Blah Blah Blah, Cell Phone, Blah Blah

I don't get it.

DQ came home on day last week and said, "mom, I need to find some friends who don't talk about their CELL PHONE all day long!"

Yeah, well...allrighty then.

I mean wouldn't that be annoying?

Me--Do you talk about dance all day?
DQ--No, only if they ask me. I want my own phone.
Me--Well that ain't (yes i said ain't) happening, so either listen to them or find some other girls to hang around with.
DQ--Their phones are cool.
Me--Big whoop.

I'm sure these 9-10 year olds are proud of their blinged out new camera/iphone/does-their-homework-for-them phones, but I frankly think it's ridiculous.

Apparently the rule they instilled at school is that they can bring them, but they have to house them in the office all day until the bell rings. So what's the point?

I understand DQ's close friend has one...her parents are seperating and it's to communicate between them during mom or dad's week. Another friend has one...well because she's a latchkey kid and her parents work until 5 everyday. There is plenty I don't agree with in that situation, but it's not my business.

But the other girls just have them for fun. Because they asked for one. Because they're spoiled? Probably.

What do our little ones have to look forward to if they have their own Ipods, camera phones, laptop computers, and everything else under the sun at 9 and 10 years old! Where is the line drawn?

Driving age moved to 13? Drinking age to 18?

Remember when the reply to the "I'm bored" dilemma was "use your imagination" or "go in the backyard and play" NOT "go text a friend" or "go play Pacman on your DS."

I feel old.

66 supporters in group:

  1. Pam said...

    there was so much to keep us occupied back in the day. we could be outside w/o a care in the world for the most part.

    kids nowadays think all those gadgets are their 'right' when they should be told it's a privilege. i see teens w an iphone. heck, i don't even have an iphone!

    all my kids do have cell phones, but we don't buy fancy ones. we get whatever the cell co offers for free and we have a family plan. they have phones for us to communicate when they're outside, at a friends, or at their activities. we monitor their usage. they cannot use email or internet on them either. i think kids w cell phones are o.k., but there has to be guidelines and a reason to warrant one. not just because they 'want' one.

    our two oldest here at home have computers...mine and stinky's old ones. we gave it to them for their bdays to do school work, reports, etc. o.k., so they use it for other things, too LOL the youngest keeps wanting one just because the other two have them (she's 9). she should be grateful she got a cell phone already!

    now the whole latchkey kid at age 9/10 is a diff story. it's one thing when you leave them at home when they're 13 and it's LEGAL to do so, but that gets me. i don't think i could even do the latchkey thing to my kids even if they were almost out of high school!

    my ex is a lot like these kids...always wants the newest latest gadget. he just got an iphone and told our girls that. guess what they wish they had now? but he's ALWAYS been like that. luckily, i have some influence! :)

  2. ugagirl30 said...

    I just got a phone last weekend for ME. My 8 yo son was with me and begged, absolutely begged, for me to get him one too. But he is so totally irresponsible. He would probably lose it the same day and he has NO ONE to call. I agree--ri.dic.u.lous.

  3. A Christian Mom said...

    So far, I haven't heard "I want a cell phone." I guess not to many 1st graders have one? But even if the other kids did have one, mine wouldn't. It's crazy how times have changed. :o(

  4. Jeanna said...

    I have to admit. I caved and my 13 yr old has a cell phone. He's limited on use and I'll admit, it makes it so easy to communicate with him when he's in the neighborhood playing. A simple text that dinner is ready.

    And my response to "I'm bored" is go clean your room. He's out of my sight within seconds.

  5. Brittany said...

    I hear you! I agree, when I see my fiends kids that age with phones, I find it ridiculous!

  6. Amy said...

    My girls have a little friend who was 8 years old when she got a cell phone. Simply ridiculous! My kids talk about getting one all the time, I tell them when you get a job you can have anything you feel like paying for! :D

  7. Anonymous said...

    Yes, it is quite ridiculous-
    My 12 year old wants a laptop- Yeah right!

  8. Amanda @ notsoextraordinary said...

    dude, i remember when "i'm bored" landed me with a toilet to clean!

    i also completely disagree with giving kids phones, ds's, ipods etc... they don't have an accurate perception of value, therefore they don't treat it as though it cost a hundred or more! and that's why they get lost, sent through the washer, swam with etc...

    it's ridiculous.

  9. Anonymous said...

    I promised my 14 yr old that he can have a cell phone the very minute they come up with the technology that lets them wire it directly into his brain, so he can bypass all this silly "talking and texting" stuff. Amateurs. Strangely, he has stopped asking...

