For the week of May 25, 2009, Family on the Phone buzzes a very busy mom, LaTara Ham-Ying! In LaTara’s own words, she is a “woman of God, wife, entrepreneur, internet marketer, writer, speaker, and an authentically unplugged mom”. That is a mouthful but very true. LaTara’s website, Mom Unplugged, proves her devotion to her faith with every word she writes.
I caught up with her this week and asked her some questions about her family and their cell phones. I know you’ll enjoy her as much as I have.
What are your favorite features on your phone and why? For example, could it be your camera? If so how do you use it? Do you upload your pics to your computer or use it some other way?
I don’t have a fancy phone yet. I have a $10 special but I love being able to connect to the internet when I need to. However, I plan on upgrading to a better phone in the very near future. I am currently weighing my options and considering Cricket or Boost Mobile.
Do any of your children have cell phones? If so, what are there ages and why did you decide to purchase a cell phone for them? How do you handle that with them regarding limits, bill paying, privacy, monitoring their texts, calls etc?
My oldest son (17) has had one since he was 14. His grandmother got it for him for his birthday; and I agreed to it because I needed to stay in touch with him when he was out of the house. His grandmother has paid the bill for him but starting this summer, since he now has a job, he has to pay it himself. As far as monitoring, he still has a time that he needs to be off the phone when school is in session, I do not check his messages because I trust him and the friends he has chosen at this stage in his life.
How important is your cell phone in your everyday life? Are you an utterly dependent phone person or could you live without it?
My cell phone is important to me because I can keep in touch with my kids when we are not together. I can live without it because I have before but I have to say it is a very convenient tools for me.
What type of service do you have? Are you a prepaid gal or do you go with a contract and why?
I have Virgin Mobile right now. I pay $49 for 400 daytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. However, they have recently changed their plans and now the $49 will be unlimited but I think you still have to pay additional for texting (if that is the case I will definitely be moving my service). I don’t have a contract. I don’t like those because you get locked into something and down the road that can prove to be harmful to your credit if you lose a job or something like that. I have been down that road before and don’t want to travel it again.
I would like to thank LaTara for her participation in Buzz A Mom.
Written on May 28th, 2009 at 7:00 am by Amy
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