Texting Teen...

almost! On the recommendation of a good book "Raising the Modern Day Knight" Chuck and I have tried to create some rites-of-passage, from boyhood to manhood, for our sons.

The first one we created was for them acquiring their own key to our home. Chuck and I decided that on the Christmas after their 10th birthday, they would be presented with their own key. Chuck does a great job of making this a rite-of-passage. He tells them about the responsibility they have to keep our family safe by not losing the key. They are funny about it. We had no idea it would be such a big deal. Each boy has figured out on a calendar when they will get their own key. They even talk about it from time to time amongst themselves or remind us what Christmas they'll get their own key. We know this is very special to them.

The second rite-of-passage for the boys, is their first cell phone. Chuck and I were split on this. If he had it his way, they'd all have one. I don't see the need, until they are age appropriate for being at events where a specific adult isn't assigned for their care. An example might be a school ballgame. Although there are chaperons, no one adult keeps up with a particular child.

We decided for this rite-of-passage that when they enter 7th grade they'll get their first cell phone. This is also the age when they enter the youth group at church. All of the sudden there are many times that a child isn't under specific adult care. Boo, hoo, hoo!

Zachary received his cell this past Saturday. It was a BIG BIG DAY! Chuck had a great time picking out a phone and a plan that would work for our family. Knowing Zack, we opted out of the GPS that can be installed. (We are saving our money for NEXT summer when Wesley enters 7th grade, we'll need a general positioning system to keep him honest and safe.)

Zack's been texting up a storm, testing to see if the unlimited texting plan is true (105 texts at last count.) I have to say it's been nice. He can text his friends about all the busy things in a teens life.

He's been given orders about appropriate times he can and can't use the phone, and the course of action we'll take if he disobeys. (I for one would love for him to disobey. I really like his phone! Well, no I don't really want him to disobey.)

We have another BIG BIG day around the corner. On Wednesday he'll be a teenager (boo, hoo, hoo!) I'll post pictures of my texting teen soon (boo, hoo, hoo!)

Can you tell I'm having trouble with him being a teenager? When did he too big to hold? Boy I mean he's way too big to hold. He wears a men's 13 shoe, weighs 130lbs (all bone and muscle- not fat) and is 5 feet 6 already. I'm afraid to let him go to sleep--he might grow.