Weekend Wisdom: How to Handle Cell Phone Use With a 14-Year-Old Foster Child
Question: I just became a foster parent of a 14-year-old girl. She came with a cell phone paid for by her prior foster family. I told them I wanted to take over payments. I also want to sit down with her periodically and spontaneously and ask her to show me what she’s been doing on her phone while I show her what I do on my phone. I hope she will realize she can tell me anything and that I won’t hide things from her. Is this a good idea? How should I approach it? Do you think it will build trust, or will she resent it?
Resources:
- Managing Technology & Screens (Resource page)
- Welcoming an Older Child to Your Home (Resource page)
- Raising Foster Children (Resource page)
Music Credit: Michael Ashworth
Podcast Producer: Megown SoundWorks
Image Credit: Andrea Piacquadio