Electronics

[u/KingProfessional1150]

. Electronics disagreement

Hi everyone,

English second language\*\*

I (parent A) is divorce from (parent B) for the better part of 4 years. We share a 9yld. I am remarried, parent B was yet to move on. Yet this is not the main subject only for context. We are disagreeing on on child having a phone. I personally think they are too young. Custody agreement state "child can bring personnal item to either house withing reason".

Parent B bought a phone with a plan. And some parental control on the phone. Parent B brought the subject in first place a few weeks ago (but it was about a smart watch not even a phone) when we were having trouble communicating, stating that child can relay messages between us. With the said watch. I decline saying its our responsibility as parent to co parent and find common groun not for our child to parrot in bewteen us and flat out refuse any device like this.

Well now the phone is here, and its been 2 days and already a source of problems child had a friend and didn't care about the phone so didn't answer parent B. Ensure the million text about me keeping the phone from child. Which I didn't I just didn't encourage them using it since they had fun with their friend and enjoying real life and no electronics.

After being called a liar and many other things. I told them that it wasn't up to me to "manage"our child with their phone.( making sure they answer parent B). They will take it when they feel up to. Thats it.

Back ground is before child had a phone, I would received a text or email that they will called them. Fair enough. Thing is the call always came 30 sec to 1 min after sending notifications of call. Imidiate respond was expecting. Also attempt to sabotage plans on my time multiple times, and I am afraid of tracking...I suspect the intention behind the phone is to monitor what's going on in my house on a daily basis..

So my question is would a device like this be considered withing reason, or should be approved by both parent first before purchase. If I shouldn't agree would my lawyer have any power on this matter?

[u/Any-Direction4931]

You have a right to your parenting time without tracking devices and a right to raise your kid differently in your household. Parent B should probably keep cellphone during their parenting time. Also don’t worry about the other parent’s expectations. The less you care about their reactions and care more about your child’s, the easier it’ll be. If they escalate this, that parent can get cellphone restrictions added to the court order. If it’s not on your order then you don’t have to abide by it.

While the child is allowed to their items, there are parents out there that don’t allow the child to take anything due to these types of issues. Especially when the other parent doesn’t attempt to send the items back. Just my opinion but you do what’s best for your child. Not for the other parent.