I tried to do a search for this topic, and didn't find one. So my apologies if it has been discussed before.
Two years ago, my daughter was at a different school when she was in first grade (she is now in third grade and has been at the same school when we switched her in second grade), and unfortunately as awesome as this school was, the population wasn't so good. We don't live in a large city, but in a downtown area because we live in a loft, which we absolutely love and wouldn't have it any other way.
OK, there were several instances at her prior school where she would need to get a hold of me right away, and apparently the office phone wasn't always available. And one time, when her bus arrived at the bus stop a few minutes early, and obviously she couldn't call me. Luckily, the bus driver waited with her until I showed up.
We got her one of those Firefly phones and it worked very well for its intended purpose—emergencies. Especially since she was 7 years old, she had no problems learning to use it.
Ever since she has been at this other school, luckily she hasn't needed to call me for an emergency (but obviously we can't determine when emergencies will happen), but if she does, she can easily go to the office phone.
Last year however, the school had a tornado warning so the school was on lock down, which made it almost impossible for parents to call. My daughter couldn't call me because the office phone was inundated with parents calling and kids calling their parents, etc.
Since I let her Firefly phone expire, I am contemplating getting her another one, but this time, a regular-styled phone, not the Firefly phone. But I think it would be in my best interest to get a Go Phone—a pay-as-you-go phone—not a regular one on my plan with Sprint. This way, I can monitor her usage, etc. She would be the ONLY person in her age group that has a phone.
Is this insane to do this? I am wanting to do it for emergency purposes only, but realize that she may be at the age where having a cell phone is perceived as being "cool."
What is your advice/opinion on this?
Sorry for the long thread.
Two years ago, my daughter was at a different school when she was in first grade (she is now in third grade and has been at the same school when we switched her in second grade), and unfortunately as awesome as this school was, the population wasn't so good. We don't live in a large city, but in a downtown area because we live in a loft, which we absolutely love and wouldn't have it any other way.
OK, there were several instances at her prior school where she would need to get a hold of me right away, and apparently the office phone wasn't always available. And one time, when her bus arrived at the bus stop a few minutes early, and obviously she couldn't call me. Luckily, the bus driver waited with her until I showed up.
We got her one of those Firefly phones and it worked very well for its intended purpose—emergencies. Especially since she was 7 years old, she had no problems learning to use it.
Ever since she has been at this other school, luckily she hasn't needed to call me for an emergency (but obviously we can't determine when emergencies will happen), but if she does, she can easily go to the office phone.
Last year however, the school had a tornado warning so the school was on lock down, which made it almost impossible for parents to call. My daughter couldn't call me because the office phone was inundated with parents calling and kids calling their parents, etc.
Since I let her Firefly phone expire, I am contemplating getting her another one, but this time, a regular-styled phone, not the Firefly phone. But I think it would be in my best interest to get a Go Phone—a pay-as-you-go phone—not a regular one on my plan with Sprint. This way, I can monitor her usage, etc. She would be the ONLY person in her age group that has a phone.
Is this insane to do this? I am wanting to do it for emergency purposes only, but realize that she may be at the age where having a cell phone is perceived as being "cool."
What is your advice/opinion on this?
Sorry for the long thread.