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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if the school says no mobile phones to be teken on trip then everyone should respect that.

177 replies

kreecherlivesupstairs · 21/09/2009 18:38

DD went off for her first school trip, she'll be back on Thursday. She is/was thrilled about the whole thing since she found out about it three weeks ago. I dropped her off at 7.30 this morning, saw her onto the bus, had a quiet grizzle to myself then went for a cup of coffee with another mum. She asked me how much cash I'd given dd, I said none, she didn't need it, she then asked about whether I'd topped her phone up for her. It turns out, she's given her son 100 francs (about 60 quid) and sent his iphone along with him. I am sitting here seething with anger which I know is unreasonable, but ffs, the school made some rules that, imho are worth keeping.

OP posts:
NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 22:15

piscesmoon FABULOUS post

RubysReturn · 21/09/2009 22:17

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piscesmoon · 21/09/2009 22:19

I feel so sorry for children these days. They can't have the freedom that we used to have as children and now, because of modern technology, they can't even have it on the low risk, residential trip. It just never cropped up before the days of mobiles.
I think if I was Brown Owl I would seek out a place in Wales with no mobile signal and leave them free to carry phones.
Parents won't be happy until they can have the whole thing on web cam, with nightly Skype conversations!!

RubysReturn · 21/09/2009 22:22

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StewieGriffinsMom · 21/09/2009 22:22

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NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 22:24

so true all these posts

StewieGriffinsMom · 21/09/2009 22:24

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piscesmoon · 21/09/2009 22:24

That is just the sort of thing a Brown Owl says-a no nonsense approach is good for children. There are circumstances where she would call the parent to collect. I once had to call parents to collect a 10yr old girl on a weekend trip. She cried herself into such a state. I have to say that her parents were none to pleased with her -they had obviously planned a nice child free weekend!

Goblinchild · 21/09/2009 22:26

Some children are free range, some are barn chickens and some are battery hens. I know which group I want mine in, despite the fact that it might not be as safe.
A residential trip, run by adults in loco parentis should be one of the safest experiences of being away from parents that there is.

NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 22:27

i could however apply these articulate posts to my whole anti mobile phones for children argument
(aside from health one)

people forever throw the 'if it is raining and they need picking up' if they 'miss the bus' in my parenting guidebook these are things that need to be experienced by older children ....

StewieGriffinsMom · 21/09/2009 22:27

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TheFallenMadonna · 21/09/2009 22:29

A boy in my tutor group told me today that he'd much rather not bring his mobile phone to school as it was really expensive and he was worried he'd lose it, but his mum insisted but she'd also kill him if he lost it...

God I'm fed up with bloody mobile phones.

RubysReturn · 21/09/2009 22:30

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NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 22:31

rubysreturn its all about growing up

RubysReturn · 21/09/2009 22:33

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Eyeballls · 21/09/2009 22:34

You know, all these comments about previous generations blah blah is such a non argument... Mobile phones are a part of life today, as is the internet etc. It's no good saying previous generations managed. Of course they did but how far do you want to take it? Previous generations managed without penicillin or washing machines. I see no reason why children shouldn't be able to take phones if they have them. Of course £60 and an iPhone is crazy but I see no issue with a bog standard mobile.

I work with schools on trips and having seen some of the excuses for teachers that come in, I'd be loathe to rely on some of them to know what time it is.

piscesmoon · 21/09/2009 22:36

I love the Scouts because they let DCs do adventurous things. They have taken DS to A&E more than once (not their fault-he is accident prone)but I am thrilled that he has had the opportunity, and that they continued to take him! They let a group of them navigate their way and camp alone on Dartmoor, with adult supervision (at a distance). These experiences are so good for them. Giving them your trust and blessing is one of the best things that you can do as a parent IMO. Of course I have anxiety, but I keep it firmly to myself-I don't want to stifle them with my worries.

bruffin · 21/09/2009 22:36

Rubysreturn, my cousin died on a trip with the boys brigade long before mobile phones had even been thought of, so I have more reason than most to worry, butit has never stopped me sending my DCs on residential trips without a mobile. They have thrived on these trips without having contact with us.

NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 22:37

do you not think kids will stare at a mobile screen - take silly pictures - phone mates etc if they CAN?

they should learn to enjoy other stuff

that is what the trip is about

RubysReturn · 21/09/2009 22:37

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Goblinchild · 21/09/2009 22:38

So why should schools and teachers bother?
Let's do away with residentials altogether, and possibly school trips in their entirety.
It's a pain to organise, difficult to fund and takes me away from home for a week.
Bah Humbug

NotanOtter · 21/09/2009 22:38

how tragic bruffin i am sorry

Clary · 21/09/2009 22:39

pisces and seeker, great posts

My children don't have mobiles anyway so it's not an issue. How old is the OP's DD I wonder (not that it makes any difference really - even for bigger kids mobiles on a trip would be a bit of a mare).

RubysReturn · 21/09/2009 22:40

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KristinaM · 21/09/2009 22:40

my 9yo has just been on a weeks residential trip

they were allowed to take mobiles but they were looked after by the staff and and returned for about half an hour a day after the evening meal so the children could call home if they wished

i thought this was a good compromise. DD just made short calls as she was rushing off to do various evening activities. no phone calls at bedtime as apparently that makes them more homesick

if parents had particular concerns they could call the teacher in charge on her mobile at any time