Several weeks ago after watching a sobering video (and subsequently posting it here) about the dangers of texting and driving, I took a radical step as a parent. Because I want to set a good example for my future drivers, I told my children how dangerous it is to use your phone while behind the wheel and then challenged them to hold me accountable for it.
The ground rules were simple: If they saw me texting or dialing/chatting while driving they were to say, "Drop the phone." The first one to do so got $1. I am not convinced of the wisdom of this approach...but I was zealous and convicted. Regardless of the wisdom, it has definitely been effective in curbing my bad habits.
I have had to clarify the rules a few times, as they would shout "DROP THE PNOE!!!" at me when I used the bluetooth enabled speakerphone in the car. They have also yelled at me for using the phone while in the passenger seat or the driveway. I don't suppose I have to point out that exuberant, energetic 5 year olds don't just say it quietly one time....they yell it over and over in unison until the call is disconnected.
There have been important calls I have taken (and paid the fine) but for the most part this little exercise has changed my habits for the better. An interesting byproduct has been less time on the phone when my children are around because, honestly, a speaker phone conversation with a gaggle of 5 years olds in the car is difficult to pull off.
I am truly thankful for the break it has given me from the phone...and the extra time for conversation it has meant for K, P, R & me.
I will stop short of suggesting that you have your children hold you accountable...but it has certainly been a powerful lesson for all of us.
6 comments:
I stumbled across your blog today and read your post from yesterday. I just wanted to let you know how precious the list was that your little one made. Its amazing how much they take in! I don't have children (yet!) but have 2 neices who always make me smile when they have little moments like these! Thanks for sharing~
I went to a funeral Saturday of a former student of mine. He was 23 years old, had just finished college, interviewed for a job in Nashville (home), and was on his way back to Knoxville to get ready to move home and get married. He was killed when a 19 year-old who was driving west on I-40 while texting somehow managed to cross the interstate median and hit Brian head-on in the east-bound lane. The texter lived.
It's a good message. Thanks for posting the video. I showed it to my classes last week.
Texting while driving is SO dangerous. I do admit to talking on the phone while driving, it's when I get most of my conversations done!
Oh, I just read the comment from Traci (above). Enough said. Thank you.
Thank you for this post. With a teenage son who drives and a daughter who has her learner's permit, this is a constant worry. We've told our daughter she must put her phone on "silent" when she drives so she won't even be tempted to glance at it should a call or text come in.
Cell phones can be a wonderful saftey device but we certainly have come to depend on them so much that they can also be dangerous.
Accountability is a big deal. Having your kids hold you accountable is a GREAT idea and it takes someone very special to be willing to take a stand like that. I honor what you are doing by doing this. I think far too few people are willing to put themself in a position of being held accountable it is a very difficult thing for me to do as well.
I have a handsfree thing that has malfunctioned and I have picked up the headset on occasion. Your post reminds me I need to do something about that and get my phone in order so I can be legal at all times.
Thank you for sharing.
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