Candace Cameron Bure Proud to Be an ‘Overly Protective’ Mom

Vince Flores/AFF-USA

Acclimating to first-time motherhood in Canada — where husband Valeri Bure was a hockey star for the Calgary Flames from 1998 to 2001– turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Candace Cameron Bure.

“Some days I was itching to get back to L.A. just to have more movement and action,” she tells Parents Canada, “and at the same time, it was wonderful because I had two brand new little babies and the slower pace was actually a really nice lifestyle as I entered into parenthood.”

Life has sped up considerably since then, of course, and Cameron Bure says she has already talked about sex with daughter Natasha, 11, and son Lev, 10.

“We had separate discussions with them on just the basics because I wanted to make sure we were the first ones that talked to them about it and that they weren’t learning it from friends or school or television or movies,” she explains.

“They know it and they get it,” Cameron Bure, 34, explains. “So, now I am just very careful about what they watch on TV.”

She’s also keeping a close eye on the family computer.

Natasha doesn’t have a Facebook or Twitter account, and Cameron Bure says it will stay that way for the foreseeable future. “This was the first year we allowed her to have an email address and that’s because her school is very progressive with computers and doing work online,” the Make It or Break It star — also mom to 8-year-old Maksim – explains.

“I am so overly protective when it comes to technology because there are so many dangers associated with it,” she continues.

Cell phones also remain off-limits in the Bure home, with Natasha asking for one “almost everyday,” the former Full House star shares. “[Natasha says] ‘But mom, I’m the only one left in school that doesn’t have my own cell phone,’” Cameron Bure relays. “I’m like, ‘Great! Good for all of them.’”

Refusing to bow to the pressure, Cameron Bure adds, “it doesn’t convince me to give her a cell phone.”

Comments

Bertie on July 4th, 2010

Personally, I think it is a good idea for kids over a certain age to have cells in case they get in trouble somewhere and don’t have a pay phone available.

Mina on July 4th, 2010

Good for her. Natasha will learn that her TRUE friends like her whether or not she has a cell phone….and she will have so much more fun with friends who like her for who she is and not the latest fad.

Janet on July 4th, 2010

Right on Candace!! As a 2nd grade teacher…I really don’t see a need for a student to have a cell phone. If they do have them (yes a few lil 7-8 yr olds have them) they are to keep that phone turned off and in their backpacks until after school. (Really, I can’t judge a parents personal choice to spend money on that.) The whole “for an emergency” claim is just an excuse to cave into peer pressure! My classroom has a crazy state of the art telephone. Teens, well I can see why they’d have one. I think I would’ve like one back in high school but geez, I think I’d be so distracted! Cell phones are like when we all wanted a certain pair of L.A. Hightops back in the day, our own phone line in our bedrooms when we were young, or something. We have phones in the classroom and WE ALL survived without cell phones when we were young! And, well, us teachers have cell phones that we will use if need be in any emergency!

JMO on July 4th, 2010

There really is nothing wrong with not allowing her to have a cell phone or FB page. She’s only 11 years old. I do believe cell phones are good for kids who go out w/ friends. It’s a fast easy way for them to keep in touch with you and for you to have easy access to them. But I do believe in monitoring the use of the phone. I dont see why kids need FB pages when they’re in school and pretty much can connect w/ their peers on a daily basis. FB was created mostly for people to get back in touch with people they haven’t seen or heard from. It’s a SOCIAL network. I know people who communicate with their kids via FB while their kids are in their bedrooms!! Pretty sad that we’ve tuned in so much to technology to communicate that we’re forgetting how to communicate face to face!! Keep it up Candace. You seem like a wonderful devoted mother!

Lisa on July 4th, 2010

Bertie, up until the past 10 years kids and adults had to live without cell phones. I agree with once a kid hits a certain age they should have one especially once they begin going out with their friends without an adult present and especially before they get a car. However, I think it is nice to see a mom for a change saying no to a child and sticking with her guns. My kids are too young to have cellphones (age 4 and 6) but I remember my friend who has older children eventually gave in because everyone had one. I guess around age 13 when indepence takes over is when a kid needs a phone. Everyone has their own personal criteria to when a phone is necessary but props to Candance for standing up for her beliefs and not giving in!

jlove_taylor on July 4th, 2010

We didn’t have cellphones growing up and the 8(4 sisters & 3 bros) and of us survived. Our parents managed raise kids without having a cell or email

Stephanie on July 4th, 2010

Sometimes being too over-protective can back fire and make the kids resentful and rebel.

I understand though no cell phones and facebook ect right now. Her children aren’t even teenagers yet.

shirabee on July 4th, 2010

i think she is an excellent mother! every article that she does, comes off that she truely cares for her children and their well being. bertie- in another article it mentions that they do have an extra cell phone in their house and if there is ever a time that it is needed, they will use it!!!

