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Mum shares strict mobile phone rules in her house and the internet can’t handle it!

Glennon Doyle shared on her Facebook how when people visit her house she has a phone in the basket policy.

“I love my kids’ friends so much that I want them to talk to each other at our house. So Abby and I have them check their phones at the door. Which we can do cause we’re the bosses of this house.

“They all act exasperated but seem interestingly relieved. Then, after a minute, they look at each other. And talk. And dance and laugh and stuff. And they remember that they are with their friends so there is no need to be anywhere else.”

Many people loved her idea and were willing to give it a try as well.  While others said it was setting a bad example.

– One comment read, “If an adult tries to confiscate my child’s only way to contact a parent, I’m teaching them it’s a red flag. This is an unhealthy power dynamic & not something you should be setting up. Bad example, Glennon Doyle. It’s just not 1995 anymore and we need to teach our kids how to work with what we have rather than try to parent through nostalgia.”

– Another said, “Sorry, while it’s tempting to want to force children to enjoy their social time the way we did as children, because we feel it’s “better”, at the end of the day, technology isn’t going away. If someone told me I couldn’t have access to my phone in order to socialize I’d be incensed. I use my phone to Google things we are talking about, show off pictures of kids and vacations, check the weather while planning a trip, call or FaceTime relatives who can’t be there, etc. There’s no reason children and teenagers can’t use media responsibly and socially. If they aren’t then it’s like everything else… We the ADULTS are supposed to be modeling appropriate social behavior, regardless of which media outlets are nearby. Can you imagine when the printing press came out, if parents banned newspapers or books during social time? How does this help them learn to integrate and balance technology/media with face to face interaction? It’s adults placing value on something because of our nostalgia… Let the children decide how to experience their time together. Only by making our own decisions do we actually learn.”

– “I’d be upset if I tried to reach MY child, and wasn’t able to because someone took away the phone that I pay for and provide for MY child.”

– “What if a kid feels unsafe/uncomfortable & needs to text their parent to pick them up but doesn’t want to draw attention to themselves by going to get their phone? This is just grandstanding.”

– “I understand where you’re coming from, but as parents we have to teach our children to limit themselves. I think you need to take a good hard look at this. I can’t imagine what this did to the high anxiety kid in the bunch. Or the one being excluded or the one with a headache or whatever. By the number of phones there, odds are you had at least one kid that needed a lifeline. Phones, tech, etc are here to stay. Teach your children to find their limits. Much harder than doing it yourself initially. But, then all of a sudden, they’re doing it themselves.”

– “As a parent I think I’d be a little peeved if someone else felt the authority to take my child’s phone from them…”

Do you think it is a good idea, or feel like it is overstepping some boundary?

Share your comments below

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  • I dont think its “Someone taking the phone off the child”….they are asking them to put their phones in the basket and the kids would know this is the rule in this house. If as a parent you are not happy with this then you are going to have to ban your child from going to that house and I bet your child will not be happy with you. Looking at the number of phones in the basket the kids obviously love being there. They know if they need to make a call then they go and get their phone and pop outside. Its really not that big of a deal and I think this is an awesome idea.

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  • Fine with your own kids but other peoples phones are not yours to take. What if a kid had a medical issue and needed to text their parent for help./

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  • Not a bad idea, a lot of people are just glued to their phones.

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  • I think it’s fine. Would be a great idea especially for the family even, not just when people come over.

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  • I have zero problem with this. I would just flag with the kids’ parents what the rules are and that if they come over, they will check their phone. Can’t imagine too many parents would be sad their kids weren’t attached to their phones!

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  • I must admit, I don’t like that when we have visitors over everyone is always on their phone. It’s often so quiet but with TV or music on, and when you look at the kids, they’re not communicating with each other because they’re all on their phones. I find it really rude.

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  • Well sometimes you are spending time with your family but everyone is on their phones…

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  • I agree wholeheartedly with this mum – and if parents don’t like it then they have to tell their kids they can’t go there and why. Bet they just might get a few comments like – but I want to go and I don’t care if I don’t have my phone for a little while.

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  • I think it’s a good idea. And if the child requires to ring their parents then I would allow them to do so

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  • I understand why she does it, but it should only be with the child’s parents permission. If she did it to my daughter she wouldn’t be going back. My daughter has her phone for ringing me and 000 only as she has food allergies (req epi-pen) and asthma.

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  • I think it’s a good idea. Too many people just communicate using the phones and they are in the same room! madness

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  • Her house her rules you can not send your child there if you disagree with it.

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  • This is a good idea but instead of taking their phones off them, ask them to turn the sound off and not to use their phone while inside your house.

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  • Great idea, the kids will be setting examples for others that they can interact without technology, how refreshing. Of course if it was necessary I am sure this mother would allow them to get their phone to ring their parents. I am sick of seeing kids ONLY interacting with their phones, I see it all the time, and teenagers especially, sitting in a group and all are on their phone and no one is even looking at each other, what is the point of socializing if you don’t really socialize in a human way.

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  • Wow I think it’s great the kids can actually have fun and interact with each other my daughter is nine I don’t let her have devices on while friends are over as long as the mother is aware of what is going on with health if someone has an allergy etc I don’t have problem it stops kids getting on their devices bully other kids etc

    Reply

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