On Saturday, it was discovered that Daughter #2 had misplaced her cellphone again. Not only was it missing, but it had been missing for a week.
This has happened once before and it was explained to her that should the cellphone be unaccounted for, it was of upmost importance to let us know. She sat on the information for a full week (who knows how long we would have been uninformed – I discovered it was missing, she did not tell me). During this week of silence, she made feeble attempts to find it.
How do I know they were feeble?
After I hit the roof and she started scrambling, the phone was found in 30 minutes.
Naturally there had to be a punishment. Simply taking away the phone would not suffice. During her searching she announced that the phone was more trouble than it was worth and she didn’t even want it anymore. If she isn’t going to feel the punishment, what’s the point? I am not going to waste my time and hers by beating her with a feather!
In addition to taking away the phone, I also took away her evening plans. She was forced to spend time at home. A portion of her confinement was spent organizing her room. (not enough for my taste, but she says her new system will work) And this is a picture of what she did for the rest of the night.
It was not knitting-as-punishment, but more I’m-so-damned-bored-staying-at-home-with-my-mean-parents type of knitting. She started off a bit reluctantly, but soon discovered that she is good at it! She has mastered both the knit and the purl stitch. Her gauge needs some work, but its evenness is impressive for a first attempt. She is contemplating her first project.
I caught a live one!! go team!
purlingswine 
All 3 of my girls have had needles in hand, but it’s the eldest (so far) who seems to have sustained interest. It’s only scarves, but she’s experimenting with pattern. And she can cast an appreciative eye my way (I reciprocate, of course)! The joy of sittin’ and knittin’ with her is indescribable.
Good Mom! Would have done the same. Mine loses her MAC/Visa card and I have total fits! My teenager showed ME how to knit!
I’m not a big fan of cellphones, and less of a fan of teens with cellphones. But I do like them to have one in the car with them as soon as they are driving on their own. My older son hates his phone, but does take it when he is going any great distance and out late. He actually did lose it once when mapquest’s directions to a friend’s house turned out to be useless.
I keep his phone on a pay as you go plan.
My younger one will probably need one soon, as he tends to get out more. However, for now, I just toss him mine if I’m at home when he’s out.
I don’t think either of them will ever pick up knitting needles though.
Hi- I am a usual lurker, but just wanted to express solidairty as a another consequence-inflicting mother of teenagers who think that a cell phone is an expendable, replaceable item. “We” have had cell phones left on planes during class trips, have dropped them in creeks, lost them under dirty laundry and lent them to friends. “We” have also had mucho privileges denied, but unfortunately because of the safety/ call home issue I haven’t just discontinued them altogether, altho by now the girls do realize they are as much a burden as a benefit. The more flagrant violater of the cell phone privileges is also the better knitter- go figure!
Way to go, Ann! Punishment with panache. You got a semi-cleaned up room AND a knitter out of it. Good deal.