I am asking for this to be informative.

My dh and I have have tossed this around. Our oldest is 5 and years from us even considering a cell phone for her. But I would like to know from other parents the reason(s) why they did or did not get one for their children and the ages of the child when they got one.

It seems like this is becoming a "neccissity" but I am really uncomfortable with this idea still. Please inform me ladies.:tease

John and I have talked about it and we've decide if we do end up geting a cell phone for Cory it will the kind where he can only call the numbers we programed in. I see no need for him to have a cell phone right now. hes only 7. I keep pretty tight tabs on my kids. We actually just talked about this tonight too. We decided once he out grows the programable one we'll allow him to have a pre-paid one but he'll have to work for minutes

I like the idea of workig for minutes. But I would also be ticked if there were no minutes for me to get a hold of my child with :thinking

I like free mobile to mobile, and limited minutes. My 7 year old asked me for one and I think that's too young.

Savannah has asked me for also. Not yet, i think she is too young for one. I still have very close tabs on her, so it's not needed.

I don't see my child getting a cell phone until he begins Jr. High, where he's going to be attending functions frequently.

When our contact is up with the stupid company we have now, we are getting a shared plan... with Cingular, and getting my 10 yr old and 8 yr old the fireflies.... We decided that a few months back... we have until Jan.

i'm 20 now and i got my first one when i was around 13 or 14. they now have ones that are for younger kids (through disney phones) that you can allot minutes like an allowance. i've seen them on t.v. they look pretty interesting. the kid on there is like 9 or so. its a good idea for once your kids start going to and from school by themselves or when they are staying home alone, etc etc. i don't see a reason for it other than that. young kids are just still too irresponsible to have an object like a cell phone. i'm 20 and i still :quote misplace :quote mine

We just bought our oldest 11 and 7 cells. Our kids are on the go every day and it's more of a comfort thing for me than them really. We live in a housing development that's about 11 miles from town so it can be sunny here yet storming on the football field or track where our son practices. As for the 7 year old, she is in competition cheer and when she's out of town for demo's or practices (that I can't make) we can keep in touch.

I will get them for my kids when they are old enough to go places without me. Tony and I talk about this all the time.

my kids are soon to be 11 & 14 & they both have their own cells-we keep tight tabs on them but if they are in any sort of emergency or uncomfortable situation, I want them to feel safe enough that they can reach us right away

:thinking I am glad I have a few more years to think on this. Thank you ladies for the input. I would love to hear more from the rest of the ladies.

We were always against giving our kids cells but now that they're involved in many sports and community activities I feel better knowing they have them.

good thread.

my oldest is 10.......he is frequently at activities where our two way walkie talkies don't reach him. DH and I have thought about getting him a firefly, but since we don't know anyone who actually HAS one I have questions.

I mean I know the only calls that can go into the phone are the ones you program in. I like that alot, but I'm just worried that the one time I need to call him and don't have my phone that number won't be programmed into the phone.

I honestly think he's getting one for christmas or his birthday this year. He's going to be doing more activities that keep him off base and he'll be flying from Hawaii to Kansas City this summer and I'd like him to have an immediate way of contacting someone.........

I'd get them cell phones when they start to be away from home alone more often. Maybe when they're teens and I'll drop them off at functions rather than staying there with them.

good thread.

my oldest is 10.......he is frequently at activities where our two way walkie talkies don't reach him. DH and I have thought about getting him a firefly, but since we don't know anyone who actually HAS one I have questions.

I mean I know the only calls that can go into the phone are the ones you program in. I like that alot, but I'm just worried that the one time I need to call him and don't have my phone that number won't be programmed into the phone.

I honestly think he's getting one for christmas or his birthday this year. He's going to be doing more activities that keep him off base and he'll be flying from Hawaii to Kansas City this summer and I'd like him to have an immediate way of contacting someone.........

we looked at them. we were told that you program #'s that the phone will accept. doesnt matter how many. what matters is there are only a couple of #'s that she could call too. so we had figured out that we could program all the grandparents, mine and DH's cell #'s, our work #'s to call to the cell. but Savannah could only call our house phone or mine and DH's cell.

