certain amount of time for your child to talk on the phone. Telling your child that he/she has a limit of one total hour of phone time a day is one way to go about it. You could limit the amount of time that a child spend on the phone such as fifteen minutes each time he/she talks with a break in between phone calls of two hours. There are many combinations that you can use to limit their phone time.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are a great invention, unless you are the parent of a child who owns one. Your child doesn't have to have a cell phone. Although these gadgets can come in handy at times, you should make strict rules about the use of them. For instance, set time limits as described above or the phone doesn't stay in your child's room throughout the night. If your child finds him/herself on restriction, the phone should be taken away from him/her and put someplace where he/she will not find it. Otherwise, you might find yourself with an extremely high phone bill.

Off Limits

Your child's phone should be off limits at certain times. For instance, dinnertime should be a family venture. It is a time for the family to sit down and talk without interruption. Have your child turn off the phone during dinner or other family events. Do not allow you child to answer his/her phone during these times. You must also follow the rule for yourself. Leading by example will help the situation.

Homework

Your child should always keep his/her school work as a top priority. Instilling this thought into your children is one of the most important things that you can do for him/her. Your child should not be allowed to use the phone until after the school work is finished. This is an important step to take concerning your child's education. He/she should be concentrating on the work at hand, not wrapped up in a phone call about who likes whom.

Just Say No

Simply tell your child that enough is enough. If you feel that he/she has been on the phone too long, tell him/her that it's enough for the night. There is nothing wrong with saying the word no to your child. There are other things in life than a phone. Your child should know that there is. You should back this up by spending some extra time with him/her. Keeping your child busy will keep his/her mind off the phone more. Put a puzzle together or play a game. Take a walk around the block to encourage your child to talk to you about things.

When your child has discovered the phone, you may find that his or her world is rapt completely up in it. The phase will pass, in the meantime, take some steps to restrict the use of it. Your child will see that it isn't as important as what he/she thinks it is. Don't take the phone completely away, unless it is a punishment. Just let your child know that life is a lot more than having a piece of equipment stuck to his/her ear.

Learn more about this author, Dawn Hawkins.
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