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Here's a topic for discussion.

* Do your kids have cell phones?
* If they do, how old are they? (the kids, not the phones)
* Do you pay for them or do the kids?

To answer my questions:
* No.
* We have 4 kids- 3 are teens. They don't agree with our decision but have learned to live with it.
* When they go off to college they can get one with their own money.
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Nope, my kiddo is only 2. He does have one of those fake one though.. lol Wink

I had my first cell phone when I was 15 or 16.. It was back when I went skating a lot and the only time I used it was to call friends once and awhile, and also it was Easier for mom to call me and let me know if I needed to come home early or what not.

Back then they were a little more affordable, so I paid most of it myself, from working at the rink. Smiler

I do have one now, that is only used for emergency purposes. My husband carries it most the time, and we pay it ourselves. Big Grin


~Manda~
Two of our three kids have their own cellphones.

13 year old & 9 year old

13 year old has a phone, on our family plan with t-moblie, that we got him for his birthday. 9 year old has a Net 10 pay as you go phone that he got for Christmas. Although, he is responsible for saving his money for additional minutes which run approximately $30 for three hundred minutes and lasts for three months when activated.

We like the idea of them having their own phone because, especially with 13 year old, all the sports & activities and such, they call when practice is over with. It's worked out great for them and actually gives them a chance to show they can be responsible. 9 year old did leave his in the booth at Applebee's one night, and thankfully it was still there when my husband went back in to get it. We grounded him from it for a week after that. Plus, he also started the habit of calling me from the bathroom or playground at school, which was kinda cute to me. He'd just say "Hi, Mom. I love you." Then let me go. But the problem is, our 6 year old is bitter that she doens't have one. She's going to have to wait though.
Last edited by just saying
I have two children, a 14 year old and a 6 year old. The 14 year old has his own phone that he bought and he buys his own minutes. I also pay him in minutes when he does extra chores, etc around the house. The 6 year old wants one also but I don't feel it is necessary or that she is responsible enough for one at this time.
I have two kids, 10 and 6. Our ten year old received a phone when she was nine. It makes me more comfortable when she goes on trips, to a friends house, or other events where she is away from us. She can get in touch with me and I can get in touch with her. She doesn't have to ask to use someone else's phone.

Our six year old thinks she should have everything her sister has, but she isn't away from us as much so it really isn't necessary...yet.

For us, it is simply peace of mind. She started with the firefly from Cingular, which has only the mom and dad call button with other numbers programed in if parents want. Now she uses my old phone because she likes the camera feature. I monitor in/out calls VERY closely.
My daughter who is 22 and married now, got her cell phone when she graduated from high school. Now my 16 year old son thinks he is mistreated because he does not have one. He is getting one for his 17th birthday in June. (shhhh don't tell him). But, I think the cell phone decision should be based on the individual child's maturity and responsiblity level. The only person that can make that determination is a parent. (or adult being the parent). The cell phone issue SHOULD NOT be determined by peer pressure and/or guilt.

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