Apparently, he set some kind of record at the local Verizon. I think it's ridiculous but he's not my kid, so I stay out of it. If it were my child, I would be concerned that he was getting interuppted at night (as he is) and not spending this time at work or on school work. (He's a marginal student.)

"Evil Stepmothers aren't born, it comes with the territory"

I swear teenagers today (I have a teen daughter and I teach high school) have their phones permanently attached to their hand. Huge dilemma in schools anymore...these kids are so "good" at texting, they can have the damn phone in their pocket and text without even looking at the phone. So it's tough to catch them in the act anymore.

There was an experiment in Philadelphia last spring where they took the phone away from a group a teens for a week and those kids had NO CLUE what to do with themselves without their phone. (Like read a good book, do a puzzle, etc...things WE USED TO DO when we were kids???). Scary to think what technology will serve up in the next decade....

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."-Eleanor Roosevelt

4,000 texts in 30 days is excessive for anyone. Can you take away his phone at bedtime (he may be texting in bed instead of sleeping.) Also- remind him to turn his phone off, at school, and check him on it. (It's still summer- so this isn't an issue right now.)

Limit his time with his phone- i.e.- put the phone in "time out" for a couple of hours a day and encourage him to do other activities- outside fun, reading, etc.

Good luck!
Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC
http://www.BlendedFamilyAdvice.com

Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC
Shirley is a stepmom to 3 kids, and biological mom to 2 kids, ages 14-21. She is a counselor, coach and author. Shirley has a passion for helping blended families be strong and successful. She has a website dedicated to help

That's about 130 a day! That is ridiculous.

"If your going through hell, keep on going, don't slow down, if you're scared, don't show it, you might get out before the devil even knows you're there" -Rodney Atkins

I text a lot and I only use 1600 or so...thats just ridiculous. Hopefully that will drop once school starts!

"I child proofed my whole house, but they STILL get in!"

Considering the fact it is summer and kids tend to send texts as short as "K" and "LOL"---then not really.

With that being said, there should be a dramatic decrease once school is back in session. If there is not, then I would really worry and consider revoking phone privileges---especially if you are paying for each text message!

Take care,
Anne

Sometimes you have to test the limits to show you're not a doormat.

and I do about 1800 a month... if you have a teen that's texting several other kids and like was stated above with little short texts then 4000 for a teen isn't that crazy really. I agree once school is back in session that should dramatically drop. Perfectson17 does around 2-3000 a month fairly easily.

I hope it's unlimited texting else yikes, that would be terribly expensive!