Courtney on July 4th, 2010

Love her!! Her parenting style is very much the same as mine. My oldest girl is 10 and she I have talked to her about sex already. I wanted to be the first to explain things to her. She also knows not to talk about it with ANYONE else at school, because thats their mom or dads job. Mine aren’t allowed to wear revealing clothing, oh and they are not allowed to put up the duece sign in photos or make that stupid pucker face…LOL

There is nothing wrong with protecting your child…its your job!

ss on July 4th, 2010

i agree its a good idea to try to protect our kids from electronic devices. when my 20 year old daughter was in middle school i had the parental locks on the internet limiting her time on it and what she could do. i didnt want her to have a cell phone either, but she had to call me everyday and let me know if she was staying after school to work on homework and get help from her teacher and the office at her school starting charging them $.25 for every call back then and started having a fit with the line down the hall for kids to use the phone everyday. so i had to cave in a get her a cell phone. i actually liked her having one because i could always call her and check up on her and know where she was and that she was ok. she loved her phone….but didnt like that i could now call her all the time to ask her what she was doing! lol

harley on July 4th, 2010

I’m completely with her on FB, Twitter, and cell phones. Now, it’s one thing if your kids are in after school activities on the cell phone front. At a certain age, so be it, I see reason, but 11…eh.

Elisabeth on July 4th, 2010

Love it!! So nice to hear from a parent that sets boundaries and guidelines. As a public school teacher, I see first hand the damage done to children exposed to R-rated movies at a young age. It’s disturbing to watch children act out scenes from the latest R-rated movie on the playground….When I ask the parents about it, they just tell me “Oh, I didn’t think they would really understand it. I really wanted to see the movie and thought it would Ok to take them…..” Um, yeah. Right.

Excellent idea not to give her a cell phone. I do think kids can have emergency cell phones (limited minutes, no texting, no photos, etc.) but sadly, most kids at my school have no restrictions on their phones. They have access to ANYTHING on the Internet through their phone (I know–they tell me about the “naked people” they’ve seen).

Better to be a parent and protect our kids than try to be their “friend” and be sorry later….

Maria on July 4th, 2010

Being overly protective guarantees a future overly rebellious teenager.

Madi on July 4th, 2010

I applaud Candace! Instead of trying to be a “cool mom” she is a responsible parent. A lot of people could learn from her.

Allie on July 4th, 2010

Personally, I would get a cell phone. They don’t have it on them all the time, but if they are going out with friends they can take that cell phone with them. All the kids can share it, and only use it when they are going out without family or another trusted adult.

JM on July 4th, 2010

wow, she sounds a bit over the top. i can understand wanting to protect your kids but i don’t know… i am still a firm believer in showing your kids that you trust them and teaching them how to respect that trust. you know, a kind of innocent until proven guilty idea rather than the other way round. i always think it’s sad that parents have very little faith in their own kids and their own parenting in fact, they don’t trust their kids to be able to LEARN to do the right thing. instead they opt for an all or nothing approach and ban or forbid things, when everyone knows that forbidden fruit tastes sweeter. my five kids are very well behaved and it’s mainly because we DO have clear ideas of discipline and how we want them to behave but they are all backed up with reasons and we are willing to trust our kids to make the right decision and if not, to help them find the right decision.
i just think it’s a healthier relationship to have with your child. my parents never explicitly told me i wasn’t allowed to drink (excessively), smoke, do drugs, break the law, harm other people, be violent etc they just instilled morals in me and tried to TEACH me right from wrong. and guess what? neither my brother or i did any of those horrible things. to this day i try to reason things through in my head based on what is the RIGHT thing to do, rather than on the logic that something was forbidden therfore it is bad….

Seraphina on July 4th, 2010

Everyone says it is a good idea for kids to have a cell phone in case they get into trouble, but really, most of us didn’t have them as children and we all managed to get by! Good on Candace.

Sexy mommom on July 4th, 2010

i think that candace is being a really good mom i didn’t want my children have sell phones but i found it come quite in handy when you need to no where ur children are

alice jane on July 4th, 2010

In that interview she also said that the family has an extra cell phone that they’ll give to the kids when they are going somewhere without their parents or someone Candace and Val might put in charge. Which I think is a great idea, as opposed to actually giving them their own cell phone. I always see kids who can’t be older than 12 texting away, or talking about what text some friend sent them. A good family friend just got her 10 year old daughter an iPhone… if the phone was actually just for safety/emergency purposes, I don’t think they’d have bought her such an expensive or high-tech phone.

Candace always looks great and she has a beautiful family! I have to say I’ve always admired how dedicated she is to just letting her kids be kids and enjoy childhood, instead of treating them like mini-adults.

lila on July 4th, 2010

instead of forbid the kids she should teach them use with limits…

Angi on July 4th, 2010

I agree with her parenting style 100%. She is treating her children like children,not like mini adults,which a lot of parents do.

NLMomma on July 4th, 2010

Kudos to Cameron for actually using parenting skills. I didn’t have kids to let them run my home. I have taught my kids the basics including treating people with respect, respecting their elders and using their manners. My 16 yr old shares a cellphone with me and uses it if she is out. My other 2 younger children know that they can’t have one until their older and more responsible.
I think too many parents either don’t have the time or the drive that it takes to properly raise kids. Give them whatever they want, whenever they want it. These same parents are also the ones that wonder what went wrong later in life when they realize that their kids are spoiled, disrespectful and self absorbed.

robinepowell on July 4th, 2010

I’m with Candace on both the computer and cellphone. Computers are good for when you need to look stuff up (Google or Wikpedia) but other then that, why do teens needs to use the computer? Cell phones, when kids are old enough to pay for the usage themselves. Too many teens have phones and rack up the bill, leaving their parents to pay for it.

