To the parents of teens...I am fed up with you!!

[The Mystery Machine]

Why does a 12 year old need a regular cell phone? Why does any teen who doesn't drive yet need a cell phone?

Because she babysits her sister, has afterschool activities, tutoring, and when she goes out I want her to have a phone for safety.
It also comes in handy when we go shopping at the mall or anywhere actually. She got one at 12 and is 15 now.
The rules and boundaries have been set up and the cell phone is certainly vital to keeping in touch.

It is a useful tool for me to have our family run smoothly. I love it!!!

 

[L107ANGEL]

DD is 13 and has all but the computer in her room. Guess I am lazy

Have a great thread!

 

[DVCLiz]

You posted while I was typing. Now that I see you are serious, I think you are doing a little pot-stirring. Where is DVCLiz with her trolldar when you need her?

Sorry, I was busy feeding my sick-home-from-school daughter a fast food lunch while she watches TV in bed, before going to her room to play on her computer and check how many minutes she has left on her cell phone....

 

[poohandwendy]

What? No high speed internet connection? What a shame!

LOL, yeah...my kids require a high speed connection. My 12 yo simply cannot offer web cam service on her porn site without it.

 

[RitaZ.]

LOL, yeah...my kids require a high speed connection. My 12 yo simply cannot offer web cam service on her porn site without it.

You know, it's not the same without it.

 

[chris1gill]

DisTeach1, I have NO idea WHY parents put TV's & Computer's in their kids room's... IMHO anything my kid is watching, they can watch in the family room... that is why it is called the FAMILY room. I give them wide latitude in their child appropriate TV show's... As for computer's, no kid needs a computer that's hooked up to the internet in their bedrooms... ours is in the family room as well!

Anyhow, I am forever being asked for the TV & the cell phone by my eleven year old.... My answer? JUST SAY NO!!!

 

[Desnik]

isyne4u


So now just because my kids have tv's and computers mean we don't have family time and "play" together? We play board games, enjoy music together and dancing around the house, play outside, go for walks, read books, etc....My kids eat healthy, aren't over weight, and are active kids.

Why do you think that is not the case for kids with tv's?

 

[Cantw8]

Well, yes, it is judgemental. But, everyone judges at some point in their lives, and this is a hot button with me. So, take it or leave it. I stand firm on what I think of these issues. Now, with the weather we are having, my connection is as slow as molasses, I have taxes to do, and a son that I'm actually going to play a board game with! Remember those...Board games??

Wow, after listening to you rant like a lunatic, it's very easy to see why your son wants to escape to his room with a TV and computer

 

[beckmrk04]

OMG, this is so ridiculous.

So, the OP's son is mad at her, and in turn, it is the fault of everyone else. Classic.

 

[Wishing on a star]

OMG... High speed porn...

You guys are toooo hilarious!!!

I'm gonna need to replace my keyboard now.... Oh, and my internet cam too!!!!

 

[rascalmom]

Every family has different values, priorities, abilities and parenting methods. What you seem to want is for all of us the share yours so that you have an easier time raising your child. Could that be considered lazy?

You do what works for you, I'll do what works for me.

Both of my daughters are involved in many activities & they are not always where they could get to a phone. My oldest drives & my family felt it best for her to be able to reach us.

Younger dd also has a cell phone - mostly to reach us after rehearsals. We did look into the limited cell phone type service for her, but with our family plan it was much less expensive to get her a regular cell phone. Certainly not every plan would work out that way, but it does for us.

I've noticed that many of the kids that were among the first to have cell phone had divorced parents. Certainly there could be greater communication needs in those situations. Generalizing that no 10 year old needs one is a pretty bold statement.

My older dd does have her own lap top. There are other ways to monitor internet use than being in the room with the child. My dd earned her computer - she has straight A's with mostly AP classes in a large, tough high school. I may be lazy, but she is certainly not & she uses her computer appropriately & for good use.