  10. Heather said...

    I could not agree more. My oldest is only five and a lot of her friends have their own video game systems that they take everywhere. The cell phone thing baffles me. I don't get it.

  11. Lindsay said...

    That is crazy that so many young kids have cell phones. I could understand in some circumstances.. but not many! Yikes.. I don't look forward to when Sammy asks me for one!

  12. Susan said...

    The whole cell phone thing you used to drive me crazy when I was teaching and I taught....fourth grade.
    I would often hear, "I need to use my cell phone to call my mom and tell her I have chorus after school today." I don't think so. You walk right over to the classroom phone and dial her number like a normal elementary student and stop trying to show off...ugh! Why do parents want their babies to grow up so fast? Don't the realize other more adult behaviors (not good ones) and activities may follow.

  13. Tyne said...

    I love it. Amen sista! I think it is so funny that some of our neighbor kids (10) have iPhones, and they are on govt. aid... but I will keep chatting on my 4 year old cell phone and budget for groceries. Lame. I want a new iPhone.

  14. Jenny said...

    *ahem* After meeting with my defense attorney, my reply is "We deemed it necessary for Chloe to be able to call us now that she will be partaking in after-school activites. Additionally, her phone is not blinged out nor does her homework for her, rather she has the phone that was free with adding a line to our existing plan." :)

  15. Ranch Girl said...

    Yup, that's why we're friends! You and I think alike - I do not understand the whole 9 and 10 year old kids having cell phones and all that other stuff! Luckily my boy has no desire to have a cell phone! And, having to check it in at the office?! Would hate to be the secretaries at your school!

  16. Sue Wilkey said...

    I told my 11 y.o she could get a cell phone for middle school (tomorrow). All she does all day long is text her best friend. It is beyond annoying. Put it off as long as possible!!!!!!!!!

  17. Cheryl Lage said...

    No cels for our kids either, 'til college at the earliest (and then, they pay for 'em!)...completely and totally unnecessary to our view.

    Actually, I'd be all for moving the driving age to 18... ;) (I wink, but I kid not...)

    Yesterday, teens were texting in church. I'm DONE with that idea. (Now I was known to pass a bulletin scrawled note or two, but that involved actually having pew position next to a friend...not so bad.) Balcony to altar area, or congregation to Starbucks, NOPE!

    Wow, I'd better stop...

    Could've left it at a simple, "Amen!"

  18. Tiffany said...

    I just bought my first laptop this week. And all I had when I was a kid were animals. I too used my imagination or read books. Yea I was a bookworm. I agree with the kids are spoiled nowadays.

  19. Shelley said...

    I agree 100%. It really didn't hurt us at all to go play in the yard or use our imagination.

    It's hard for my children to understand why I won't give them a cell phone/lap top/etc. when all around us, the parents of other children are just handing these things out like candy.

    I don't know and I try not to be judgemental of those parents, but what are they trying to make up for?

    Great post.

  20. Jo-Jo said...

    I feel you on this! My god daughter, who just turned 7, got a laptop and printer for her birthday. This is only because she already has two IPODs and a cell phone and frankly my list could go on and on. I think this is crazy...my kids are happy with 98 cent matchbox cars. At least they are for now....God help me when they arn't.

  21. Unknown said...

    I can see why some kids should have them...but some just really don't need to have one more electronic item to "play" with. We actually just picked up one for DS yesterday...The reason is that he finally has something to do!! LOL...between Cross Country practice, and Boy scouts, sometimes he needs to get a hold of me...and sometimes I need to get a hold of him...it's about stretching the cord a little more...just not cutting it completely!

  22. Carol said...

    My sentiments exactly! Until we got into many situations involving after-school activities for which communicating location/pick-ups became an issue. The free phone when we added to our existing family plan was way worth it.

    If I had my 'druthers, there would simply be no cell phones. Period. For anyone.

    Which is just one more reason nobody will let me rule the world.

  23. Ali said...

    It makes me wonder if our grandchildren will be carrying laptops to Kindergarten!

  24. junglemama said...

    Even I do not have a cell phone. I firmly believe that it is not our job to keep our kids entertained. :)

  25. Leah said...

    Oh boy do I agree with you! My kids are only 1 and 4 so I have a long way off, but I don't see the need for a cell phone until high school. My husband thinks 7th or 8th grade so I'm sure we'll be revisiting it then, but seriously, they don't need one unless they are driving because if they aren't driving...I'm driving them you know?

    As for ipods...I am ok with a kid having an ipod shuffle...they can't really break that. But a regular ipod, they can break that in about 10 seconds flat.

