QP, I am shocked! I never thought you'd go... there.... to the "crotchety generation!" What is the world coming to?

I understand allowing kids to have cell phones for emergencies, but I personally think the usage has gotten ridiculous, especially among the teen set. I personally am against teens or kids having cells for anything other than an emergency. I don't even have one of those newfangled contraptions that's hip with the youngsters...

Oh my! Now I think I've joined QP in the crotchety generation!! Someone, please.... help!

Well I did break down and get my 8 year old a cell phone. He told me that he wasn't always allowed to use the phone at the Boys and Girls Club when he wanted to call me and that is unacceptable to me. My solution was to get him the Migo phone. It has 4 numbers on it (1, 2, 3, 4) which *I* preprogram and one button for 911. He can ONLY call those numbers that *I* program into the phone, which are my cell, our house, his dad's cell and his grandma (and of course the 911 button). He can *receive* calls from anyone, but he can only call out to those numbers...which prevents calls to Zimbabwe or other kids asking to borrow his phone.

When I got it for him I did send a letter to his teacher to let her know that he would have it...AND that it IS a real phone (doesn't look like one~lol). He knows it is to remain shut off and in his backpack during school and that he is only allowed to take it out when he's at the Boys and Girls Club and wants to call me, his dad or his grandma. Now that it's summer I have to remind him to bring it with him, but it was a perfect solution for us...he can call if he's away from me and I don't have to worry about him "lending" it to anyone or making tons of calls.

As for the "repellent" ringtone...I'm scared to find out if I can hear it or not...I don't want to KNOW if I'm with the crotchety generation!!! It seems silly to me but I suppose it's the new "thing". <shrug> LOL

Edit...I just listened to it and I have to say...OMG that is awful!! I'm kind of glad I can hear it, but on the other hand I wish I hadn't!

Well surprising news in my family. Not surprised that I couldn't hear it, feeling old yes, but not surprised. My oldest son, 12 years old could not hear a thing but my 8 year old could hear it. My 8 year old has tubes in his ears for hearing loss due to fluid build up so I guess the tubes are doing its job. However my 12 year old can loiter at these stores all he wants LOL.

~Audrey

I just now listened to the sound. I can only hear it if I turn the volume up as high as it will go, and even then I can barely hear it. BUT, I swear it made my ears hurt...is that possible?

ROFL. I could barely hear it the same as Loopy, then my son comes running up to me and says TURN THAT DOWN IT'S TOOOO LOUD! LOL.

I could barely hear it too. Too funny. I will play it when I want the kids to leave the room maybe LOL.

"What was that missy? Turn up the volume you said? Speak up, I can't hear you when you whisper like that"

(I too tried the volume up. I am half convinced my computer speakers can't generate the tones, that could be a possibility, right? Sigh, get over it QP, you are just crotchety!)

Well, I am very glad to say that I am not supposed to be able to hear this, I did... I guess my ears are still young and healthy! Woo hoo! http://www.freemosquitoringtone.com/ you can download it there if you want.

I just tried it out and it hurt my ears too, was piercing but I don't know I'd notice it over classroom noise.

OOOOOOH Ok I am a dork. I didn't hear the one off the NPR report (neither did the two pre-teens at my house). So today I tried the mp3 and yes I can hear that. It's high pitched and squealing and makes my ears feel like they might be so irritated they wouldn't be able to hear anything else.

It's very similar to the noise my stereo amplifier and TV make, but I can barely notice. I love it when those get turned off for the night and the real silence begins.

The kids claimed it wasn't annoying. But I guess that was just the ringtone. I agree with Granny Pickles, I don't see how anyone would hear it over the hubbub of a classroom.

Hey, maybe I am not crotchety anymore! Phew!

Phew, QP's losing her crotchetiness! YAY!!

I too heard it.... But what "amazes" me is how kids can hear this, but certain "word patterns", they cannot hear... like "could you please take out the trash," or "could you help me set the table," or "HOLD IT!"... Or simply screaming their name until ya feel like your throat will bleed. BUT, again, amazingly enough, if you're on the phone or having coffee with a parent/granparent...who ever... and mention their name.... They are RIGHT THERE and asking, "Whadja say about me?" OR if they hear you say ANYTHING resembling the word "PIZZA" They are THERE asking, "HUH? Did you order pizza?" Hmmmm........ Off the topic I know, but thought "selective hearing disorder" could be brought up here. : )

I find they actually listen to me if I speak softly (as if I am not talking to them, heehee) Honest! It finally hit me yesterday as I was chastizing them for not doing something I had asked them to do. They said they hadn't heard me (though they had said "yes ma'am" after I said it - we already have a rule that if they "yes ma'am" me they are acknowleging that they heard me and they are can not come back later and say they didn't! Sheesh!

Anyway, saying something under my breath as if I don't really want them to hear is the best way to get them to listen! heehee

LOL!! Yeah, but if you say something under your breath, you run the risk of the "I didn't hear you" being legitimate!

I find my kids say "Huh?" or "What?", when they really have heard what you said, but are just thinking of a way AROUND what you've asked them to do.

No, no no!! They say "Mmmmm Hmmm" or "Yes Ma'am" no matter what! Were you not listening to me either??

All day today I have been making them repeat back to me every word I say. It's funny!

Me: "Good morning Honey!"

Kid: "morning mom"

Me: "What did I just say?"

They're sick of it now, but I'm having a blast and things are getting done. Win-win!!

You're just making them wish school would start soon!!

ROFL!! Funny, Queen Thud! However, notice we have a different reaction when THEY mutter under their breath?

That ringtone's a good idea... I'll have to get it when i get a phone
The noise doesnt annoy me