We need modern payphones
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Anonymous
This is the “shaking fist at clouds” type of thinking that I’m referencing for what it’s worth. Angry about society not being the same as it was 30 years ago. Refusing to adapt as necessary to the changes. |
Anonymous
I think that now that OP has learned that the coaches aren't reliable for reaching out when something goes wrong, then she has a few options. She can hang around, at least on the days when it seems like the pool closing from thunder is a possibility (e.g. any day it's raining). She can teach her kids her phone number, or put it on a temporary tattoo, and teach them to ask one of the many older kids, coaches and other parents that will be hanging around at pick up, but she's says she's not comfortable with her kids texting. She can get the kids a watch or a flip phone or something. She can coordinate with other parents to let each other know. But she has to do something. As a parent, the buck stops with you. Even if the person you left your kid with was the one who did the wrong thing, it's still, in the end, your responsibility to either choose a different situation, or do something that makes the situation safe for your kids. 7 year olds waiting outdoors in a thunderstorm with no adults isn't safe. So, OP needs to plan differently. |
Anonymous
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IME you can rely on coaches to take responsibility for kids under a certain age, and there will be rules & procedures in place. On the other end, past a certain age, it is assumed that kids have a way to contact parents and will manage on their own.
It is the “gray area” in-between ages that can be a problem. Some kids will have phones or a way to contact parents, others won’t. Some kids will be allowed to walk home or to a place nearby, others won’t, etc etc. There really is not going to be a “norm”. So- you have to figure out how you want to deal with that. You pretty much need to plan on either remaining onsite for the duration, or giving your kid a method of contacting you. |
Anonymous
| This is why my 11 year old will be getting a stripped down cell phone when he starts middle school. If pay phones were available, he’d be waiting for high school at least! |
Anonymous
+1. |
Anonymous
| Is this coach getting paid? if so, he is paid for the time to be there. He should have stuck around till all the parents came back, especially if eh is going to ban you from practice. |
Anonymous
Yes I know exactly what you meant because it is not an original thought. Every time an older person corrects someone on the past, or criticizes anything modern they are dismissed by that cliche without further discussion. It’s a tired old trope. New things can be either good or bad. Considering the wisdom of those with personal experience is never a bad thing. |
Anonymous
But your wisdom is “there should be pay phones like when I was a kid”. Ok, well, there aren’t. You are not going to change that fact. |
Anonymous
We would all be better off without cell phones but people like you refuse to listen. Don’t blame me for making a good suggestion when you are the one who is resistant to the concept. |
Anonymous
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Payphones haven't been around for at least 15+ years, so we aren't the first generation of parents to deal with the lack of payphones. But I don't quite understand the reluctance to get kids watches if they are too young for a phone. Gizmo and even Apple Watches can be pretty basic and can do exactly what payphones used to do--call home. If your kid is old enough to be at practice by themselves and you're leaving the premises, why not get them a watch to contact you? There really isn't anything to do on these watches other can call or text, and you can set up/approve the Contacts to really limit their ability to contact others (or others to contact them).
If I were OP, I'd do the following: 1. Talk to the club/coach about the kids being left alone once practice was canceled. That's a huge problem, especially if the kids are under 12 or so. The coach/staff should make sure each kid is able to contact a ride and should wait there until all kids are picked up. 2. Get your kid a Gizmo or smart watch so that they can call or text you. Apple Watches can be worn in the water. 3. Teach your kid your phone number! And teach him or her to ask to use someone else's phone to call or text you! Sounds like some kids had a phone but others didn't. Between the older kids and the coach/other adults, your kid should have asked asked someone to use the phone before everyone else left. |
Anonymous
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a modern pay phone is...a cell phone
FFS take care of your own kid. Nine is too young to leave the premises. Stay close by or find another activity. |
Anonymous
Your “good suggestion” is to go back in time 30 years. Look, I am on your side about cellphones being too prevalent. I wish we all had flip phones and technology didn’t advance to these high speed computers in our pockets at all times. But it did advance, and here we are. You don’t seem to actually want solutions you just want to say stubbornly that there should be pay phones banks everywhere so that you don’t have to buy your kid a 99 dollar Gabb watch to send pre set messages to your or their dads phone such as “pick me up”. |
Anonymous
If people have told you that cliche before, then you are the problem. No one has ever said it to me! |
Anonymous
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Teach them your number. It is the responsibility of the adult they are with to contact you. The coach should have done so and you can complain to him.
At age 9 my son got a gizmo, which is used for this exact purpose. |
Anonymous
Completely disagree that 9 is too young to leave the premise. No one hangs around to watch 4th graders practice soccer for example. I stopped going to my kid's practices in 2nd grade. The adult they are with is responsible for contacting parents if plans change. |