Besides, Natasha’s friends have cell phones, she can use one of theirs if it’s an emergency.

J-Lin on July 4th, 2010

Good for Candace.

At the age of 11, where are your children going unsupervised. I made it through school without a cell phone.

Cannot let the inmates run the prision.

Rebecca on July 4th, 2010

I think it’s refreshing to hear about a parent actually more concerned with parenting than trends or self-convenience. Good for her. I didn’t have a cell phone until college and didn’t even know what the internet was until my junior year of high school. I honestly think it would make a huge difference if more parents were a little more open and honest about sex.

Erin on July 4th, 2010

I get where she’s coming from, but on the other hand – if there’d have been cell phones in the 80s and my parents would have demanded I keep it on at all times, I wouldn’t have had all the fun I had! If I’d have been forced to have a cell (which have tracking capabilities) and thus tell my mom and dad the truth about where I was (lest dad show up to drag me home, which he did once or twice anyway) – well, I wouldn’t have a bunch of fun memories, but I probably wouldn’t have been in some of the… interesting places I sometimes found myself.

Stef on July 4th, 2010

I didn’t have a cell phone until I went off to college. Kids don’t need to be calling their friends 24/7. However, they do make cell phones with parental controls that only allow the child to call specific numbers, as set by the parents. If you need your child to have a phone, then this is the kind they should be getting.

jenny on July 4th, 2010

Candace is stunning in this photo! She seems to get more beautiful as the years go by.

jessicad on July 4th, 2010

It’s true we didn’t have cells growing up and we managed just fine, but we also had a ton of pay phones around if something happened, they’ve taken most of those out now so my daughter will get one with limited calling capabilities once she turns 14 or 15 and starts hanging out with friends outside the home, like the mall or movies. I think Candace sounds like a great Mom, too many kids are zoned into their phones or computers and it drives me nuts!!

vicki on July 4th, 2010

I admire Candace for sticking to her principles and trying to keep her children sheltered as long as she can. It is really sad that we live in a world now where children grow up way TOO fast and dont get to enjoy just being a child. There will be plenty of time to give them cell phones and internet, etc!!

cecily on July 5th, 2010

I’ve been kind of creeped out by her parenting style ever since I read that she’s an advocate of Baby Wise.

Vanessa on July 5th, 2010

I didn’t get my first cell phone until I was 21. I am now 32.

Personally, I don’t see the need for kids to have a cell at such a young age. One of my cousins has had one since she was 10.

Candace is being very responsible by not allowing her daughter to have a FB page or a cell phone.

Mom2ThreeGram2Two on July 5th, 2010

I love Candace, her values and morals and her parenting style. The only people I’ve encountered who have had an issue with her, dislike her or feel she is “creepy” are those who won’t come right out and say that her Christianity is what they have the problem with. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk and people are going to be persecuted for sticking to their religious beliefs, Candace included…especially if they are Christians.

hayley on July 5th, 2010

I agree with every thing she is saying but in the back of my mind that mummy voice is singing ‘wait till shes a real teenager’ lol

i have the same views, mind you my children are 20 months and just turned 3 so i have a while to go yet but the thoughts of mobiles and laptops and facebook accounts is enough to tur this mama grey! I hope and i truly do i am strong enough to say no to these things for the right reasons i.e safety/too expensive /not needed rather than because i want to keep them ‘young’ in my eyes for longer.

at the same time though i really hope i can trust my kids t do the right thing …but then i suppose we all want that too

kai on July 5th, 2010

“cannot let the inmates run the prison”

oh. my. god.

JessicaC on July 5th, 2010

She’s spot on! And no I dont believe for one second that being a protective parent guarantees a rebellious teenager. It’s about time some parents start to take back control and raise nice respectable people. When I go out and about with my kids, all I see are disresectful bratty kids, who seem to be the ones in charge. I think we now live in a world of lazy parents, people want kids but they dont want to have to actually raise them.

attitude on July 5th, 2010

I agree to some point, my duaghter had a cell phone at 11, being a single mom, she would be home after school alone until I got off work. I can honestly say the only people she called, me, both sets of grandparents and her dad. She let all of us know that she was there, in the house safe and sound. As far as internet, I didn’t have to worry about that, it was something that she wasn’t interested in. Give her Spongebob Squarepants and she was set, until I got home for homework then dinner. Just my 2 cents….

Heather on July 5th, 2010

I don’t even have a cell phone now and I am 32! My kids will not have cell phones of their own. We will have a family cell phone to use in emergencies (no texting). We also will have a computer in the family room. They will not have their own facebook page, etc. My oldest daughter’s friend (7 yr old) has 3 cell phones and a laptop computer that is better than her mother’s. Kids are so spoiled these days!! What happened to working for what you have? Cars, cell phones, computers, etc are just given to kids!!

