I admit that at times I am not the most consiencious with my texting. I have been the boy in the video below, but I try to spend as much time away from my electronic leash as possible.
Growning up, I never would have considered texting through a night of mutual. Then again, I didn't have a cell phone until I was 18, in college and paying for it myself.
Does anyone have any ideas to encourage the girls not to text during lessons/activities? Everything I find says to take the phones away. I'm tring to think of a way to encourage them to put them away themselves without us being their mothers and taking away their toys. ...
13 comments:
There was one thing that I read where the leaders used the cell phones to their advantage. They would have a list of the numbers and text reminders about activities and stuff like that, and then for mutual and Sunday they would ask the girls to turn off/silence the phones. They said that seemed to work because there was a good trade off.
I like that idea, however I believe 3 of our girls don't have cell phones...it's a start though.
You could have a whole lesson dedicated to "priorities" and or "reverence"... That's a tough one...I even see adults doing it at church meetings so I sympathize with your position.
I also wanted to say that you could ask them to excuse themselves to the hallway if they "need to have conversations" that do not pertain to the lesson. I've done that before texting was around and it was just too much talking in class. And the girls never did it again. (It was a different ward.)
I have an idea for you. You could set up hidden cameras in the room. You can get them for relatively cheap at Wal-Mart or Target, even a baby video monitor would work. And have the bishop be watching the cameras from another room. And every time someone starts using the phone, in any way, have the bishop come in and take the phone away. And have him tell them that it is rude, disrespectful, and wrong to participate in those type of activities in the Lord's house. They would get such a guilt trip, they wouldn't do it again. Also, I would tell the bishop not to return the phones until he called the offender's parents, and explained their rude behavior.
Dean says I am mean, but I would certainly do it. Because if they are texting at church, the same behavior at school, and work, where applicable.
Thanks for the idea. While texting/being on the phone in any group setting (church, seminary, institute, school, with friends etc) is rude, I think guilt may not be the best for our girls at this time. It's not a huge issue (yet)...maybe talking to them one-on one will help.
I just think it would be funny. I'm evil.
My mom is the YW Pres in our ward and she once CALLED the girl that was texting (she didn't put the phone to her ear or anything, just pushed the #, let it ring and hung up). The girl jumped and put her phone away not taking it out again.
Hi Julianna, this is Lauren Green's mom....
I have witnessed MANY youth over the years using their phones during meetings and activities. After asking.... AND asking as adult leaders to the general youth population in our ward, I just decided to set the record straight with a friendly talk in YW about how it makes me/people feel when they are texting, etc and then EVERYTIME a phone was out I'd say with a smile, "You're not really going to do that are you?" or something along those lines. Always said with a smile. I have also stopped the lesson, even mid sentence and waited. I am consistent, which I think is key. One time I resorted to telling a YW that I would have to hold her phone if she couldn't restrain herself for the duration of mutual. She thought I was kidding, but I held out my hand ready to take her phone and she promised to keep it in her purse, which she did that evening and beyond. In fact she would even point out after class that her phone was put away the WHOLE TIME. I gave her BIG kudos and it became a fun positive situation. :) If the youth know you love them, they will typically not want to disappoint you. The change happened over a short period of time. I think that they had to know that I really meant what I said, so it did take a few friendly reminders. GOOD LUCK! ;)
PS- I have heard of teachers who have a designated "phone basket" or "box" where phones are placed as they enter the Seminary room or YW room. That would be good too. I just haven't had to go there as of yet. :)
I do love the youth! They keep us on our toes!
I like the phone basket idea!! That might work. You need to get tough with the girls, I would embarass them and ask them to read aloud what was so important for them to write while you were teaching a lesson. My leaders did this when we were talking to other girls and it got us to quit talking QUICK! Let me know if you need help embarassing them! I am up for the challenge! Then I can be the mean lady that comes into YW and ruins all the fun.... haha
LOL! Nichole! Melissa just volunteered to be in YW!
Thanks everyone for the ideas. I talked to bishop about it in our PPI on Sunday and found out that the boys have the same problem too. The basket might be just what we need.
I MEANT that I could walk in from time to time to be the MEAN phone stealing lady.... not that I want to actually have to be there! :) You are SO silly!
Nope, you put it out there Melissa. We still need a secretary! :)
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