ISSUE #56: Got Our Tween on Speed Dial

Plus, the SIX cute phone accessories to lighten up your winter look

It’s estimated something like eighty-seven percent of teens own an iPhone. Yet, it’s still a rather taboo topic. In general I find it to be not a questions of if, but when for most parents.

Our children are growing up in New York City and that fact alone means they cannot be raised in a bubble. By living in this city they are exposed to a lot of things. My husband and I are very open with our children about the realities of life and we try not to shelter them.

This manifests in all sorts of ways for our family of four. Yes, most often we watch films at home that might have more mature themes than their friends watch (Crazy Stupid Love is a current favorite). We commute daily almost exclusively by subway which, while it gets us around town faster than those who drive or take Ubers, it does mean they encounter all types of people and situations.

Now, at seven and 10, we allow them to walk short distances alone. Not very far but, for example if we are out in our neighborhood and I need to run errands I will allow the girls to walk a few blocks home by themselves.

Recently trust and independence came to the forefront of our parenting decisions because… Hermione got an iPhone.