When presented with a Motorola cell phone 12 years ago, I balked.

I'd asked for hair clips for Christmas, not a gadget I'd never use or had no need for. Reluctantly, I carried the cumbersome phone with me, and usually had it turned off or in need of recharging. When friends asked for my cell number, I had no clue.

Years later, my 13-year-old daughter suggested I get her a cell phone. All her friends had a cell. Of course. She tried a little harder, hopeful. Her own cell phone would allow her to communicate more with me.

I hesitated, but soon she was added to my plan. There were rules though -- she had to pay for the service by doing her daily chores. The money she once received for her chores would go toward the phone charges. If she didn't keep up with taking out the trash, well, the phone would be history. Years and a few upgrades later, she continued her chores, got a job at a restaurant, and paid me every month in cash for an addition to her plan -- text messaging.

A recent survey shows that seven out of 10 parents text so that they can keep up with their teenagers. Of course I had no interest in texting until my boyfriend bought me a phone under his plan and included unlimited texting. As a writer I still debate whether or not it is OK to text without proper punctuation:

"Do u care? Youre not staying out that late!"

Even if we eliminate grammar when we text, still there are rules I insist we follow.

• No texting at the table
• No texting in church
• No texting while driving
• If you are a passenger in my car, please donŐt text when I am trying to talk to you
• If you really want something, call me or wait till we can talk face to face
• It is not a good idea to break up with your boyfriend via text messaging
• It is also no good trying to get out of a family dinner via text

These rules apply to all my kids now, because recently, they each got a free cell phone, and added to the family plan. Oh, and when I say no texting when driving I know from experience. One afternoon when my daughter asked if she should steer the Jeep for me, I knew I had crossed all sorts of scary lines. I tossed the phone into my purse and gave everyone in the vehicle a mini-lecture. They are smart; they knew the speech was aimed at me.

It's true that teens can communicate better with their parents via texting. When my 18-year-old is out with friends, she makes a point to let me read her words on my tiny screen. Sometimes, she even writes, "I love you, Mom."

Although I'm often tempted to write back, "Luv u 2," the writer in me puts her foot down.