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PiscesMy 13-Year-Old's Cell-Phone Petition
Guest blogger Michelle Kemper Brownlow: A couple of weeks ago, my oldest sat my husband and me down at the kitchen table for a conversation that was a role-reversal of sorts. We were each handed an envelope; one said "Mom" and one said "Dad." We were given strict instructions not to open those envelopes until directed to do so. This child was turning 13 in two weeks, and was apparently preparing his case for his most coveted gift: a cell phone.
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I think 13 is a reasonable age to get a phone. He may not be alone much now, but within the next few years it may happen more and more. Also, I’m not sure it would have been fair to have him use his friends’ cell phones: they have plans and limited minutes, and I’m sure their parents don’t want to pay for other kids’ calls. That said, I think you guys made a good decision, and it sounds like your son really thought through his proposal. It seems far from an impulsive “But EVERYONE has one” teenage desire.
Sounds like you made the right decision to me. And Anonymous 1, the coffee in the sippy cup thing is killin’ me. Your SIL is priceless.
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I don’t think you were being soft. Sounds like your son did a respectful job of presenting his case and after a lot of thought and consideration you were able to come to a reasonable agreement that worked out for all. I don’t agree with your statement that “He is rarely anywhere alone; all of his friends have cells, so he can use theirs if he needs anything”. In this day and age, cell phones are the norm, and you can’t assume one will always be available for his use, or that he will always be comfortable asking to borrow someone’s. Heaven forbid as your child ventures into his teens that he might end up in a situation where he needs to get out of quickly, but isn’t comfortable using someone else’s phone. I too was once 13 and a very good kid who landed myself in a bad situation. Cell phones were not the norm then and luckily my parents had given me theirs for the evening “in case of an emergency”. There was an incident that occurred and I felt very uncomfortable and needed to leave immediately. I had that phone and I to this day believe having it saved me from what could have been a very bad situation. Needless, I didn’t get my own phone until later in high school where I paid for it and the monthly bill myself and have ever since. I think you guys made the right decision though. Times change…
my brother turned 12 last year and got a cell phone…my parents tried the same argument “you’re never alone” and he said thats because I dont have a cell phone so I cant be alone…using someone else’s phone is embarassing once your 13 so most kids dont want too…I got my phone when I was 12 and had the same phone for 3 years and just got a new one for my 15th birthday (the droid which I love) my parents had unlimited texting once I was put on the plan and I barely called anyone so the bill was never much because I stuck to the plan and so did both of my brothers when they were added…as long as you set rules and your kids has good grades and stuff then I don’t see an issue with having a cell at 13
How one raises kids is entirely personal decision. But I will be getting my son a cell phone when he’s old enough. It also helps that we do not have landline phone at home (which costs more than $15/month), so it’s more matter of necessity for us.
That said, beyond $10/month for adding another wireless line, my son will use his allowance toward “optional” feature like messaging ($5-20/month) and Internet ($10-30/month).
Many “cooler” phones require Internet feature (Samsung Reality requires $10/month Internet plan) and since most teenagers send and receive numerous messages per month, most teenagers need at least basic messaging plan. (If your kid’s phone is a smartphone like Android or iPhone, there are free unlimited texting apps that uses the Internet.) It is also important for parents to stay on top of their kid and monitor usage from carrier’s website.
I would have consider it and I would have given him the phone. I mean the kid really made a clever request, made it politely, and if he is such a good kid the idea seems not too far away. I mean at least he wasn’t asking for Kamagra or something.
It sounds like he is a mature boy for his age, and has thought through his reasoning. Presumably he had considered the likely counter-arguments. From what you have said, I think you made the right choice.
What the heck does a 10 year old need with a cell phone ? Or what does a 13 year old need with one, for that matter ? Cell phone’s didn’t exist when I was 13, and we turned out fine. Anyone who gets a phone for anyone under 18 is a total moron.
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I agree with Spottedfeather, why does a 13 year old need a cell phone and what are you going to give him on his 16th birthday and how are you going to keep him from texting while driving, have you thought of that? We had to bury our 23 year old son, a United States Marine that had A LOT of “responsabilities” because he was texting and driving. He knew better and was a mature adult. We now have nothing but memories of our son and we speak at conventions, schools and anywhere we can because a 2x4 inch box took his life and now we live a nighmare every day… Good luck with your son and I hope you have a chip in his phone so that when he does start driving his phone will not receive or send ANYTHING if he is going over 10mph… God Bless
You guys are dumb. I would die without my phone. Kay bye.
you are all wrong you all kids over five and up should have iphones blackberrys all kinds of phones i am 10 years old and i have an iphone
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I’d be inclined to concur with you here. Which is not something I typically do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!
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My SIL spends a lot of time complaining about the cell phone bill her 10 yo racks up. It never seems to occur to her that he is 10 and probably shouldn’t have a phone. (Then again her 2 yo shouldn’t have a sippy full of coffee either, but that is a different story) I don’t get giving phones to kids under the driving age, or under the age that they hang out with kids that drive. Where are they that they aren’t being monitored and need a phone?!