Jen DC on July 5th, 2010

With all the new studies coming out about kids’ health and overuse of cell phones, Candace may be on to something here. Furthermore, if she does, in fact, have an extra the kids take when away from their parents, I think that’s sufficient to provide an emergency back up at those times.

As far as FB and Twitter… C’mon, what does an 11 year old need with Twitter? Or FB, for that matter? They are in school most of the day, seeing the same people whom they’ve “befriended” online. During the summer, I’m sure these kids are involved in a bunch of activities – hockey, soccer, gymnastics, what have you – again, with the people whom they’ve “befriended” online. They have a home phone to use to call friends and neighbors… So what’s the point of either of those things RIGHT NOW?

Given how Candace describes the sex conversation with her kids, I’m sure she’ll have similar discussions about internet use with them as well and will guide them through their use of FB (still wouldn’t let ‘em on Twitter tho). I don’t think it’s a case of “distrust” but a case of why let them get a taste of something that’s so useless and time-consuming at the ages of *11*, *10* and *8*? I can’t imagine that they’ll be kept offline for the duration of their time at home and most likely they’ll get a set of rules and times they can use the technology for fun rather than school work or research.

Electra on July 5th, 2010

I agree with her an eleven year olds life should be structured so that there is no need for a cell phone. I got my first cell phone at 14 when I began to travel home unsupervised after participating in extracurricular activities at school. When I was a junior in h.s I got addicted to the Internet and it consumed a lot of my time. Even with restrictions onthe computer. So from my experience I can definitely see the benfits of what she’s doing as a parent.

Rose on July 5th, 2010

I still think the picture on Candace’s own twitter page is really weird. I went there and looked at her page because I was interested to see what she was saying and was I was like, huh? It’s just a strange outfit and pose for her to be adopting with her kid in the picture. Her daughter seems to be looking at her like “mom what are you doing, are you nuts?” Just a little off.

Courtney on July 5th, 2010

I had posted earlier, but I wanted to add to whoever said giving a cell phone to a child for emergencies is an excuse.

No its not…My 9,7 and 6 year old daughters walk home from school everyday. My oldest has a prepaid phone that costs $15 a month to use if someone gets hurt or something happens. It’s a great thing to have. Now, my daughter is not allowed to call her friends on it or have her friends call her. It is strickly an emergency phone.

For the record, my husband and I share 1 prepaid phone…whoever is in the car driving gets it in case of car trouble. That and AAA has been a wonderful for us..LOL

Lauren on July 5th, 2010

Considering that my aunt recently handed her entire Faceboo page over to my 8-year-old cousin for her to use at all hours of the day and night (I’ve caught her on there at 11:30 pm before), get into public fights via her wall and statuses with her equally immature cousins on her other side of the family, and not put her in any sort of camp or lessons for the summe, I find Candace’s nurturing of her obviously extremely happy children more refreshing than ever. I think she does a wonderful job of being honest, realistic, and willing to compromise with her kids (such as allowing them to watch her new show without the more mature dialogue and giving them a cell for emergencies only) while still setting clear boundaries that show she cares about them and their well-beeing. I love reading about this family, and Candace seriously gets more gorgeous the older she gets. Major kudos to her.

leslie gorga on July 5th, 2010

my cousin’s 9-year old daughter has a cellphone, as does her brother, and it really is for emergencies. both kids have type 1 juvenile diabetes, and after the daughter fell and broke her leg at recess, she immediately got a cellphone. not only could she call her mom, but the teacher (who knows about her condition and cellphone) could call my cousin immediately.

leslie gorga on July 5th, 2010

just out of curiosity, and TOTALLY unrelated to this article, is Candace Cameron Bure a devout Christian like her brother?

Mallory on July 5th, 2010

Maria, that’s insane. My mom was protective over me and I’m not rebellious in the least!

Up until the time my oldest sister graduated high school (when she was a senior, my other sister was a junior, and I was a freshman), I didn’t have a cell phone. I either borrowed her phone because we were usually after school at the same time, or borrowed a friend’s. I had no need for it till then. Then, when she went to college, I got her phone, and she got a new one, and it was still a year after that before I got texting. (The other sister was way too irresponsible, and that’s why I got a phone before her.)

As long as parents stick to their beliefs and don’t cave the second the kid starts begging, kids will make do. Seeing 7-year-olds walking around in miniskirts texting just freaks me out, to be honest.

Robyn on July 5th, 2010

Everyone is saying “oh we didn’t have cell phones when we were young and we were fine”, but you people DO realize they’re beginning to remove MOST pay phones due to cell phone use? Pretty soon, there won’t be any.

When my daughter is a teenager and has friends and after school activities I’ll get her a cell phone. When my daughter is younger, she can make phone calls from her friends’ parents house…assuming they even have a home phone at that time!

Kay on July 5th, 2010

who is this girl??

