Trying not to scare my daughter?

Question

My 6 year old daughter (with life threatening allergies) worries me when she is going to be taking the bus. God forbid anything happen, I would just REALLY like her to have a phone. I have a gut feeling about this one, and for $10 a month, I'm going to listen to it.

I decided on the Migo. It can only call 4 people, plus 911. Reviews are really great!

http://search.verizon.com/?q=migo&st=NY&tp=r&rv=r

Anyway, I want to help my daughter understand what her phone is for. ONLY EMERGANCIES. How do I get her to understand a situation that she needs to call me without getting scared?

Answer 1

Wow. I do think it is a good idea for her to have a phone. Just make sure she knows it isn't a toy and only to be used when absolutely necessary. let the bus driver, and teachers know your concerns and that she carries it. It is the couple of minutes of calling 911 right away rather than going to the office and getting someone to do it that could save her life. I think you should say to her " remember when you got really sick (or however she got with the allergies) and you had to go to the DR? Well when you call 9-1-1 it calls the DR to let them know how you feel, and this phone is only for calling the DR." Or something along those lines.  Best of luck to you ,and hopefully she never needs to use the phone!

Answer 2

Is your daughter going to be able to inform the 911 dispatcher of her exact location?  A cell phone does not give the exact address and even though it can usually give a general location, there are times when the signals bounce off towers that are far way (out of your county).  I would be more concerned about teaching my daughter how to use an epi pen or inhaler, etc. and only use the phone as a backup.  I would hope that you make the teacher and bus driver aware of your daughters needs and teach them what to do in an emergency as well as just giving your daughter a cell phone.  As for what to say to your daughter, tell her the truth.  Tell her that her phone is only to be used if she is having an allergic reaction or if someone is trying to abduct her!

Answer 3

You could discuss emergencies that aren't necessarily scary...like if she missed the bus, or if the bus got a flat tire on the way to school, and just kind of throw in other emergencies that she needs to know about, like strangers, etc.

Answer 4

Don't get her a cell phone, she is way too young. If there really are that many allergies maybe you should consider driving her to and from school. Also if there is a major emergency, she wouldn't be able to call you anyways. It is a huge mistake to get her a phone when she is only 6 years old, what about when she loses it or when you get a call from her teacher asking you why she has a phone at her age. If there is a problem, talk to the bus driver, the school nurse, her teacher, and the principal. They all should be able to assist you in a way better than getting a little girl a cell phone.

Also, you could do what I do. I have a list of emergency numbers in my daughter's backpack. That way she knows where they are if there is a need for them. I will also schedule to meet with her teacher and make the teacher aware of the numbers and there location if there is an emergency.

I am a teacher, so I know a lot about how schools cover emergencies. The school and teacher have access to many different numbers, if there is an emergency, I would rather hear from someone at school than one of my daughter's friends.

Answer 5

I'd try to let her know to use it only to call you (even though you mean for emergencies, I wouldn't tell her that). I'd say something like, "You're getting to be a big girl and I just want you to call me if you need something important. But only call me, because that's why I'm letting you have this phone. It's a responsibility and I think you're ready for it". Hope this helps!

Answer 6

I would role play with her. You can tell them and tell them but it's when you act out situations that the information really sticks. Kids learn from play so role playing is a great way to teach her when to use the phone and when not to.

For example tell her you will act out a situation pretending to be her and she has to try and guess whether that would be a time to use the phone or not.

You might pretend to be sitting on the bus and realize you forgot your lunch bag at school. Then you ask her "would that be an emergency?" if she says "yes" then you exaplin why it's not and role play the same thing again until she starts to "get" what is an emergency and what is not.

You will want to role play some true emergencies as well so she sees the difference. The idea of the emergencies will be less scary when you are role playing because it will be a game to her.

good luck

Answer 7

first ask her if she knows what her allergies are and what to do if she has a reaction. if she answers yes present her with the idea of the cell phone (although i think 6 is too young for a cell phone)

then tell her only when she had a bad reaction can she call you

also let her teachers know so they can call if need be

Answer 8

I would just tell her if she ever gets this feeling inside that she is scared and wishes mommy was there , then you call mommy! Kids are very smart  and I do believe she will understand this! If you worried that she does  not understand ask her! If she shows a concern she doesn't know what your talking about  Just Tell Her! Better to be safe than sorry!

Cheers!

Answer 9

Does she know how to call 911 from home, if not explain both at the same time, if so use that as an example for the phone.

Talk about strangers, and what to do if she gets left or dropped off at the wrong place. Things like that shouldn't scare her, she will probably be curious and concerned but not scared.

Answer 10

Tell her that this is a phone for emergency only and if anything bad happens then to call.