When teenagers run amok, they generally are quite astonished at your lack of congeniality when you ask them why your home pc has viruses from online downloading. When faced with cell phone charges that are beyond the point of reason, due to having used it like a remote intercom with their best friend while they were out-of-state, they might flip their hair and wonder glibly why all grown-ups are so tight-fisted. If you are facing budget problems with your phone, your pc, your fine electronics, because your teenager or kid thinks they are free toys, you need to set some boundaries and save your sanity while saving your budget.

Don’t Rely on Your Kid’s Good Nature

The first rule of thumb is to remember they are kids. Many teenagers have no concept of economics nor do they care about the cost of minutes on a cell phone when remote roaming. Just take it for granted that it’s beyond them at this stage of life. Until they are the ones paying the bills, you will have to be the adult setting the boundaries. Here are a few ways to stop the arguments from happening:

  • Lock it up
    You bought it, it’s yours. When they buy it, it’s theirs. This is especially important if you work at home and have laptops that they want to use. Keep your work separate from your home life, especially your teenager’s inquisitive fingers.
  • Password Protect/Lock code
    Password protect your phone and your pc. Don’t write that information down and don’t use anything too obvious like the word ‘password.’ Check to see that the password works and you can’t cancel out of it and still access your equipment.
  • Review the plan
    Cell phones are particularly tricky. Many cell phone providers have great plans for unlimited minutes on nights and weekends. Sometimes these work great and other times the child still refuses to abide by the rules. If they can’t stay within the guidelines, you can get a prepaid cell phone that limits their time based on different plans. Once they go over, they can either fill up from their allowance or earnings when it gets low or it goes dead.
  • A private office
    Having a private office in the home is a good way to set a boundary that should be respected. Get a good set of keys and lock the door to keep them out of it.
  • Review the rules
    No downloading from unsafe sites. Decide which equipment is in danger of being abused or neglected and review the rules for each. No installing of new applications on the pc without approval. No hauling off to school with their expensive laptops, computers, or cameras to share with friends. Use whatever works for your family. No remote roaming without engaging permission.
  • Infractions mean loss of privileges
    Using electronic equipment is not a right, it’s a privilege. If they defy the rules, take away their phone or computer privileges on their own equipment. After a few days of being disconnected, they’ll get the message.

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