My oldest is 13 going on 14 she has had a phone for a yr now. She goes places with her friends or if we go to the mall she usually goes shopping into other stores.. My youngeset is 9 going on 10 and we got her a phone a few months ago only cause of a mishap in Texas. She doesn't go anywhere without us but she uses it around the house when she is going to a neighbors house or play at the park and it helps us keep tabs on her when she is out with her friends also. We don't pay anymore than we did for 4 phones than we did for 2 phones..

thanks Donna!!

yeah I think we're going to get the 10 year old a cell this year........he has been able to use a two way for most of the time on base, but now he is going out of it's range most of the time.......soooooo.....Alot of activities he has been involved in lately are off base....and they don't always have a phone readily available.

just out of curiosity......has anyone looked into the ones with GPS built into them? I keep reading reviews that parents are really wanting phones with GPS to locate the child if need be.......

Anya was 6.5 last year when we got her the added line onto our sprint account for her but it was because she was traveling to IL to see her :censored.

Now Im looking at the Tracfone becuase I don't like how small the firefly is nor the price of the disney one.

Reasons why... she's into cheer, she has friends behind our house, across the block, 3 blocks down, around the cornor, in other towns that she visits, and it's nice to be able to get ahold of her when I want to. Right now she just takes my phone with her when she goes to play but my ringers broken so it's hard for her to know when I call her.

Trav all of a sudden doesn't want her to have one but I will get him to change his mind if he knows whats good for him. :kingfu

okay.......another question for people whose kids have cells.....because oddly enough DH mentioned wanting to drop the house phone. We never use it....it's a huge waste. So we'd need to add our son to our family plan. He's 10.......average in responsibility.....haha.........most of his friends that do have cell phones just have regular phones.

What kind do your kids have? a cell that is geared TOWARDS kids or a regular cell?

Those firefly things seem interesting

:thinking I am glad I have a few more years to think on this. Thank you ladies for the input. I would love to hear more from the rest of the ladies.

While I don't technically qualify as a "lady", I'll tell you what I know:

Neglecting a child a cell phone (of ANY kind, pre-paid, disposable, etc) will only make the child want one even more as she gets older and will use it more recklessly. The use of a cell phone, as with any gadget these days, should be responsibility and moderation oriented. I remember having to EARN my first Nintendo system.. $99 was a TON of money for a kid, and my brother and I went out mowing yards, literally, for a month straight. The pay off? That SAME Nintendo is at my dads house, 20 years later, still in perfect working order. We wiped that system down every night with a cloth diaper and stored it in it's box. We take care of what we EARN.

What we'll probably do is determine a criteria for our kids to have a cell phone. We won't set an age limit. If our child can say he wants one, then we'll have a list of tasks that must be completed first. He WILL know how to use 911, (one of the tasks will be to talk to a police officer AND a fireman about how important 911 is,) he will have to tell me the history of the phone (Sorry, I'm old fashioned. History brought us to where we are, and will lead us to where we're going,) and some other menial chores. Once he's completed his list, which we'll have put on the refrigerator for him to look at every single day, we'll go down and get a cell phone that's appropriate for his age. We'll reward him with minutes depending on his behavior and consistency in his chores each month.

Again, treat the cell phone issue as you would any other life lesson. If you wait until the child is older, you run the risk of your child going completely nuts/insane. Don't neglect this opportunity to teach your kids the value of something they really really want. Who knows, they could grow up to be the next CEO of Nokia.

While I don't technically qualify as a "lady", I'll tell you what I know:

Neglecting a child a cell phone (of ANY kind, pre-paid, disposable, etc) will only make the child want one even more as she gets older and will use it more recklessly. The use of a cell phone, as with any gadget these days, should be responsibility and moderation oriented. I remember having to EARN my first Nintendo system.. $99 was a TON of money for a kid, and my brother and I went out mowing yards, literally, for a month straight. The pay off? That SAME Nintendo is at my dads house, 20 years later, still in perfect working order. We wiped that system down every night with a cloth diaper and stored it in it's box. We take care of what we EARN.

