Amanda Lamb: Find my child

Is knowing more a good thing?

When we were growing up, there were no cell phones, text messaging or GPS. When we left our homes and told our parents we were going somewhere, they trusted us to tell the truth. Now, we can track our children's every move. We can figure out where their phones are and where their cars are at all times.

I haven't completely decided if this is a good thing or not. On one hand, we have more information about where our kids are, but on the other hand, we have no more insight into what they're doing, yet we have an added layer of worry when they are not where we expected them to be.

There is a certain amount of autonomy that you need to give children in order for them to develop into young adults who will be independent and make mature decisions. Yet, we have the technology to oversee their every move. So why wouldn't we exercise that ability?

I remember someone telling me once that the role of a parent of a teenager was to get that child through those years alive. He said if you can get your child to college relatively unscathed, you have done your job.

So, my answer is definitely, yes, I will use technology and any other means to make sure my children are safe. Am I prying? Am I invading their privacy? Oh well. The way I see it I'm doing my job and, maybe someday when they have children, they will understand just how important that job is.