James' World 2

Click the link below the picture

.

After the first year of being divorced, I knew my two kids needed their own phones. It was becoming increasingly difficult to connect with my elementary-aged kids while they were with the other parent.

Adjusting to sharing time with them week to week meant long gaps of time without talking to my kids. This was heartbreaking not only for me but also for my kids.

Whenever I asked my ex how the kids were doing and if I could talk to them, even for a few minutes, it started a huge argument. He gave me a time slot on certain days when I could call and talk to my children. I knew this situation wouldn’t improve, and I had to do something about it, so I got them both phones.

I would’ve waited longer had it not been because of the divorce

If we had stayed married, I might have waited a few more years to give my kids their first phones, but as a divorced parent, the phone was a must-get. I’ll never forget the relief I felt when my kids had their first phones.

My daughter got her first phone in first grade. My son was in fourth grade. Phones are not a one-size-fits-all situation, and I know the thought of phones and kids can be scary for a lot of parents, but for me, I only wished I had gotten my kid’s phones earlier.

Now, I can talk with my kids daily without a middleman. I could send them my love in a simple text with a sunflower or tulip emoji for my daughter or a soccer ball for my son. I could send pictures of a memory from the week before. I could share silly jokes to make them smile, and my caring words would be like a virtual hug.

We text all the time now

My daughter texts me about everything, and I’ll admit I love it. She texts me how she feels, when she has a tummy ache, and shares a video she saw on YouTube that is cute or funny.

She types longer messages than my son, who is now almost 12, and typically replies with a “Good” or just the letter “K.” He texts longer messages when he needs something, such as asking me to bring him 10 dollars or a new pair of socks when he is at a friend’s house. Or he’ll send a text about staying after school for an hour so he can hang out with his friends.

.

The author gave her kids phones so she could stay in touch with them while they were at their dad’s house. FG Trade Latin/Getty Images

.

.

Click the link below for the article:

.

__________________________________________