The First Phone Workbook

Most first-phone advice argues about age. This workbook does not. It treats the phone as three decisions bundled together, whether, which, and on what terms, and makes you answer them in that order.

Step 1 is a trigger test that tells half of parents they need a watch, not a smartphone. Step 2 is the ladder: four rungs, what each does and cannot do, and why the parent's old phone is usually the worst choice. Steps 3 to 5 are the shape, six pass or fail gates, and 46 rated questions across four weighted criteria. Score up to five devices.

Steps 6 and 7 are the product. Ownership, replacement, and exit terms, written before the phone arrives. A five-rule agreement with consequences and signatures. A 90-day review.

19-page printable PDF. Seven-tab Excel scorecard. Instant download.