Thursday, April 9, 2009

This Dad is my new hero...

Why you may ask? Here's why....The story is from the Denver Post. You go dad!

CHEYENNE — In one month, a Cheyenne teenager sent 10,000 text messages and received about the same — all while her family's plan did not include texting.

That means the family's provider — Verizon — charged them for each incoming and outgoing text message.

The girl's parents, Gregg and Jaylene Christoffersen, thought texting had been disabled, so one can imagine their surprise when they got the monthly phone bill and it asked for $4,756.25.

"It just hit us like a rock, like you're stepping into a bus," Gregg Christoffersen said.

The bill was legit.

Dena Christoffersen, 13, had apparently been sending most of these messages at school. That's more than 300 texts within an eight-hour period every day for a whole month.


Needless to say, it drew attention away from what she should have been doing: paying attention in class.

"She went from A's and B's one semester to F's in two months," Dena's dad said.

Hours after the enormous bill arrived, Gregg Christoffersen took a hammer to his daughter's phone.

He and Jaylene also grounded Dena until the end of school.

"I felt really bad, and I have learned my lesson," Dena said, with her head down.

Since she lost her phone, Dena's grades have gone up, and the texting is down to zero.

As for the phone bill, the family says Verizon has been willing to knock it down to a reasonable level.

The Christoffersens are asking school administrators at Johnson Junior High School to crack down on cellphone use during school.

See the smashed cell phone at 9News.com.

21 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Wow! I guess you have some great advice to give Kate!

Erin said...

That is just amazing!

Just SO said...

I totally thought of Kate when I saw this!

Becca said...

I think the world could use a few more dad's like that!

Rachel Sue said...

I found you on MMB.
And yes, the world needs more dad's like this one. . .

mCat said...

Go Dad! The world needs more of parents like him. Instead of the bunch of coddlers that exist today..

AW Cake! said...

My brother in law is a high school teacher and he wont allow them in his class - he assigns extra work if he sees them at all...I like that.

Anonymous said...

Nice. 'Bout time somebody stood up to their own kid!

Honey and Hotstuff said...

This Dad is Awesome!! my question is why does a 13 year old have cell phone?????

Honey and Hotstuff said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christa said...

My oldest son has been asking for a cell phone since he was in preschool. I don't know when or why they became so absolutely necessary for our survival. I think that I am the very last person in America who does not have one. There are times when I wish I did, but most of the time I really enjoy being unreachable.

Missy said...

Imagine the arthritis she will have in those texting thumbs!

Bonnie the Boss said...

I personall don't think they need a cell phone until they can drive! WTG Dad! Sometimes you just have to lay down the law!

Anonymous said...

and he only smashed it? I would have made her get a job. I'd have let Verizon keep the charge until she paid it off! holy crap!

Jessica G. said...

Dude...he smashed the phone? Awesome!

If that were my kid, I'd make her pay the bill, even if it meant having to sell her organs on the black market.

wendy said...

There are sooooo many reasons I am glad I am not raising kids during this time ---they are all grown now. (thank goodness) I probably would be a nazi mom about the cell phone. DO KIdS REALLY NEED THEM. Even my best friend has her cell phone up to her ear all the time like is is a new appendage. What's up with that.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry, but on what planet does this guy live if he doesn't know the difference between texting packages and texting capabilities? Technology in our kids' hands is powerful stuff, parents, and it requires MAJOR vigilance. For heaven's sake, read a user manual!!

the fowlers said...

I don't know if you heard about Tatum's tiny version of this story, but she texted on my mom's work phone and she ended up getting a job to pay my mom back. Texting wasn't on their plan, either. It was a pretty big blowup for a couple of weeks.

Now my mom has a phone with text capabilities and I think they share the bill.

tammy said...

Ahhhh!!!!

I guess I should be glad my son hates to talk or text on the phone.

Mary said...

I have seen a 6 yr old with a cell phone...on numerous occasions! I agree that there isn't a need for a cell phone until they can drive.

tiburon said...

I would have had to fight the urge to smash the kid with the hammer.