Ongoing Talks

Michael wants a cell phone. I figured he'd like having one, but he didn't bring it up until last night.

No sooner does the kid get back than he wants to go out again, this time to spend the night with his friends. Excuse me? Um, you were sick? You are sick? I don't think so?

Anyway, it all boiled down into a discussion (a polite and courteous one, in fact, which was very pleasant!) about appropriate behavior when spending the night with a friend. The last time he did that, he and the friend actually went over to yet another friend's house and Michael didn't come back home until late Saturday night. He was gone over 24 hours, and we had no idea where he was for most of that time.

He had some very unhappy parental units.

So. He is not to leave and go somewhere else without calling and letting us know where he is. He is to come home by a predetermined time (what that time will be is still being negotiated). I think, once he's home he should stay home for a while. He wants to do a flying check-in and take off again immediately, so that's still under negotiation, too.

Cell phones fit into all this because he hopefully suggested that a cell phone would allow us to find him no matter where he is. And he's right. I'm just not so sure that it's a good idea, though, apart from the expense. He's doing so much better than he was even just a few months ago, but that doesn't mean he's someone I trust yet. And I can think of so many ways he can really expand his opportunities to get in trouble with a cell phone.

So the answer is, "No," for right now. As if that means anything! I think we are about to be the subjects of a campaign. Which will give us plenty of time to think carefully about this, right? Right? I mean, we're not going to give in because of exhaustion. Are we?

Nooo. Never that!