Suitable punishment or not?

[KatyMac]

DD is 13 (nearly 14) & travelling 60 miles on her own by train

Last week was the first time & she was non-contactable for the whole 8 hours she was gone (phone battery died, no credit etc)

We explained that this week she must text at appropriate times (eg on train, on arrival etc). Ensured credit was on her phone & checked it was charged.

She hasn't; so next week one of us will travel with her as she obviously doesn't want to do this by herself (IMO).

That seems fair to me but is it OTT?

Ok. So she doesn't go this week. Even if your phone dies you can always borrow someone else's for a quick text.

That's the way I feel

Second chance is fair enough; but third? I don't think so

What does she say about it ?

She is indignant that I am punishing her for having a broken phone

But I'm not sure tbh

Contrary to popular belief, pay phones do still exist and aren't that impossible to find. For that matter, she could have paid a friend 10p to send you a text explaining the situation. You both need back up plans to do away with her excuses deal with potentially "broken" phones.

Did she say why she didn't borrow a phonenor find a pay phone or ask whatever adult was in charge to get in touch with you for her?

you are good aren't you Seeker

She was on the train (on the way home) before she realised it was broken

We have agreed
a) she is borrowing my mums phone so there is no mix up with 'broken phones'
b) She knows when exactly to text
c) I have arranged for another mum to 'watch' her

I feel very unsure about it all

I' m hard, me! You're obviously much mere forgiving than me-good luck for Saturday!

Make her take her won phone as well, losing or breaking two would be a coincidence too far!

Does she know your mobile number without having to look it up? Regardless of broken phones and if she can borrow one with the number already in it, it's a really useful thing for her to learn. You can always talk someone into letting you send a text/make a 20 second call (especially if you are a young girl - I'm sure everyone on here would lend their phone in this situation).

It might also be worth just speaking to a few of her friend's mums and then agreeing that all of them have their friends' parents' numbers. My mum has always made sure she has numbers of a few of my friends (on the basis that if I am not with them they will at least have the number of the people I am with) and they have hers. That way you can text a friend, or the friend can text you. No excuses, and some extra reassurance for you.

Probably not mine; but def DHs & the house phone (& nana & pops as well)

Mine is new; but telling anyone of us would have done

2 phones; good idea

Write down your number and give her £1, then if her phone dies, she can give someone the money to use their phone to send you a text?

I didn't go with her

I told her how upset I was

She has texted this week