MominMacomb on July 5th, 2010

Way to go Candace on limiting what your child does and does not have at age 11. I also have an 11 year old daughter. She constantly asks me about getting a facebook account and a cell phone. We inform our child that facebook is an absolute not, that it is mostly for adult use and when we feel that she is mature enough and responsible enough, then she will get one whcih will be a very long, long time for now. As far as cell phones go, we grew up without them and we told our daughter that when she gets a job at 16 and can pay for it herself, then she may get one. What did we do without them as kids? She will get by and if she needs to call us when with her friends…..she can use theirs!!!! We really don’t care what everyone else has, we do things age appropriately with our children and are definitely preparing them for the future when as adults they see that it isn’t always possible to have what you want, only what you can afford!

KSmomX5 on July 5th, 2010

I was wary about getting my kids cell phones but with 5 kids & all their activities they really do come in handy. To be able to get a call when soccer practice gets rained out or dance rehearsal runs over saves SO much time & gas for our family. I also like that my 13 DD can keep it in her pocket & it is a tracking device…best thing until we can put a chip in them! Teaching limits is key & most phone cos will also let you limit texting & calls to certain numbers.

B.J. on July 5th, 2010

My parents were never over-protective. They set limits, my sister and I knew what they were. We never NEEDED to rebel. Hope everything works out for Candace and family in the end and that her kids stay the path under the watchful eye of an over-protective mother.

Bancie1031 on July 5th, 2010

On my daughter’s cheerleading team’s she was/is the only one that didn’t have a cell phone (ages 4 and up, yes there are truly 4 year olds here that have cell phone – ridiculous but true) …. She’s about to be 10 and we have discussed getting her one but with limits, it’s still not decided yet but it’s certainly NOT because everyone else has one ….. I believe in protecting your children but at the same time you have to trust that you have done your job as a parent and raised them right.
I remember when I was her age I was wanting my own phone line in my room and a beeper, which neither was ever handed to me I had to work to get my own beeper at the age of 15 and never got my own phone line. So I understand wanting something because everyone else has it or because it’s cool to have it but unless you need it your not going to be getting it. Period end of story.
I love Candace! I always have …. I think she is a terrific mother (from what we as fans have seen and hear) and she has a beautiful family. I love seeing and hearing about this family

Megan on July 5th, 2010

“There really is nothing wrong with not allowing her to have a cell phone or FB page. She’s only 11 years old.”

11 year olds don’t need to be on Facebook. I miss the days when Facebook required a university email to register and there weren’t underage children on there.

Megan on July 5th, 2010

please delete my previous comment. I misread what the poster meant and didn’t see the word “not” originally. Sorry about that

Elizabeth on July 5th, 2010

You know, there are some days I wish *I* didn’t have a cell phone…

Melanie on July 5th, 2010

Leslie, yes she is a born again Christian.

Janny on July 5th, 2010

My daughter wanted a cell phone because her friends all had them so I told her to use her friends’ cell phones and leave me alone. I mean she’s either at school (where she can’t call), at home, with her friends who have phones or at an activity with an adult who will invariably have a phone. Basically she doesn’t need one but she WANTS one because it’s cool like the Internet and wearing slut clothes, etc.

Also, Maria, my parents were trusting and taught me right without telling me what to do and let me make my own mistakes AND I turned out like a whore. No parent is perfect but let’s be honest people like my parents like the idea of kids more than actually raising kids. They wanted to be cool parents which is code for lazy parents that other kids are jealous of since their own parents give a cr*p and set boundaries. I’m glad your turned out well (or at least claim to have turned out well) but if my parents didn’t care enough to give me a curfew or rules then it certainly wasn’t my job to do the right thing. I was a child and children are stupid. That’s why we have adults to raise us. I’m am going to raise my daughter so that she doesn’t have to raise herself and that means having the common sense to see that a 13 doesn’t need a personal phone.

angelbaby33 on July 5th, 2010

My daughter got her cell phone when she started 1st grade. She is not allowed to use it unless she is calling me (after a class, to verify where I am picking her up after school etc.). At her elementary school, there have been too many occasions where she was hurt or sick and the teacher refused to let her call home or the nurse had her lay down for an hour after smashing her ehad on the ground after a kid knocked her over and NO ONE called me. If my kid is not feeling well, I want them home. So now she knows that if she really is sick, to take a bathroom break, call or text me and I will come pick her up. And another silly reason- I remember after Comumbine happened, there were parents who were waiting to see if their children were alive or dead beacuse so many kidsa had taken off into the surrounding woods area and they could not communicate with their kids. I was 19 years old when it happened and I rememebr watching news coverage about that day. I want my kids to be able to get ahold of me/vice versa if anything like that were to happen. So for my piece of mind, the extra $10 a month is absolutely worth it.

Dawn on July 5th, 2010

Glad to hear that she had the sex talk with her oldest kids. I don’t think a lot of devout Christians like her do have that talk with their kids. I know from her Twitter that she is a big supporter of abstinence but I hope she did tell her kids about birth control and what is available out there.