What we'll probably do is determine a criteria for our kids to have a cell phone. We won't set an age limit. If our child can say he wants one, then we'll have a list of tasks that must be completed first. He WILL know how to use 911, (one of the tasks will be to talk to a police officer AND a fireman about how important 911 is,) he will have to tell me the history of the phone (Sorry, I'm old fashioned. History brought us to where we are, and will lead us to where we're going,) and some other menial chores. Once he's completed his list, which we'll have put on the refrigerator for him to look at every single day, we'll go down and get a cell phone that's appropriate for his age. We'll reward him with minutes depending on his behavior and consistency in his chores each month.

Again, treat the cell phone issue as you would any other life lesson. If you wait until the child is older, you run the risk of your child going completely nuts/insane. Don't neglect this opportunity to teach your kids the value of something they really really want. Who knows, they could grow up to be the next CEO of Nokia.

That was rather insightful. Thank you.

While I don't technically qualify as a "lady", I'll tell you what I know:

Neglecting a child a cell phone (of ANY kind, pre-paid, disposable, etc) will only make the child want one even more as she gets older and will use it more recklessly. The use of a cell phone, as with any gadget these days, should be responsibility and moderation oriented. I remember having to EARN my first Nintendo system.. $99 was a TON of money for a kid, and my brother and I went out mowing yards, literally, for a month straight. The pay off? That SAME Nintendo is at my dads house, 20 years later, still in perfect working order. We wiped that system down every night with a cloth diaper and stored it in it's box. We take care of what we EARN.

What we'll probably do is determine a criteria for our kids to have a cell phone. We won't set an age limit. If our child can say he wants one, then we'll have a list of tasks that must be completed first. He WILL know how to use 911, (one of the tasks will be to talk to a police officer AND a fireman about how important 911 is,) he will have to tell me the history of the phone (Sorry, I'm old fashioned. History brought us to where we are, and will lead us to where we're going,) and some other menial chores. Once he's completed his list, which we'll have put on the refrigerator for him to look at every single day, we'll go down and get a cell phone that's appropriate for his age. We'll reward him with minutes depending on his behavior and consistency in his chores each month.

Again, treat the cell phone issue as you would any other life lesson. If you wait until the child is older, you run the risk of your child going completely nuts/insane. Don't neglect this opportunity to teach your kids the value of something they really really want. Who knows, they could grow up to be the next CEO of Nokia.


good points.

I have a few friends whose children don't know how to dial 911 or ANY phone number.....isn't that crazy? My friend thinks that she'll always be there to take care of him........in that ONE situation I want my son to know what to do......and we have already taught him that.

I agree the Disney phone are pretty cool. They track where your child is... you can see their minutes and who they have called from your phone. Pretty neat!

However, unless there is good reason I don't plan on letting my child have one until high school. It is just one more thing for a youngin to lose and me to pay for. I think it is nuts how some little kids have them. I don't know about them, but I plan on being where my child is unless they are at school, etc. I can see situations where a kid needs a cell phone. A teenager... ok maybe we'll think about it.

If you wait until the child is older, you run the risk of your child going completely nuts/insane.

What do you mean?

Literally? If so, I have to disagree.

What do you mean?

Literally? If so, I have to disagree.

I'm thinking he was being sarcastic.

Were thinking of a prepaid for my dd, who is 12, through Virgin which is Sprint prepaid. She does have to earn her minutes through grades and chores etc, but this will NOT happen until after the first set of progress reports.

What do you mean?

Literally? If so, I have to disagree.

Hrmmmmm... I didn't think I'd ever have to clarify that statement. "Nuts/Insane" as in "I finally have a CELL PHONE! I'm gonna go NUTS if I don't call someone RIGHT NOW! How insane is that?!"