    And don't even get me started on laptops. But then again I am a person that believes that children do not need a computer in their rooms and they do not need, nor will any child of mine, have a tv in their room until they are in college. But by that time, I hope they go away to college. I think living in a dorm is a good thing.

  26. Tenakim said...

    My daughter's best friend has an iphone- I CAN'T AFFORD AN IPHONE!!! It all pisses me off. I just tell her I don't want her to get brain cancer- that shuts her up for a while--- btw- you have to get people to vote for you for hot blogger calendar- you've got the audience -get them over there to vote! I want one of my friends to be there!!!

  27. Kimberly said...

    Our 10 year old son keeps asking for a cell phone because some of his friends have them and I keep telling him NO WAY! There's no need for it. Where is my 10 year od going to be where I don't know where that he's there? My sister-in-law gave her 6 year old a cell phone!!! SIX! Crazy if you ask me.
    http://spiceworld.us

  28. jill jill bo bill said...

    Amen and Amen. And yeah, my 13 and 12 yr old have one that is a step above the firefly so they can only call mom and dad and their sibs. So they just pretend to be talking on it when we go in public. It's such a peer pressure thing.

  29. Kristin said...

    My son has a friend who has a cell. He is only 6 years old. Who could he possibly need to call?

  30. Unknown said...

    Hi Jen! Visiting from MBC.

    Ugh! I just typed a long comment and page couldn't be displayed. Hate that.

    Short of it was...I fully agree with you on this. NO cell phones in our house...teen has been harrassing me for years. Told her she could get one when she moves out. LOL

    My mother used those comments to my boredom. I use them now too. My favorite though is "Clean your room". That sends them off to find all kinds of things to do...except clean their room.

  31. Jamey said...

    I totally agree with you! Crazy kids! BTW I have an award for you, come get it on my blog!

  32. Rebecca said...

    Urgh I am right there with you on the cell phone deal for kids.

    Jarod, at the ripe old age of 11.5, is desperate for a cell phone....cause all his friends have one you know.
    I told him I don't give a shit if all his friends have them cause he is NEVER getting one!
    I told him when he can pay for his own phone THEN he can get one...and not before.

    He only just got an ipod shuffle because my mother brought him one, he has been wanting one of these for about a year too and I said no...of course Grandma got him one lickety split...much to my disapproval.

    I told him when he turns 16 he will be getting a part time job, and once he starts getting paid he will be paying me *RENT*!
    It will only be like $10 a month, but he needs to learn the value of money, and beleive me that is the best way to do it!
    My parents made me pay *rent* when I had a job at 16 on the weekends as a checkout chick (remember when you actually had to do something besides slide the stuff over a scanner lol), it really taught me the value of money.

    As for drinking at age 18, that is actually the drinking age for the rest of the world! lol
    USA is the only country (maybe Canada too) that has it set at 21, so IMO 18 is a good age to be legally responsibly for drinking.
    If you are considered legal to vote, drive and buy cigarettes you should be able to drink too no?? ;)

    I remember when I was a kid we did not even get a color TV until I was like 8 y/o, and that was a big deal!
    I remember getting a super basic TV tennis game a couple years later for Christmas...I was stoked to get something so exciting and cool...nowdays kids would laugh at such a basic TV game. lol

    Ahhh to be young again. :P

  33. Susiewearsthepants said...

    Keri has a cell phone, but it's not for fun. She is on the go all the time and I like being able to reach her easily. Like Ciara, my kids get whatever is free. No email or games or any of that crap. My kids are not allowed to take their phones to school. I am not going to replace them if they get lost....Iphones, forget it! No one in my house has one of those.

  34. Clare said...

    this is just crazy, I am nervous for bradley to grow up! I think you are right to stand your ground on this one. i can see using one just to have when she isn't with you to call home and stuff, but to talk to friends on or to text message is just too much!!!

  35. Anonymous said...

    I can only imagine what my little one will want in 10 years. By then I will not be a dinosaur but bones.

  36. Anonymous said...

    My 16 and 11 yr. olds have Ipods and cell phones. They both use the Ipods frequently and hardly ever use the phones.

    We got the 16 yr. old an Ipod for Christmas when he was 14. That was the same year the 11 yr. old got his (9 at the time). He lost it when we moved 10 months later (thinks the movers took it or he accidently threw it out in packing paper) and had to pay his own money to replace it.

    Neither phone has text or internet abilities. Both phones were free with the family plan. The ONLY reason we got the 11 yr. old the phone was for contact when he was out: i.e. staying late at school for last minute rehearsals, at a friends house so he can be called to come home, etc.

