My son's quest for a cell phone (long)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2006
My son's quest for a cell phone (long)
9
Thu, 01-31-2008 - 1:59pm

Okay, my oldest DS has been begging for a cell phone for almost a year. I really don't think he needs one right now. I work from home, so I can pick him and his brothers up from school every day and drop them off. His best friend lives around the corner, so he is never far from home. Lately he has been the "only" kid in the 5th grade without a cell phone (apparently he is very deprived, being the "only" kid in the 5th grade who is also without his own computer/TV/video game system in his room). The begging, whining, and pouting were really getting on my nerves. I told him this behavior didn't lead me to believe he was mature enough for a cell phone, so I guess he decided to try a different tactic...

Two nights ago, when I went to bed, DH's pillow and my pillow both had cell phone ads taped to them, as did the remote and the ceiling above our beds. Yesterday morning, ads were taped to the steering wheel of my car and the teapot. Last night his cell phone (my neighbors gave him one that they were selling at their garage sale, but its not activated) was on my bed. He had drawn a taped a sad face on it and next to it was a thought bubble saying "I wish I was activated, what if Danny has an emergency at school and needs me?". This morning, I sit down at my computer to work, and my screen saver is now rotating 3D letters that say "Get Danny a cell phone". I must admit, he's creative. And I told him this works much better at getting my attention than whining and pouting.

However, when he gets home from school today, his phone will be on his bed wearing a mad face and a message that says "Stop using me as a pawn in your evil schemes!!"

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2007
Thu, 01-31-2008 - 2:30pm

OMG, I choked on my water on the last line!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2003
Thu, 01-31-2008 - 3:26pm
OMGosh that's so funny.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Thu, 01-31-2008 - 5:52pm
very creative. I would have done something similar......... let me shoot some ideas your way.......does he clean his room? good place to start. Responsibility is a major part of having a cell. Keep in mind the bathroom, homework, grades better? reading more, taking care of the family pets if there are any.......i can go on. If you need any suggestions let me know. Sounds like your house is fun. take care.

Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Thu, 01-31-2008 - 11:15pm
Lol!

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

Avatar for ang2gals
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 7:45am

I'm somewhat of a mean mom so when dd started asking for a cell I told her I didn't even have one yet (which I didn't) so that stopped her for a while. Last Xmas DH got a cell plan so he gave her his old pay as u go cell phone. Now of course she bugs us she wants a Razr & texting plan....not happening this yr.


DH & I feel since she isn't in any after school activities she doesn't need it to call us to come pick her up. She can call us on the land line after she gets home so we don't see a need for one yet. (Also if we get her a cell then of course her younger sister wants one). So anyway, I must say ur strong willed to hold out on ur ds ;-) esp given his creative methods of begging lol.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 7:49am
Too funny. I love how they tell you that "all" the kids have something or are doing something. Yeah right. My DD does have one but as a single working mom its more for my peace of mind than her needs. If I was a SAHM she likely wouldn't have one yet. Dying to know how he reacted to your response.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-04-2006
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 10:05am

What he doesn't know is that DH and I have been talking about getting him a cell phone next year when he goes to middle school. His starting time is 45 minutes before the elementary school and he will get out later, so he will be walking to and from school. Also, there will be after school practices and meetings, etc. Since my youngest will start kindergarten next year, I might work from the office one or two days a week so I won't be home all the time.

We are working on the "responsibility and maturity" things. He recently got his own room (he used to share a room with my 5yo and the 7yo had his own room, but since the 7yo just started being afraid to sleep alone and my 10yo does need some privacy we switched them around last weekend). He needs to keep his room clean, do his chores, and keep up his grades. But, maturity wise, I told him I think this is a big step. Meaning that he gave up whining and pouting in favor of using humor to get his point across.

Yesterday he brought home two persuasive essays he had to write in school. They had to list three points to support their argument. One was on why they should not have assigned lockers (they were assigned either the pro or the con on that subject). The other was of their choice and his was..."Why I should have a cell phone". He got an A. I guess he convinced his teacher, too!!




Edited 2/1/2008 10:11 am ET by bergenmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Fri, 02-01-2008 - 1:48pm
how funny.........good for him on the A,.........future Lawyer on your hands?
at least he can put up a good debate.....lol

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Sun, 02-03-2008 - 9:48pm

OH my gosh that is too funny--and I agree, what a good way to do that without hte whining and pouting, LOL!


But in the end I agree with you--if there is no need for the phone then he doesn't need it.


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