But, if that's the only thing people saw wrong with my debate, then it sounds like a lot of kids are getting cell phones AND learning responsibility and personal accountability!

i was 21 years old and BOUGHT my own phone. when trent gets a job and after paying certain things (ie...savings, church) i dont care what he does with his money. BUT when it runs out.......it is gone. i am not paying for his bills

i was 21 years old and BOUGHT my own phone. when trent gets a job and after paying certain things (ie...savings, church) i dont care what he does with his money. BUT when it runs out.......it is gone. i am not paying for his bills

I agree w/ Jill.

My opinion on this whole thing and I didn't really give my input on this just yet till now.. but I don't feel teenagers need a cell. I mean, don't get me wrong. If I had a child and they are out working a full-time job, yeah, I don't see a problem with that. I however do disagree with teenagers having them who don't earn them by paying for the cell phone and keeping up with the monthly bill

I guess this goes hand in hand with the issue of teenagers driving their parents cars, even newer cars. I feel as though if you aren't earning it, you don't need it, but again.. That's just my opinion like all the rest and I'm entitled.

but I don't feel teenagers need a cell.

That statement is a universal fact. I couldn't agree more. $200 shoes, $80 T-shirts and $140 jeans are nothing more than status symbols. By neglecting a child a cell phone, you do run the risk of that child feeling like a social leper. It's tough being a kid. Status is everything, and no matter how much you stress values over impressions, it never weakens the child's desire to be part of the "IN" crowd.

Personally, I despise cell phones. I've owned one. I used that one right up until the day my wife and son came home from the hospital 4 days after his birth. But I'm not going to push my personal beliefs on my child. I will push my morals on him, but he will make his own decisions and face the consequence of those actions.

Of course, that's why I have a saving's account dedicated to bailing him out of trouble when he falls short. :)

By neglecting a child a cell phone, you do run the risk of that child feeling like a social leper. It's tough being a kid. Status is everything, and no matter how much you stress values over impressions, it never weakens the child's desire to be part of the "IN" crowd.



but when is it too much? a brand new car? the biggest parties? or even lets say...drinking in the home? it reminds me of a saying..."if your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?"

That statement is a universal fact. I couldn't agree more. $200 shoes, $80 T-shirts and $140 jeans are nothing more than status symbols. By neglecting a child a cell phone, you do run the risk of that child feeling like a social leper. It's tough being a kid. Status is everything, and no matter how much you stress values over impressions, it never weakens the child's desire to be part of the "IN" crowd.


Some very good points my friend.

Even for me, I'm 27 years of age and to this day.. I still have a pager. Yes, a pager. My friends look at me like I'm some weirdo still using a VCR rather then a DVD player. However, It's not the fact I don't want to "come up to speed" it's the fact I don't want to waste my money on a prepaid phone and using phone cards.. due to me having bad credit for a normal cell phone. Yes, that's my only option seeing as I don't have it as easy as other people where their parents say.. "yeah, okay.. we'll add you to our family plan".. and that's basically it. It's parents adding their kids to their plan. It's parents getting their teenagers cell phones. 0 purpose.

Have the kid get out there when they are legal to get a job.. have them work those 40 hours a week and let them buy this stuff themselves. If they can't manage the monthly bill, guess what? I guess having their cell phone on and working isn't that much of a priority.. how I see it.

but when is it too much? a brand new car? the biggest parties? or even lets say...drinking in the home? it reminds me of a saying..."if your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?"

Yes, I would jump off the bridge. My friends are generally educated people, and they must know that somethings wrong with it.

I'm speaking materially. If he wants a car, he can price it and work his little fingers to the bone trying to earn it. I'll help him every now and then, surely. He'll do chores for us around the house if it's too cold to mow yards or whatever. The biggest parties? Not a chance. That affects me and mommy. This is a different argument entirely. However, if he wants to have a party, he's going to work for it. He's going to do all the work for it. Getting the munchies, putting stuff up, party-safing the house, etc. Again, I'll help. I want my son to feel like a contributing factor in the house, not a prisoner in it.

