Good Lifestyle

Lifestyle journalist and television commentatorTraec bodge I wanted a way to keep tabs on her 12-year-old daughter, as she learned to enjoy her independence - so she downloaded an application to follow her location. In the end, it has increased the level of trust between the mother and the girl.It's his story, as saidBetter life.

Spring before my daughter graduated from fifth year, she and her friends asked if they could go out alone in the city center of our new suburb of Jersey. It was a first for me. My daughter is my only child and thinking of her being exit and about herself nervously bother me. I know she and her friends are an intelligent group of children, but like every mother, I'm worried.

Around the time, my daughter asked me to hang out, a friend introduced me to theLIFE360 APP. It's an application that uses the GPS on your child's phone to show their location. You can set specific application locations, then receive notifications when your child (or his phone, at least!) Leave or arrives at this location. I found this super helpful, especially when my daughter was released late in the afternoon and had been invited to go home from a friend before nightfall.

I will admit that I looked at the application a little in these first days. For about six months, I checked its location a few times whenever it was unlawful, which was about once a week during the school year and more frequently during the summer. I felt like I allowed him a little reasonable independence, but it was also a huge comfort so that I know where she was. Even if I did not sought, I knew it was an option.

Once, in the summer, after my daughter, graduated from the fifth year, one of my friends has allowed his daughter to walk around the city with my daughter. It was the first time of his daughter who does that, but my friend felt comfortable with that because my daughter had already done so many times. It turns out, my friend has so nervous that she followed them in his car. The girls caught him in the law and had a good laugh for his expenses. Now it's hilarious - but obviously I could totally relate.

To be clear, my daughter always knew that I followed her. Allowing me to see his location was part of the agreement. I do not think she has the mind, especially since she was so young when we started.

Most of the time, my daughter was just where she said she would be when she said she would be there. But sometimes, if it became dark and see that she was going home nor at a friend's house, I will remember it to remind her. I think she appreciated I was looking for her. To date, we have not had a negative conversation about the application.

Over time, I checked its location less and less. These days, I always alerts for different places, like his school bus, school, his homes of his friends and after-school activities, but I do not really check the application unless it is Falling dark and she is always outside.

I started checking less frequently because I felt that she had adequate experience that knows itself. She clearly understood the rules and was good to follow them, so there was also a confidence.

Of course, my daughter is only 12 years old, so we have not reached these teenage years where she will want total independence. When the time comes, I'm sure we will come back to the idea of ​​localization sharing.

I think it's a good idea for parents to follow their child's location. Regardless of their age, knowing where your children can add an additional layer of protection. I think, however, that it is imperative that the child be aware that they are followed. Parents and children should have an integrated relationship to trust, rather than a place where they sneak behind the back of the other.

I think if children know that their parent can see their location at some point, they might be more likely to make smarter decisions. But for now, I will use the mentality that less follow-up is more. And for more information how to be a great parent in the era of smartphones and social media, consult the30 things that parents have to worry now that they did not do it 30 years ago .

To discover more incredible secrets about the life of your best life, Click here To follow you on Instagram!