Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Talk to your parents
• Method 2 of 3: Meet your parents' expectations
• Method 3 of 3: Demonstrate responsibility
• Tips
• Warnings

It is quite common for parents to take their children's cell phones as punishment. Your parents may have decided to temporarily take away your mobile phone because you have not kept certain agreements. They could also do this in response to another mistake you made. It's important to understand why your parents took your phone, discuss how to get your phone back, and show your parents that you take your responsibilities regarding your phone seriously.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Talk to your parents

1. Identify the best time to talk to your parents. Find the right time and place when you want to talk to your parents. Make sure you cannot be disturbed by others. At home or in the car is a good place. Don't bring up the topic right before something else is on the agenda.
2. Discuss the problem with your parents. Reach out carefully so that you can bring up the problem. Your goal is to find out why your parents took your phone. If you don't know the reason for this, then you don't know the best way to get your phone back.
   • Give yourself time to calm down and keep your cool. Do not talk to your parents about the topic if you are angry with them for taking your phone.
3. Listen carefully to your parents. When your parents explain what you did wrong, make sure you listen to them carefully. Avoid thinking about how you want to respond. Think carefully about what your parents say so that you can respond appropriately and respectfully.
4. Express your feelings. Reflect on your parents' complaints. Then tell your parents how you feel about this. Discuss your side of the story with your parents so they can better understand what was going on when you made your mistake.
5. Apologize for the mistake you made. Take responsibility for your mistake and sincerely apologize to your parents. Your parents try to teach you something by taking your phone. The first step in acknowledging and correcting your mistake is to apologize.
   • Don't beg your parents to return your phone after you apologize. It's important to do what your parents asked you to do to get your phone back. Begging does not add credibility to your apology.
6. Discuss a plan for getting your phone back. Once you've fully discussed the issue with your parents, request some sort of arrangement to get your phone back. Discuss a timeline and the steps you should take.

Method 2 of 3: Meet your parents' expectations

1. Determine who owns the phone. If you don't pay for the subscription, the phone probably isn't yours either. Make sure you respect the agreed rules regarding the telephone. If the rules are not completely clear to you, discuss them again with your parents.
2. Try to correct your mistake. You will likely have to meet a few requirements to get your phone back. Make it work and try to meet the requirements.
   • For example, if your phone use has resulted in additional costs for your parents, they may want you to contribute to the bill. Look for chores and chores you can do to earn some extra money so you can pay back your parents a portion.
   • If your parents took your phone because of bad grades at school, you should try harder to get better grades. Show your parents your grades and show that you take school seriously.
3. Meet your parents' expectations. You need to show your parents that you take their concerns seriously and that you will not make mistakes again. You can do this by trying to meet their expectations as much as possible. Try this at all times and not just when you have run into trouble.
   • This also prevents your phone from being taken away from you again in the future.

Method 3 of 3: Demonstrate responsibility

1. Use your phone when the time is right. Once you have your phone back, it is important that you only use it at appropriate times from now on. Discuss with your parents what they think is appropriate times and ask when you shouldn't use your phone.
   • Set some sort of curfew in consultation with your parents. This curfew relates to the use of your phone. Also discuss whether curfews are different on school days than on weekends.
   • Do not use your phone while eating, in class, or driving a motor vehicle. By adhering to these rules, you show your parents that you handle your phone responsibly.
2. Do not exceed your monthly bundle. If you do not pay for the telephone bill yourself, you may not be fully aware of the subscription you have. The bill will be a lot higher if you go outside your bundle. Discuss with your parents which subscription you have.
   • Find out if you have an unlimited plan or are dealing with a limited bundle.
   • Determine how many messages or photos you can send per month.
   • Know how much data you can use and how you can avoid going out of bundle.
   • Ask your parents if you also have to deal with roaming or restrictions when it comes to calling abroad. Calling and sending messages abroad can be more expensive.
3. Respect the restrictions your parents have placed on you. If your parents have placed certain restrictions on you with regard to your cell phone, respect them and obey the rules. This is important as it can prevent your phone from being taken away again. Use your phone responsibly.

Tips

• Don't beg your parents to get your phone back. In an adult way, work together to find a way to get your phone back.
• Keep doing your best in school to show that you are not running away from your responsibilities and that you are ready to get your phone back.

Warnings

• Using too much data or making long calls can result in a high telephone bill.
• Despite your best efforts, your parents may well decide not to return your phone.