So I got a text message

[MoniqueU]

From my 9 year old. My aunt bought my 7 year old, my 9 yearl old and my 12 year old Cell phones for Christmas.
I don't even know how to send a text message on my own phone and she figured it out on hers with no directions.
I don't know WHY my aunt bought my girls cell phones and my son 12 year old had one since he walks home sometimes. The girls think its the greatest thing since sliced bread. I would never in a million years have bought my girls cell phones so young.
On the plus side this is the same aunt I bought giant 6 ft tall lighted topiaries and she liked them!!

 

[anewvance]

7 and 9 are kinda odd to have cell phones, who exactly are they going to call? They are too young to be out alone to need cell phones to call home to check in. And she bought them the cell phones, now who is paying the monthly bill?

 

[barkley]

yeah-who's paying the bill? if it's one of those kind where there are prepaid minutes it seems like either (1) putting the parent on the spot to keep buying time, or (2) giving the kids a gift that will just get tossed in the trash when the minutes are gone. not a very thoughtful gift in my opinion (reminds me of some relatives who want to be the "holiday hero"-don't care about the consequences of their gift choice (the slurpee machine that goes straight to the garage along with the cotton candy machine, the living volcano, the drum set-they would have killed anyone who gave their kids these gifts).

 

[foolishmortal]

yeah-who's paying the bill? if it's one of those kind where there are prepaid minutes it seems like either (1) putting the parent on the spot to keep buying time, or (2) giving the kids a gift that will just get tossed in the trash when the minutes are gone. not a very thoughtful gift in my opinion (reminds me of some relatives who want to be the "holiday hero"-don't care about the consequences of their gift choice (the slurpee machine that goes straight to the garage along with the cotton candy machine, the living volcano, the drum set-they would have killed anyone who gave their kids these gifts).

Maybe the family is in a situation like myself. My wife and I have a huge amount of minutes we get a month but we hardly use them but we have Cingular so they carry over unused minutes. And it is only an extra few bucks a month to add another line to that account. Not exspensive or unthoughtful at all. My son is almost 10 and I will be getting him a phone for his 11th b-day, and all it will cost me as a couple of extra dollars a month.

And this way his minutes and usage come on MY bill so I can monitor what is going on. and for something around $7.00 you can get unlimited text so it's not like he is going to break me by having that either.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

she bought them the cell phones, now who is paying the monthly bill?

That's what I was thinking!
I gave 6th grade DD got one a few months ago because she home after school and she never uses it.

 

[MoniqueU]

No it is one of those pay as you go things. I am getting stuck buying more minutes after these are up. She gave each girl 30 bucks worth of talk time.
It says you have to pay on the account every 90 days.
My son has a phone on my account with sprint which doesnt cost me much at all.
I am not sure who they are going to call and you are right its not like they are out cruising by themselves and have the need.

It's one of those gifts that keeps on giving I guess. But I don't want to hurt my aunts feelings when she calls to talks to the girls and my son by saying I didn't appreciate the gift.

 

[barkley]

Maybe the family is in a situation like myself. My wife and I have a huge amount of minutes we get a month but we hardly use them but we have Cingular so they carry over unused minutes. And it is only an extra few bucks a month to add another line to that account. Not exspensive or unthoughtful at all. My son is almost 10 and I will be getting him a phone for his 11th b-day, and all it will cost me as a couple of extra dollars a month.

And this way his minutes and usage come on MY bill so I can monitor what is going on. and for something around $7.00 you can get unlimited text so it's not like he is going to break me by having that either.

yes, and thats fine because you are the parent and made the decision to do so. i just thinks it's less than thoughtful to put a parent in the position of putting out an unplanned expense each month. i think this type of gift should be discussed with the parent ahead of time to ensure that it is something they would even want their child to own (in my home it would be a complete waste of money-dd (11) goes to a school that bans all cells from campus and does not participate in any activities that i am not present for).

 

[foolishmortal]

yes, and thats fine because you are the parent and made the decision to do so. i just thinks it's less than thoughtful to put a parent in the position of putting out an unplanned expense each month. i think this type of gift should be discussed with the parent ahead of time to ensure that it is something they would even want their child to own (in my home it would be a complete waste of money-dd (11) goes to a school that bans all cells from campus and does not participate in any activities that i am not present for).

I do agree it should have been discussed with you before hand