The Hellion just asked me the ever-popular question "Do you think I'm old enough for a cell phone?" Um, no?
I explained that she could have a prepaid cell phone when she got a job or got a car, whichever came first. So, either 14 or 17. She's 8. It'll be a while. Sure, a lot of kids in her 3rd grade class have one, but where is the need? Why would she be anywhere that I would need to call her on a cell phone? Or that she would need to call me? She took it very well, but I'd imagine that the argument will become more heated as she gets older and more of her friends get them.
My parents got me my own phone line when I was about 15 or 16. They didn't do it for me. I had started dating and hanging out with my friends a lot and they were sick of the phone always being for me. I got a beeper when I was 16 or 17. I only got it because my dad's work got him a new one. It was just sitting there and after some begging, they finally connected it for me. This way they could get a hold of me when I was working or out with friends. I got a prepaid cell phone when I was 19 and pregnant with the Hellion because I was constantly making the 1.5 hour drive back and forth to college and they were afraid something would happen with the pregnancy and I would be all alone on some highway in the middle of the night. I didn't get a real cell phone until I was 23 and had started dating again. I was working, and the nursery school had to be able to get a hold of me. I was dating and the babysitters had to be able to get a hold of me. I had reasons.
I'm not trying to be mean by saying no. I just don't see the reason she needs one or the reason I need to pay for one at this point in her life.
I explained that she could have a prepaid cell phone when she got a job or got a car, whichever came first. So, either 14 or 17. She's 8. It'll be a while. Sure, a lot of kids in her 3rd grade class have one, but where is the need? Why would she be anywhere that I would need to call her on a cell phone? Or that she would need to call me? She took it very well, but I'd imagine that the argument will become more heated as she gets older and more of her friends get them.
My parents got me my own phone line when I was about 15 or 16. They didn't do it for me. I had started dating and hanging out with my friends a lot and they were sick of the phone always being for me. I got a beeper when I was 16 or 17. I only got it because my dad's work got him a new one. It was just sitting there and after some begging, they finally connected it for me. This way they could get a hold of me when I was working or out with friends. I got a prepaid cell phone when I was 19 and pregnant with the Hellion because I was constantly making the 1.5 hour drive back and forth to college and they were afraid something would happen with the pregnancy and I would be all alone on some highway in the middle of the night. I didn't get a real cell phone until I was 23 and had started dating again. I was working, and the nursery school had to be able to get a hold of me. I was dating and the babysitters had to be able to get a hold of me. I had reasons.
I'm not trying to be mean by saying no. I just don't see the reason she needs one or the reason I need to pay for one at this point in her life.