I recently began tracking my kids’ phones and it got me thinking, if I was married, how would I feel about tracking my husband’s phone? One one hand, tracking a spouse’s phone would probably give a person peace of mind. On the other hand, it could create all kinds of trust issues. “Why were you in the city today?” one person might ask the other. I’m sure that in cases of infidelity, this subject comes up, possibly as a way for the person to gain the cheater’s trust back. So, does tracking a spouse’s phone come down to safety, lack of trust or both? Here is this week’s Love Essentially column, where I explore this subject.
Tracking Your Spouse’s Phone: Peace of Mind or Lack of Trust by Jackie Pilossoph for Chicago Tribune Media Group
I’m the kind of mom who wants to know where my kids are at all times. Try not to judge me. When I was a kid, my parents were the same way. In my family, you had to call home when you got to your friend’s house, you had to call when you were leaving your friend’s house to bike home, and if plans changed (which they constantly do when you’re a kid) you had to call to let them know.
The difference between when I was growing up and now is that technology has replaced the need for direct communication between kids and their parents. The days of texting “Are you at Jimmy’s house yet?” or “What time are you coming home?” are over. One click on your phone will show you the exact location of each kid – or I should say each kid’s iPhone at least.
I’m referring to tracking apps, specifically Life360, which I downloaded last weekend. It’s not that I don’t trust my two teenagers. I truly do. For me, having the capability of knowing exactly where they are at all times gives peace of mind and a sense of safety. Call me a helicopter mom, but one week in and I’m loving this app already.
As a single mom, tracking ends with the kids. But I started to think, what if I was married? Would my husband and I track one another’s phones?
Click here to read the rest of the article, published in the Chicago Tribune Pioneer Press.
Like this article? Check out: “Trying To Save Your Marriage?”
Tracking your kids phones will give you peace of mind that you’re being a good parent and trying to teach your children how to be responsible with the power you’ve entrusted them with. Tracking your spouse’s phone shows an utter and complete breakdown in Trust such that you are now suspicious of your spouse’s activities.