Question for the hive mind: in my current WIP, I have a scene where an 11yo escapes a burning house and runs to a neighbor, who calls 911. Kid then uses neighbor's phone to call Mom. My critique group says this isn't believable because most 11yo's 1) would have their own phone and 2) wouldn't have Mom's number memorized. Not looking to debate parenting. Just need to know if I need to explain why the 11yo is phone-less and knows Mom's number. (Book is set this year.) Thanks!

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2024-08-18 13:08

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Ann Goltz
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35 分鐘內	El Rivers el_rivers_author	My kids don't have phones, both preteens. And they know our numbers in case they need to call from school. But you could have the neighbor have the moms number saved to circumvent that.
39 分鐘內	Tavia Allan taviaallan	Even if they had their own phone it could be broken/out of juice/lost/inaccessible due to the fire/confiscated. And their mother made them memorise phone number for just such an eventuality.
一小時內	Marikit Fain scherervillian	My youngest memorized my phone number on her own, literally from hearing me give it to cashiers. Other than that, I made sure both kids knew my number, and at 10 we still don't have cell phones.
一小時內	Stacy Jenson stacyjenson	My kids have memorized one parent’s number, mostly because our pediatrician prompted us to make this a priority. Our neighbor also knows our phone nos because we look after each other’s houses when we’re out of town. So, I think plausibility is not just about the 11 yo abilities, but if their parent would’ve equipped them in this way/have that kind of relationship with neighbors.
一小時內	Tessa tessareadsbooks	My 7yo knows my number you’re good
一小時內	Jess 🌈 jessreadsandlistens	My kids have my number memorized & they're not even 10 yet. They won't be getting phones until they're teenagers. This doesn't sound far-fetched to me.
2 小時內	Lisa Brassell mulysasempronius	My 10yo doesn't have a phone, and knows my phone number. Most people I know teach their kids their numbers. She is getting a watch soon, but will not have access to it at night- we will be keeping it in a separately room so she can't use it (even locked down it could be a light to read by). Most kids don't have unfettered access- another reason they still know their parents numbers in case of emergencies.
2 小時內	Michelle Rhodes Coady mrc75	Maybe a scene of a lost/broken/stolen phone earlier in the story with Mom lightly lecturing about having to know her number?
2 小時內	Bethany Phillips bgirl_la	My kid does have a phone, but also has my number memorized.
2 小時內	Leo Fergenson waffles_posts	1. You should always have at least one emergency contact number memorized, just in case. Can possibly include a flashback scene or have the character mention it. 2. Have them looking forward to getting their first phone on their 12th birthday