Now, the drinking thing is something that's REALLY personal with me. I don't drink, save a rare occasion. But the logic in me argues the fact that at 18 years old, he can vote, fight and die for his beliefs. If he joins the military, even after I try like hell to talk him out of it, he will ALWAYS be welcome to drink in my house, regardless of his age. Where I'm from, a child no younger than 12 can drink beer (not liquor) in his parents house as long as a gaurdian is present. Sounds redneck, I know, but this makes sense to me. If he's doing it at home, I KNOW where he's going to pass out that night.

And that was a completely different topic :)

My dh and I will not keep up with the "jones'" for our kids. However we do try to make them feel normal or included with other kids their age.

I personally have dollar amounts on clothing and will not spend more for big name brands. However birthdays, Christmas and special gift occasions we will consider those items that we will not normally spend money for.

Overall we do not see a cell as a need for a child (anyone under 18). But we also see that we will want to be able to call our child or them call us should a need arise. This thought is what makes the decision hard for us. Hopefully we are a good 9 or so years away from this issue.

i guess you will be the friends parents that my son wish he had!!:wink :lol

It's a trade off. I want more than anything to shelter my son from the life I knew growing up. The hatred, the anger, the fear... I want to just wrap my arms around him and keep all those things away.

But I just can't do that. This would neuter him to a very cruel and mean world. I will give him every fighting chance I can think of.

cells werent around/affordable when i was growing up. but you can bet that my kids will have them when they start doing things on their own away from me. i will ALWAYS have close tabs on my kids and if that means they have cells, so be it.

as for the name brand clothes.... i said that i wouldnt do it. but already at 7, my daughter is being teased about her clothes!!! sorry, i cant deal with how she reacts. my heart just breaks for her. she reminds me so much of me when i was growing up. so yes, now she has name brand clothes and so does Gabe. Gabe hasnt even started school yet, and he is teased cause of his scars.

cars... my parents bought me a car when i turned 17. main reason, to help my mom with picking my stepdad up from work in the afternoon and getting my sister and i to volleyball games and practice. if i can afford too, i will do the same with my kids. along with the car, will come chores with the house. grocery shopping, running errands, etc.

as to the kids need to earn their stuff there are different degrees of that. for example i get to keep my cell phone and i can have my car (well that applies to my first car) as long as i had good grades, didn't fuck up too much and generally followed the rules at home. during school breaks i worked and if i wanted to do something extra or special or buy something then i saved my money up for them then. this last car i bought with my OWN money. yes it makes me appreciate things more but at the same time i still don't pay my own insurance. i don't because I TAKE 18 HOURS IN COLLEGE. my grandma would rather have me make good grades and not work then work and make shitty-mediocre grades. when i move with dh yes i will be taking less hours but i will also be on a quarter system so i have more opportunity to take the classes i need where as currently i am on the semester system.

Yes, I would jump off the bridge. My friends are generally educated people, and they must know that somethings wrong with it.

I'm speaking materially. If he wants a car, he can price it and work his little fingers to the bone trying to earn it. I'll help him every now and then, surely. He'll do chores for us around the house if it's too cold to mow yards or whatever. The biggest parties? Not a chance. That affects me and mommy. This is a different argument entirely. However, if he wants to have a party, he's going to work for it. He's going to do all the work for it. Getting the munchies, putting stuff up, party-safing the house, etc. Again, I'll help. I want my son to feel like a contributing factor in the house, not a prisoner in it.

Now, the drinking thing is something that's REALLY personal with me. I don't drink, save a rare occasion. But the logic in me argues the fact that at 18 years old, he can vote, fight and die for his beliefs. If he joins the military, even after I try like hell to talk him out of it, he will ALWAYS be welcome to drink in my house, regardless of his age. Where I'm from, a child no younger than 12 can drink beer (not liquor) in his parents house as long as a gaurdian is present. Sounds redneck, I know, but this makes sense to me. If he's doing it at home, I KNOW where he's going to pass out that night.

And that was a completely different topic :)
We'll discuss the whole drinking thing when he is of that age. And we'll do it as a team ;) :smooch