So let's talk about cell phones. When should a parent give their child a cell phone? How old is old enough? What are good reasons for a kid to have a cell phone? We got Kaid a cell phone because he told us that he didn't feel like he could ask his mom to call us. I guess she is really a stickler about her minutes. So we took that out of the equation. We are paying for it and according to him, she calls him all the time. So why is she saying that he can't have the phone down there? It makes no sense. He has been talking to a girl in Texas and he put her picture as his wallpaper. He was showing his mom a forward text and she saw the wallpaper and freaked out. He was so upset. It wasn't the fact that she didn't want him to have the phone when he is with her, it is that she doesn't trust him. She keeps him like a prisoner. As much as I would love to tell him that everything he was calling her was what I thought of her, I had to tell him that she is his mother. I would die if my kids called me the names that he was calling her. I don't know what to do. The worst part of being a step parent is that your hands are tied. You love the kid, but you have no power or control. I just love him and want him to be happy. How can she not see how much he is hurting? I guess I will do what I always do, be there. That is after all what a stepparents job is. If you meet someone who has children think twice. Please. It is not easy.