Shauna on July 5th, 2010

I think that the reason to get a cell phone for emergencies is often way too used, and actually given as an excuse. I mean, how many of the 1,000 texts a month a teenager uses are because of a necessary use. Teenagers get to use this excuse to get a cell phone and usually do things that they shouldn’t be doing. So, I completely agree with Candace, and that we did just fine not having one (and no, that isn’t an old fogies talking and won’t get with ‘the times’ its fact) same as true with all the other ‘needs’ today.

brannon on July 5th, 2010

Seatbelts weren’t around when some of us were young either but now that they are here, I certainly want my children to use them. As a teacher, I agree that kids are exposed to way too much way too early…however, technology is here and not going anywhere and I must say that the children who have access to phones, iPods, blogging, laptops, etc. are much more advanced than those who don’t…For this reason, I personally believe it is better to teach proper use of such devices and monitor what is happening rather than restricting all together. I teach fifth grade writing and all of my assignments are submitted digitally. My students podcast, create websites, make iMovies, etc. and are learning to be globally competitive. As a parent, will my son sit and text during dinner or all night…of course not. The phone will be monitored and “turned in” each night before bed and given back in the morning, etc. but to shield kids from reality can cause more harm than good. Just my two cents

ScarlettsMom on July 5th, 2010

I don’t understand why kids need a cellphone even for emergency purposes. I would not let an 11 year old go around without adult supervision anyway. She seems like a good mom.

Brooklyn on July 5th, 2010

She seems like a great mom. I’m 18 and I only got a cell phone when I was 16 and I was allowed to get a Facebook until I was 14. I think 11 is a bit young for a cell phone and a Facebook. I’d put it at 15 for a cell phone, and 14 for a facebook. That’s just me though!

Anna on July 5th, 2010

The emergency thing is just because parents have become so scared nowadays. I wish we would all stop to think and give our children some more freedom. They don’t need phones but they do need to be able to go outside without a parent hovering.

Luna on July 5th, 2010

My niece is twelve years old. She has a cell phone, and has had one since she was eleven. I asked her about it once and she said, “I know I have a phone that can text and take pictures, but its not for that. It’s so when I have to stay after school, I can call Mom or Dad. It’s so when I’m at soccer practice and it starts to thunder and practice ends early, I can call Mom or Dad. It’s for if something bad happens, I can call Mom or Dad. I text sometimes and I have some pictures, but if it didn’t I’d be fine.” I think that is the response of a child who has limits, but isn’t completely and totally sheltered. Also, my son is nine and has asked some questions about sex. We’ve told him the basics, because we want him to know sex isn’t something that should be ignored as if it doesn’t exist. We want him to come to us if he has questions. As for facebook, I don’t feel that my son needs one. My niece doesn’t have one and as she so eloquently put it, “Facebook just causes drama. Like my best friend’s boyfriend broke up with her on facebook and she thought they were in love. Like they’d been going out for almost a month.” Lol I really applaud Candace for her FANTASTIC approach on parenting.

Filomena on July 5th, 2010

Cracks me up how we rationalize needing this technology stuff. I love how she is protective of her kids and has set up a plan as to how she wants to raise her kids and she’s sticking to it. What’s wrong with that? I live in an area where the kids are all spoiled and undisciplined. Kudos to a mom with means who cares about her kids turning out well. BTW aren’t we in an economic mess right now? Aren’t cell phone bills a bill pple are choosing to have? Uh duh. I also don’t understand this. If kids are in school all day,why do they need a cell phone? For the after school activities? I used to call my mom from the main office to tell her when to pick me up. It worked for me for 4 years. All of this nonsense is just giving into peer pressure and wanting our kids to have the latest toy.

Courtney on July 5th, 2010

Anna…As a parent of a child with a cell phone, its not like she takes it to the back yard to be next to her when she plays. BUT I was REALLY happy when she had it when her bus was in an accident 3 weeks ago. So I guess some call it hovering, and some call it knowing what is going on with your child.

Tee on July 6th, 2010

I’m sorry, I don’t remember who made the comment about “the inmates taking over the asylum” but BEST COMMENT EVER! I live in constant amazement at how intitled the majority of the children in this country are. A lot of you have brought up a good point about the need for a cell in case of an emergency and that I understand. I don’t think kids should be allowed to go cell phone crazy though… just get a pre-paided cell and monitor the minutes.

Candace, thank you for setting such a good example for the public. You seem to be very down to earth and a good solid Christin Momma. I always enjoy reading articles about you!

Bancie1031 on July 6th, 2010

robinepowell – “Computers are good for when you need to look stuff up (Google or Wikpedia) but other then that, why do teens needs to use the computer?” As I stated before my daughter is about to be 10 at the end of September so she isn’t a teenager but at her school they actually give homework assignments online that’s also graded online (not to mention practice tests, including for the CRCT’s that they grade online as well as projects that have to be done online). So if my 3rd grader (well she will be in 4th in about 4 weeks when school starts back) needs a computer for this I’m sure that teenagers do as well ……

Dietz on July 6th, 2010

Now I agree that it is pointless having a phone if you are under the age of secondary school (age 11 in uk) but most children over here don’t go to school on their front door step! I went to school with other children in different cars and the school is 8 miles away. So I was given a mobile phone for my 11th birthday Which was my uncles old phone so was very old for the time, but I didn’t care. I’m 19 now and have ever only occasionally gone over the limit but thats because I never had a lot of money on the phone, or my contract wasn’t a high tarrif. So I would disagree and say that having a phone at 11 for me was crrtianly the best thing. and with fb I got one when I was 14 and it’s got me keeping in touch with family over seas and doesn’t cost a penny, so maybe if ur relatives live far away it’s a blessing! And if u want to moniter what your childs getting up to, befriend them on fb and you will see everything!