    They're both very responsible with the phones and except for the one loss, the Ipods too.

    My 7 yr. old has a Shuffle. She's perfectly content with that and has no interest in needing anything newer. Until she starts going places where I don't take her (about another 5-6 years), she'll not have need for a cell phone either. :)

  37. Ann Harrison said...

    Are you going to do it? Will she get a cell phone? (I'm betting 'no'.)
    You are NOT old!!!
    It's just that technology is helping our kids grow up too fast.
    (Sometimes I just want to go live in a cabin away from all the craziness. Then maybe let the girls out when their 21, no 23, no...)

  38. Anonymous said...

    My 10yr old wants a cell phone too... but she's no where that she'd need one... I mean she's either at home where she can use the home phone or she's at school... It's not like I'm letting her go to the mall and she needs to call from there... seriously.

    Anyways we gave her the wife's old phone after it had been deactivated...

    She wasn't amused.

  39. Anonymous said...

    I so agree with you.

    I thought we were being super cool great 'rents (he he he) getting the girls a phone to share. A kids phone with only five buttons on it and we pre program the numbers they can call. Myself, hubby, home, their mom and then 911. It can recieve calls from anyone and has a gps built in so we could track them if needed, oh and a clock which is the feature most used.... they were excited for about three minutes... and now all they talk about is getting a real phone..... I shake my head... I also feel old!!!

  40. Pink Lemonade Liz said...

    Can you believe my 6.5 year old asked for one?.. and and iPod?? Puhleeeezz!

    I didn't even get an iPod until a couple years ago! So now she's "saving up" for one (and not just a cheap one, she wants the iTouch!)... once again.. Puhleeezz!

    She carries my old cellphone (no battery, no chip, just dead phone) around with her and pretends to talk on it, like she's Sharpay or something!

    Peer Pressure - only more to look forward to, I guess!

  41. Unknown said...

    PS Left you something on my blog...

  42. Sarah McBride said...

    cell phones are of the devil, I am convinced.
    I have one for emergencies and it drives me NUTS to see kids using them ALL THE TIME.
    good for you for sticking to your guns!

  43. hippos toes said...

    I agree completely with everything you said Jen. My little guy is only 1 1/2, I can only imagine what it will be like then!! UGH. Stick to your guns!! It is ridiculous!!

  44. Insane Mama said...

    I am SO WITH YOU! Technology has ruined our kids. My 11 year old has a basic lamo phone that she only uses to call me, for emergencies. My 16 has an IPOD and basic phone but she bought them herself, and pays for her own texting. My son could give a crap about any of it!
    Great post

  45. Our Crooked Tree said...

    I could not agree more. I think there are appropriate times for kids to have cell phones but I think that it usually means a lack of parent involvement. Of course, I can judge because I am currently a SAHM with a 3yo and 1.5 yo so they aren't asking for them yet.

  46. Debbie said...

    Preach it SISTER! Too much, too soon, no imagination...like you said, What's next???

    BTW, I am getting ready to pick the winner of the gift card on the BATW giveaway and wanted to let you know that you are in for two entries.

  47. Anonymous said...

    My twelve year old wants a cell phone, mp3 player and camera for christmas. I asked him, "Do I look like I work at Best Buy?" I heard our state is thinking of lowering drinking age to 18 because thats the age of voting and smoking. I think they should just raise the age to 21 for voting and smoking instead!!

  48. Mrs4444 said...

    My kids (13 and 16) have phones because I wanted them to (for my convenience). They can only text (and have to pay the $10 per phone to do so) and may not use my minutes. I love having them, because it makes it easier to arrange for rides from school events, etc. Another reason I wanted Kendall to have a phone is how bitchy middle school girls can be. I never want her to be at a sleepover at which she feels uncomfortable and wants to leave but doesn't want to ask to use the phone (this way, she can just go to the bathroom or something and call me). It's never been an issue, and I hope it doesn't become one, but I just want her to be able to reach us if she's ever in a bind and needs help (at a sleepover, the mall, a movie, whatever.) Your daughter's still young, and I agree that 10 is crazy young for a phone!

  49. Marla said...

    jen it is a wonder we didn't die of boredom... imagine only have cute boys on record albums to dream about... or talking to your friends... writing letters...

  50. Belle (from Life of a...) said...

    Our kids each got a phone when they started to drive. Before then, if they were at a movie or ball game with a group then we'd let them take one of ours. They thought we were the MOST unreasonable parents on the planet but know what...they survived!

