What in the world do you give a young man turning 12? In the past it has been really easy, Old navy shirts and jeans or shorts. A pair of shoes not from one of those stores in the mall that plays really loud music and the racks of clothes are so close together you almost tip them over when you push the stroller through them. I understand now why my Mother was uptight and angry in those stores. So am I! All he wants now is expensive skate clothes and shoes that I hate. I thought that shopping with teenage girls wasn't coming for a few years, I was wrong.
What he really wants is a cell phone. What is your thoughts on kids having cell phones? There are so many kids at the Elementary school that come out of school immediately take out their phone and call home. I am amazed! I wonder a lot about if phones were this accessible and affordable when I was 12 if my parents would have allowed it? When is the right age? It is kinda like the sex talk, everyone has a different reason for when they tell their kids. Everyone feels different about cell phones. Aaron and I just don't think that he needs his own phone. I think it starts all kinds of temptations that I don't want him to have. Kids now days text so much, and you know it is a lot easier to say inappropriate things when you are texting than speaking on the phone. But it is probably coming and it might be a really good way to punish him when he disobeys. What do you think?
17 comments:
You know, this is one of a million hard decisions you're going to have to make as a parent. It's never easy to know what the right thing to do is. Carter is a good kid but good kids get into trouble too on those darn phones. Good Luck. Make it a prayerful decision. Love you, Mom
Nothing to pray about. Just take Nancy Reagan's advice and JUST SAY NO. --Andrew
Kalin is older, but I love being able to get a hold of him whenever I need to. It is a GREAT way to punish him, too! (He doesn't have texting right now and he is being really good so he can get it back!)
My little brother has one, and he is twelve. My step-mom loves it because she can get ahold of him all the time. And if swimming or football gets out early he doesn't have to wait around forever. But he only has a few texts a month that he can't go over.. It is just more for emergencies, and to take away when he is in trouble :)
Jill, I love your templet.... where did you get it from? Let me know... the texting is a night mare. My friend got her son one and regrets it because of the texting. Taylor is on safety parol, and it would really help if he had one. I hate sitting around waiting for him. Also, when he is out playing I would love to be able to get a hold of him. We may do the phone that he can only call up to 5 people. Mom, Dad, home, grandma & grandpa, and my friend. Tough decision.. Good luck!
Check out my friend Emma's blog. she just got one for her kids. i know that she likes being able to get ahold of them. however i have noticed a huge change in their attitudes. When we are together as a family. The one boy s texting the whole time. it sucks. i have noticed a big change in her kids. Maybe ask her what she thinks. Her kids are 14, and 12. Both boys.
How many times in the last month have you said to yourself, "If only I could get hold of Carter and tell him..." I'm betting you can hold off a few more years on the cell phone. How about a trip alone with you or Aaron for his birthday?
I say he has a few more years before he really needs one. Maybe when he is in high shcool. I am all for limiting the amount of times they can text when you do get him a phone.
Tough subject but here's my two cents - I personally feel 12 years old is too young for a cell phone and like what everyone else has said, texting can open a whole new can of worms you don't want. I say wait a few years too.
Buy him the shoes that you hate and a new suit for him to pass the sacrament in - he'd love you for that :)
I say he gets one- and you might as well get 2! I want one so bad! I know that at the beginning of the phone life you are a fanatic, but still a phone! The 2nd best thing in the world! (i am the first case u forgot!) but yeah i say yes!
My sister just got a cell phone for her 16th! For me personally I cant offer any help. I'm not there yet and I dont know what I'm going to do when I get there!
I can't believe you are there already. I don't want to have to start making decisions like this. I'm not ready.
I know it's hard. Mikaela has been asking for a phone for a while now. She knows she is not getting one. My cousin's kids all got one in high school when they could pay for it themselves, but if they didn't answer or abused it, it was taken away. I like having them pay for it themselves. I just follow what my friend does with her kids. She gets to go through it first. Her 15 year old wants one and doesn't have one. In her words "it's just not necessary." I agree. Since you and Aaron are on the same page with this one. Count your blessings and tell him not now. It is too much temptation and trouble. And, if he needs to call home, he can borrow someone's cell phone like a coach. There are lots of other ways to punish. We didn't have phones as kids and it all worked out! Good luck. Go with your gut feelings and pray like your mom advised.
There are some perks- think of if there was an emergency at school- he could call you, you could get a hold of him whenever you want- if he answers! Just don't get texting on the phone- it's not a requirement and then there are no worries on it. But what do I know- I my oldest is 8 and won't get one until she's 40!
Tough call. Carter is a good kid, but cell phones are trouble. Somehow we made it all those years at school without them....
Let me just share with you a story I heard on the news tonight. A Houston middle school caught girls taking pictures of other girls going to the restroom or nude at gym and sending them to other kids' phones. All phones have cameras on them now. Lance is in the same spot and we have been going back and forth until I saw that story tonight.
Well I don't have kids that age, but once you and Aaron have discussed it, that's what you should go with. "Not this year." Also, you have raised him so far to make righteous choices. So you're going to have to extend him a little trust. When he grows up, that will be all you can do.
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