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 Linda Thomas
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Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

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Janel.jpg
Janell Burley Hofmann is the mother of five children, including 13-year-old Gregory who just got an iPhone with strings attached. Many parents admire Hofman who says she loves her kids with a "gentle and fierce heart." (Photo courtesy Janell Hofmann)

First viral sensation of 2013 - a mom's iPhone contract

January 2, 2013 @ 6:54 am (Updated: 12:51 pm - 1/3/13 )

We've already had the first viral sensation of the year.

A mom's contract with her son, who got an iPhone for Christmas, has caught on because she's the mom most of us want to be, but aren't.

Janell Hofmann gave her 13-year-old son an iPhone, with an 18 point contract that begins:

Dear Gregory

I love you madly & look forward to sharing several million text messages with you in the days to come.

1. It is my phone. I bought it. I pay for it. I am loaning it to you. Aren't I the greatest?

2. I will always know the password.

3. If it rings, answer it. It is a phone. Say hello, use your manners. Do not ever ignore a phone call if the screen reads "Mom" or "Dad". Not ever.

"Do not involve yourself in conversations that are hurtful to others. Be a good friend first or stay the hell out of the crossfire," she says. "Do not send or receive pictures of your private parts or anyone else's private parts. Don't laugh. Someday you will be tempted to do this despite your high intelligence."

Hofmann says she's gotten a lot of requests from other parents who want to use her contract as well.

I like contract points 13 and 14:

Don't take a zillion pictures and videos. There is no need to document everything. Live your experiences. They will be stored in your memory for eternity.

Leave your phone home sometimes and feel safe and secure in that decision. It is not alive or an extension of you. Learn to live without it. Be bigger and more powerful than FOMO - fear of missing out.

How does Greg feel about this?

"Why? Why did she really have to do this?," he told ABC News.

She did it because she's a cool mom - by my definition. I'm not. I'm the mom who handed over an iPhone to my 17-year-old daughter with no restrictions, no conditions. I even bought insurance for it in case it's ever lost or stolen.

Hmmmm, I'm reconsidering as I look at the rest of Gregory's iPhone Contract.

By LINDA THOMAS

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (8)


  • Add A Comment

  • DJFavorite wrote...
    While I didn't have a 'contract'
    January 2, 2013 6:28 am
    I do have my rules for phones ever since we first gave them one when they were 12. Many are listed in this contract. One I have is if it takes more than 2 or 3 texts to talk to me about something, then it's time to call. Either I will or they will. They call me more than they text me because of that rule. I don't know passwords, but if I want to look at the contents of the phones, they have to unlock it for me. We've had similar rules about computers. Like when they first joined FB, they had to friend me and are not allowed to 'de-friend' me.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • when reality hits you wrote...
    Beautiful Family. Should kids of any age have an Iphone?
    January 2, 2013 7:35 am
    A strong home work ethic is more valuable than texting and watching the latest viral video on Youtube. Parents, Iphones are toys and toys dont belong in school.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    Cool Mom?
    January 2, 2013 8:31 am
    Being a "cool mom" is now actually asking your kids to show responsibility? Wow what happened?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • awbitf wrote...
    Further proof that Samsung was right
    January 2, 2013 8:33 am
    only parents really want iPhones now, the cool kids are buying elsewhere.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Why not take it a step further?
    January 2, 2013 11:07 am
    If your kid wants a phone let him first earn the money to pay for it and then continue earn money to pay the monthly bill?Yes the same goes for the 1st vehicle also.You never value something given you as you do something you earned. Now thats a true life lesson
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vinsanity wrote...
    RE: Why not take it a step further?
    January 2, 2013 11:41 am
    If you do that, the next thing you'll find is you will be kindly (well perhaps not so kindly) asked to buy your own grave and funeral when the need arises...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nachomomma wrote...
    RE: Why not take it a step further?
    January 3, 2013 3:29 pm
    Vinsanity - everyone should have their final expenses planned or at least an insurance policy or money set aside. That's called being responsible and planning ahead. Messiah101: You are correct. Teach them responsibility from the beginning and it will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    I don't know if I'd call this mom "cooler" than you Linda...
    January 2, 2013 1:58 pm
    Each case is different... and each child (for the most part) is as well.

    What worked for this mom and her 13-year old son may not have worked well at all for you and your 17-year old daughter... not to mention the obvious age differences (as I believe Tom T. pointed out this morning on air).

    I think this contract does sound cool in many ways - provided there is a good balance between parental involvement and a parent allowing their child to experience a resonable amount of independence.

    On one point I have to say I disagree with the idea that a parent shouldn't ask for the password to a phone or computer. I think a parent should ALWAYS have access to those types of devices if they need it.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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