  51. Belle (from Life of a...) said...

    Our kids each got a phone when they started to drive. Before then, if they were at a movie or ball game with a group then we'd let them take one of ours. They thought we were the MOST unreasonable parents on the planet but know what...they survived!

  52. Jenni said...

    My 8 year old wants a cellphone, too. Why? Who is he going to call? Me? I think I am all set with that! LOL!

  53. Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

    Ugh, 10-year-olds with cell phones--it's just wrong! My stepson can't unglue himself from the Nintendo DS and it drives me crazy! How did we get by as kids without all this technology? Oh yeah, our IMAGINATIONS!

  54. Lisa said...

    Good for you! She doesn't NEED a phone. I'm proud of you for sticking to your guns & helping her stay a little girl. They grow up too fast as it is!

  55. Wendi said...

    Amen!
    My 12 year old just started middle school out of town today.
    I said no cell phone until you are 16.
    I. caved.
    But only because of the distance...and well... I have no backbone.
    Let the texting commence!

  56. Elizabeth Channel said...

    Wow...with an 8-year-old I guess this stuff is around the corner. Yipes!

  57. Anonymous said...

    I so know where you are coming from on this one. I too am one of the lone parents ou there that has not given my kids a cell phone, DS, or a Wii (although, I have to cop to an iPod nano and an iPod shuffle for X-mas last year(which they are not allowed to bring to school.) Frankly, I don't get it either. And it is so hard to get the constant "why can't I have one. Everyone else does!" To which I LOVINGLY reply (or not) "too bad, so sad!"

  58. Zip n Tizzy said...

    I absolutely agree, and it looks like a lot of others do too. What I don't understand is what happened to make us so overindulgent with our kids. It's really scary and I'm afraid to see what the longterm consequences will be.

  59. Anonymous said...

    Diva's birthday is this week and she sooooo thought she was getting a cellphone. She thought wrong. I do not feel that a 9 year old needs to be that connected. Several of her single parent friends have them. She will have to wait.

  60. Ann(ie) said...

    That drinking at 18 think scares the poo outta me. And driving earlier does, too. When I think back of me on the road at 16 I SHUDDER!!! Good post, darlin.

  61. flickrlovr said...

    Great post Jen!

    I didn't get a cell phone until I was about 14-15 I think. A) because my parents didn't really let me go anywhere by myself before then, and B) because I didn't NEED one! I grew up without TV, nurtured in a school environment (in 1st grade, then homeschooling) which forced me to use my imagination instead of simply stay 'mindless and connected' to TV or iPods or computers. We didn't get a VCR until I was 12-ish, and even then, it was only a dedicated VCR, no cable or anything. We still don't have any channels. We have a DVD player and VCR, but that's it. I watch my TV shows online or at friend's houses, and that's plenty. I know I could easily veg out in front of it all day, given the chance.

    I do have (and love) an iPod and a laptop. I only got an iPod 2-3 years ago (as a gift, then bought myself a newer version last year), and the laptop was a gift from my brother for my 18th birthday. I unfortunately broke it in July, so had to buy a new one (I paid for 1/2, Dad paid for 1/2) and I do use it a lot for school-especially now that I'm taking some online classes.

    But in all seriousness, a ton of the kids I babysit are totally glued to electronics (iPods for a 5yr old, "baby laptops," tuned into the TV all the time)...it's so sad! I think that parents definitely overindulge their kids in the area of electronics (cell phones, iPods, laptops in particular) and I'm glad I'm not the only one. I think that these things should be earned and acquired as kids get older. I certainly am no worse for wear for not having a cell phone at 9. Any parent that says they get their 8-9year old a cell phone so they can 'text and fit in with their friends' is just ridiculous. Kids aren't meant to be little adults! Let them be kids.

    (Sorry to babble, this is just a topic that really interests me and is something I'm passionate about too ;)

  62. OHmommy said...

    I know. I know.

    I agree with you. What WILL they have to look forward to.

  63. TUTU Monkey said...

    Oh my gosh I am jumping up and down ....I Know.....This is CRAZY~~~!!!

  64. Jill said...

    Cell phones at school? Seriously? What the? Oh I am not looking forward to this stuff...

  65. kiddlebug said...

    I remember the days when we used a quarter if we had to make a call. I still do! (except it costs more now)

  66. Regina Bertrand said...

    LOL, I totally agree! I have 2 girls and they are 4 & 5 and already know the speed dial numbers. I would catch them on the phone and ask them who are they talking to and why. I am bored. Well guys, I can give you plenty to do. But until then go play outside!

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