Stephanie Tastad on July 6th, 2010

If your child is always with a adult, why would he/she need a cell phone? We’re waiting until the kids are 16!

Tessa on July 6th, 2010

Right on Candace! We need more parents in this world with your parenting style!!!! Candace keep up your awesome strength!!! Kids today need less electronics & gadgets! We are so caught up in the latest fads & gadgets, its sad! What happened to being all caught up in our family & friends? & caring more about connecting…really connecting w/ them? We need more support in living that ‘traditional’ family life! Where gadgets are at a more appropriate priority level in our lives!
Please don’t hear me incorrectly! I have one of those fancy smart phones. (I’m not saying we shouldn’t have any gadgets.) But cells like TV & other gadgets ‘n games need to be in the right priority compared to face to face family/friends time. As a whole we need more wholesome family time!

D on July 6th, 2010

I have 5 kids, and the only one of my kids that has a cell phone is my 18 year old daughter. She purchased the phone a few years back and we helped with half, but she pays for the minutes. Too many kids have cell phones that don’t need them. The parents pay for them, not the kids. This teaches no responsibility. When I was a kid, cell phones didn’t even exist, I had to use a pay phone. What if cell phones still didn’t exist, where would the kids be now? Using pay phones like the rest of the world. Kuddos Cameron for standing your ground!

Jamie on July 6th, 2010

FINALLY a parent who is more worried about being a parent then their childs friend. I think Candace is an amazing mother. Her daughter doesn’t need cell phone. In fact, none of us need a cell phone. It is a luxury that isn’t necessary at all. My 10 year old son asks almost everyday for a cell phone. We continually tell him no. I didn’t have a cell phone until I went to college and I made it through high school just fine. I am a youth leader at our church and my husband is the youth minister. Kids’ today are so worried about how they can keep in touch with the outside world. I just don’t get it. When we go on a lot of our youth outings, they aren’t even allowed to take their phones. Yes, they get upset at first, but you know what?? they get by just fine. I applaud Candace and her husband for stepping up to the plate to be “different.”

Lindsey on July 6th, 2010

I 100% respect Candace’s decision to be the one to decide how to impart the morals and values that she feels are important on to her children instead of allowing society to impart its cultural values. I do not believe that children are so much better off today because they have been exposed to an oversaturation of consumerism and sex through media. Yay for a parent who is willing to buck the trend and actually parent her children.

Nicolle on July 6th, 2010

I like Candance, and it seems like how she is raising her kids is working for her, but I don’t think I’d chose to be like that. She just seems a little too over protective to me, not that is a bad thing but I am a teenager and I think that if I had been raised like that I’d try to pull away as much as possible. My parents aren’t strict or anywhere near as protective as she is but they also don’t let me do whatever I want. I think its better to find a good balance between setting down rules and expectations but not completely micro managing your kids life. That’s just my opinion though…

Nicole on July 6th, 2010

JMO wrote “FB was created mostly for people to get back in touch with people they haven’t seen or heard from.”

Just wanted to add that Facebook originally started for Harvard students to connect with each other. It expanded to other nearby colleges, and finally to anyone in college. Although I love that Facebook has helped me to reconnect with people I’ve lost touch with, that’s far from what Facebook was created for. It was created to connect college students with other students on their campus (you could only see those students who went to the same school as you).

That said, I applaud Candace for being a parent rather than trying to be a friend to her children. I teach elementary school and it’s amazing to me how some of these students rule their house. I was even having a parent/teacher meeting on time and a 3 year old was “ready to go” so he tugged on his mother’s arm until she just said we’d have to finish talking later. I was in shock. You should see the 5th graders…they’re getting more and more like high schoolers each year, and it’s VERY scary.

Anna on July 6th, 2010

I think this is so refreshing that a parent limits their children’s activities when it comes to technology. Parents need to spend more time with their children not putting them in front of a computer or a cell phone. I recently did a report on the dangers of computers, cell phones, TV’s etc on children esp teens and it is frighting on the horrible statistics that these media forms cultivate. We need to unplug our kids and teach them the important things in life. Thank you for focusing on such a wonderful caring mother. Let’s all take a lesson from her.

Elisabeth on July 7th, 2010

GOOD for her. Children do not need cell phones! She’s 11! What the heck should this child be doing where she’d need to get in touch with an adult?

(That’s why there are PARENTS, not to mention, if something was really serious, all her friends have cell phones.)

Children are trying to grow up way too fast these days. I agree with all the other people who said we were able to go all these years without Facebook, iPhones, iPods, Cell phones and whatnot. Let’s teach our children that they don’t need to be entertained every single minute of the day!