She also has a TV - it has been in her room for about 4 years & the only time she ever uses it is when she has a friend over spending the night & they want to watch a movie together. It has never even been hooked up to cable - her choice. She prefers to watch the limited amount of tv she views with us. (Because that tv gets so little use, younger dd does not have/ask for a tv).

Are you really angry at all of us other teen parents, or your child? Comparing our permissiveness (?) and complaining could be construed similarly to your child comparing his peers' "fortunes" and complaining. I try to teach my girls the values that are important to our family, rather that rant at other people for not doing it my way.

 

[poohandwendy]

Just getting in another post before this bad boy gets locked up....

 

[Michie]

Well, yes, it is judgemental. But, everyone judges at some point in their lives, and this is a hot button with me. So, take it or leave it. I stand firm on what I think of these issues. Now, with the weather we are having, my connection is as slow as molasses, I have taxes to do, and a son that I'm actually going to play a board game with! Remember those...Board games??

Is this the son who wants the cell phone etc? Why is he at home during the day? Or is it another son?

 

[debster812]

OK--someone help me resolve this quandry.

DS is 8 (almost 9). He does NOT have a TV or computer in his room. He DOES have a Gameboy Advance, Portable DVD player, and PS2. Now, here's the quandry:

What kind of parent am I to allow a Portable DVD player, and GBA to be used in his room??????? The PS2 is on the main TV in the family room.

Oh, I also have to add, that the DVD player and the GBA were purchased by my mom, who happens to be a retired schoolteacher Do you see my quandry?

lol, I started reading this thread, and was outraged. Now it's getting funny.....

 

[poohandwendy]

OK--someone help me resolve this quandry.

DS is 8 (almost 9). He does NOT have a TV or computer in his room. He DOES have a Gameboy Advance, Portable DVD player, and PS2. Now, here's the quandry:

What kind of parent am I to allow a Portable DVD player, and GBA to be used in his room??????? The PS2 is on the main TV in the family room.

Oh, I also have to add, that the DVD player and the GBA were purchased by my mom, who happens to be a retired schoolteacher Do you see my quandry?

lol, I started reading this thread, and was outraged. Now it's getting funny.....

It's a darned good thing she retired or we would be forced to require her immediate resignation/ termination. What kind of example are you both setting?!? Oh, the humanity....

 

[foolishmortal]

Just getting in another post before this bad boy gets locked up....

How LAZY of you to get a free post in this thread.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey, they won't lock this one up just yet... Not if they are having as much fun with it as we are!!!

 

[DaisyD]

Geez, my now 17 y/o has had his own TV in his room since he was 7. He now has TIVO and his own cablebox. He has different game systems along with a very nice stereo. He has had his own computer in his room since he was 12. He had had a cellphone since he was 14. He also minds his own business. Just because you don't want to buy your child any of these is not my problem. It's yours.

 

[isyne4u]

OK--someone help me resolve this quandry.

DS is 8 (almost 9). He does NOT have a TV or computer in his room. He DOES have a Gameboy Advance, Portable DVD player, and PS2. Now, here's the quandry:

What kind of parent am I to allow a Portable DVD player, and GBA to be used in his room??????? The PS2 is on the main TV in the family room.

Oh, I also have to add, that the DVD player and the GBA were purchased by my mom, who happens to be a retired schoolteacher Do you see my quandry?

lol, I started reading this thread, and was outraged. Now it's getting funny.....

Now you have me thinking (i'm a teacher so don't hate me!) am I lazy parent for buying a portable dvd player for the car? I bought it so I didn't have to drink while I drove my kids to Natural Bridge this weekend.

but hey my kids don't have tvs or computers (heck they aren't allowed to touch MY computer!!)

tara

 

[mickeyboat]

Sorry, I was busy feeding my sick-home-from-school daughter a fast food lunch while she watches TV in bed, before going to her room to play on her computer and check how many minutes she has left on her cell phone....

OK, then. Thanks for joining us. What is your trolldar telling you? Inquiring minds want to know.

Denae