Give Your Kids a Cell Phone So You Can Talk to Them More (Yeah, Right!) by Dawn Taylor

As soon as my girls started campaigning for cell phones, I put it off as long as possible. "But all the kids have them!!" my two preteens cried.

"If they jumped off a bridge, would you jump, too?" I asked, using the age-old parental retort.

"Mom, that's just stupid, who would do that?" Together they'd stomp off dreaming of the day their mom wasn't such a smart ass.

Then I started thinking how nice it would be to be able text them and have them text me at random times. Life is busy, so that was a selling point knowing I would get to hear from throughout the day. I could text them a lot ... and use cool emojis. 

So, I caved. And what wonderful texts I receive every day.

• "Mom, there isn't any toilet paper in this bathroom," was a recent one from one floor up.

• "Mom, we need snacks."

• "Mom, you forgot to sign my permission slip. Drop it of by lunch."

• "Mom, Peyton is playing her music too loud. Tell her to stop."

• "Mom, can I go the movies?"

Ugh. Not really conversation. And they claim I send too many emojis. Sigh.

One good thing about their cell phones? If they are being bratty, I just threaten to take the phones away. And sometimes I do! (Insert laughing emoji with tears here.)