Good for Candace. She seems to be a great Mom.

sasymuzik on July 7th, 2010

I plan on getting a cell phone for my child as soon as they are capable of using one. If that means they know how to use a cell phone at age three, then so be it. I’m not over-protective. I refuse to “hide” things from my kids. I understand that there can be harm in internet usuage, but that is where a serious discussion and lessons are taught to the kids. I choose to teach them to beware of the dangers – not to hide them from it forever. My job as a parent is to oversee what my child is doing. Eventually, my daughter will grow up & do things her own way. At least now, I can prepare her for certain dangers & not hide them from her.
It’s a new age out there, & I feel that an educated kiddo is a prepared kiddo….so go check your FB account & then call your mom!

saint on July 7th, 2010

We have a third cell phone that we call the “family phone.” If I’m dropping one of my kids at practice, it goes in the sports bag. Otherwise, it stays in the cabinet. It never goes to school.

Bancie1031 on July 7th, 2010

D – I understand using pay phone but seriously we don’t have payphones here at ALL! We haven’t in a couple of years ….. I think we should still have plenty of pay phones ….. maybe not on every corner like we use to but still some would be nice.

All my friends tell me I’m an overly-protected parent myself – sorry I believe Children should have rules and shouldn’t be allowed to do whatever they want – But I think Candace is more strick than me (don’t get me wrong not a bad thing) …..

Trishp on July 7th, 2010

I think she is doing the right thing. My son did not get a cell phone until after 8th grade even though everyone else had one. He is now 17 years old and just graduated from high school and I still will not let him have text on his phone. He doesn’t need the distraction while driving. I told him when he is 18yrs old which will be in a few months that if he wants texting he will have to pay for it himself. Luckily my son is very frugal with his money and he stated it’s not worth the extra money to have texting. I believe if you cave in just because everyone else has it doesn’t teach the child the way real life is. They need to learn that you can’t always have what everyone else has. Also, my son’s pays for half of his phone a month and has since he got it and I have a very responsible son who pays his own car insurance and pays for his own gas just like I had to when I was young. The problem today is that parents give their kids everything and the kids don’t have to work for anything. When kids work for what they have, they appreciate it more. So I hope she keeps up with her convictions.

Anonymous on July 8th, 2010

@Bertie – The CHILD is 11 and should never be left alone in a position where she should need a cellphone. I think it is probably even illegal to leave a child at home alone at that age. We let our daughters get one as an 8th grade graduation present (when they are 13 or 14) because they will need it in High School, due to sports or other after-school activities where they can call us when they need to get picked up.

Melanie on July 8th, 2010

As a 5th grade teacher, I can definitely tell you that cell phones cause more problems than they solve. Most children and pre-teens are not responsible enough to use them appropriately. How many of you discretely check your child’s text, email and voice messages? Many of you would be shocked it you did. Most children don’t have good judgment and will give the telephone number to anyone they think is their “friend”. Some of their “friends” include children/adults their parents wouldn’t approve.

Honestly parents, where is your child going that doesn’t have landline phones? Like an earlier post said, the phone is a status symbol.

I’ve caught too many children using cell phones to send inappropriate messages and photos. In addition, they use cell phones to listen to vulgar music.

If you really want to help your child, encourage them to turn off the electronics and develop their social skills. As a nation, we are raising children who have difficulty communicating face to face with their peers and adults. Students can’t learn to negotiate and develop conflict resolution skills from electronic devices. Technological knowledge may help our children get a job but poor interpersonal skills will ensure they lose jobs or fail to get ahead.

Anna on July 8th, 2010

To those who are saying, “If you’re strict the kids will rebel,” – So what. So what if they do rebel. Children do that, they throw fits when they don’t get their way, they claim life is unfair if their parents make them follow rules, sometimes they rebel. I don’t think that’s a reason to let kids do whatever they want.

Susan Lewis on July 8th, 2010

Right on Mom! way to go! My 17 yr old has none of the above as well, I don’t care what other kids have.

Amber on July 8th, 2010

@angelbaby, are you kidding me? The nurse is at school for a reason. Sounds way over dramatic, smashing her head after someone knocked her down. Really, kids do that all of the time. They get knocked down, fall and run into things. You are teaching your children to defy authority and lie by having her go around the teachers back. Kids say they are sick all of the time. 1st grade is way to young to have a cell phone. The teachers and school nurse are there for a reason. Let them make the decision. You are the parent not a friend. If I had that rule where my child is always home when they are ‘sick’ they would be home all of the time. Wow.

angelbaby33 on July 8th, 2010

Amber- they sent home a paper about head injuries and concussions AFTER school when I picked her up and the kid that knocked her down (on purpose, bully type boy who has at least 20 lbs on her!) was suspended for 3 days. So I am not overreacting. And I do find it ridiculous to have her laying in the nurse’s office for an hour and a half if she could have a concussion and not having anyone call me! The office will also not let the kids call home if they forget their lunch or jacket, etc. If those are the rules at school, fine. But I do not agree with them and if my daughter needs to call me, sick or not, forgotten lunch or not, than I want her to be able to!