Have any of you heard this phrase uttered yet? It may seem like it is still just a bit too soon to be thinking about Christmas when Halloween hasn’t even passed yet, but the Holiday decorations already strewn about our local big box store immediately prompted a conversation of the hot topic amongst my kids. Before I know it, I’ll be doing last minute stocking stuffer shopping to make sure that I have all the items I need to make the season a success.
What they want for the holidays is always an ordeal because with their young ages, we still get a few ridiculous request (ex. Pony, fire truck, real dinosaurs, etc.). However, this year my eldest, who is only 9 mind you, asked for a smartphone. I was immediately able to tell her no and that she would have to wait a few years, but her request got me wondering when I would actually let my kids have a cell phone.
I have already seen kids as young as my daughter tote around cell phones. I even saw one little girl talking on an iPhone while her father did the same at the mall. While I wouldn’t dream of giving my 9 year old an expensive gadget like that at this moment, I do realize it is a parent’s personal choice. So when will I get my kids a cell phone?
Definitely not for Christmas this year. There is no way I am getting my daughter a $400 stocking stuffer.
Instead, I believe that she will just have to wait until she learns the value of the dollar, and right now, I don’t see that happening until high school. I may allow her to get one towards the end of junior high, but she may just get one of those prepaid phones as opposed to the latest smart phone. I wouldn’t put her on a bike without training wheels first, and I will do the same before giving her a device that she can rack up my monthly cell phone bill with. With a prepaid phone she will have to learn to properly manage her calls and texting or will just be without a phone for the rest of the month.
I may not be able to give my daughter everything she wants this holiday season, but at least it prompted me to think a little farther in to the future. Maybe I’ll throw in her stocking one of those plastic cell phones with candy inside just to poke a little fun. She may grumble for a minute, but will definitely enjoy driving me nuts with the sugar high later.
*Consideration was given to this article
My 16 years old wants one. PC mobile has very inexpensive phones (often on sale) that you can buy and a 100$ prepaid card. Luckily teenagers text more than they talk so the brain cancer is less of a concern. With a prepaid one I think he would learn to manager his time on the phone better. I certainly don’t want to give him illimited texting that is too much time spend on that device.
Thank you for your blog. We have two boys, aged 16 and 13 and they have asked for cell phones as some of their friends have had phones since they were 11. As of right now, we have no plans of getting them cell phones, maybe when they have jobs to pay for it themselves we will let them have cell phones. I have heard that kids minds are more sensitive to the waves off of cell phones and it could cause brain cancer, even though this has not been proven yet, I do not want to take a chance. So my kids think we are mean we could be saving their health.
Thanks Rhona. I have to admit, I don’t even have a cell phone. I’m glad my girls aren’t old enough for this decision yet, maybe by then, more information on the possibilities of brain cancer and cell phones.
Ah what? You have a 9 year old? I thought you had two girls that were young? I’m so confused!
hahaha, on the bottom, it says some consideration was given for the article. I accept sponsored posts from others now and then.