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There are certain stages of growing up that a parent can expect the inevitable begging, “Please mom, I NEED this…” Girls want to wear makeup in pre-adolescence. Sixteen year olds want cars. The list goes on.
But four year olds begging for cell phones?!?!
Yes – this world has gone mad or at least my little corner of it has.
Tonight my son started to beg, whine and plead for a cell phone – yes a real cell phone! The phone company was so kind as to even offer a perfect, kid-sized one in the flyer he showed me.
After only eight hours of sleep last night, and a very long day of activities, (church, a barbeque with friends and even buying his first new pair of roller blades,) my exhausted son collapsed in tears begging me for his own cell phone – as if he really thought I would give in to his ridiculous request. Oh – yes – did you catch that? We had just bought him a brand new – very spiffy – pair of roller blades that very afternoon. But how quickly the purchases fade in his mind and just a few hours later he is begging for a new toy.
My husband and I were slightly amused about this crazy tantrum – don’t worry – we hid our smiles. But we were also horrified. How could our son already be begging for a cell phone? Isn’t he a little young for that?
But more importantly – how could he be so preoccupied with getting more and more stuff?
Oh – you mean I have to answer that question? Well…hmm…ahhh…I suppose it isn’t entirely his fault. Not only is he a little spoiled, but I am a little spoiled as well. Oh – and – I guess I should add that I do the same thing to God too…
I am blessed yet I am constantly asking for more. He gives and then I want more – a bit of a pattern.
Yes, our society is contributing to our kids’ “buy more” belief systems. But I know I routinely slip into this kind of thinking – and not just with material stuff, but with everything. I am never satisfied really. I keep striving and asking for more.
My son’s tantrum was a good reminder for me.
So is my son getting a cell phone? Ya – I don’t think so!
Lauren says
We don’t have any phones other than cell in our home, with homeschooling the two younger kids, three phones works right now. Next year we’ll have two in high school and then we’ll have to add another phone. I am shocked that a 4 year-old would want a cell phone but I shouldn’t be because those marketing companies know how to make us think we need something, all of us.
Courtney says
Sorry I didn’t join in last weeks tackle it tuesday but will be back tomorrow:) Take Care!
Courtney
Joy says
I don’t think it will ever end!! We have bust lives ahead of us, trying to keep up with our little ones!!
Heather* says
A CELL PHONE?! Oh wow. My son is only 3 so I guess I have another year before he’s asking for cell phones. Thanks for the warning. He he
Diane says
Phew! I was worried for a moment!
However, I understand! My own 14 year old is car shopping (as I type) looking for just the right car that WE will buy for him to drive in 2 years! A little bit bigger than a cell phone…but the whine is the same–“Mom and Dad–puh-leeze! ”
Diane
Jae says
Too funny!! My lil guys all have play cell phones. So far, they’ve not asked for the real deal though! (Thank goodness!) Now I have your advice if this ever does come up for us. Thanks!! 🙂
mom2fur says
I think the earliest any kid should have a phone is when they are old enough to go anywhere on their own. Just be sure the phone is always turned on, and charged! Youve got a few years to go yet, but trust me, when you can call a teenager up to check on them, or make sure they’ll be home by curfew, it gives you a tremendous amount of peace of mind. I wish that emergency phone had been around when my daughter was younger! You know what I think, Janice? I think maybe Jackson is just a typical little boy who loves ‘gadgets.’ Is there anything smaller and more practical you can give him? How about an inexpensive set of walkie-talkies? And you know, there’s no law that says you simply can’t declare “we can’t afford that right now.” (I used to tell my kids things like “maybe for Christmas.” Most of the stuff was forgotten about in a day or two, anyway.)
Janice says
I agree that the kid’s phone that I showed is a great idea for older kids. They can’t dial a bunch of their friends – they just can use to contact parents and for an emergency.
Once Jackson is old enough to be on his own, then I will probably buy him something like that. But for now, he is always with a grown up.
Lisa says
I gave in to my oldest daughters desire for a cell phone when she was 15. It was a nextel with 500 outgoing minutes, all incomming calls, plus weekend and evenings were free. In exchange for babysitting we would pay her sixty dollar phone bill each month. The very first month her phone bill was over five hundred dollars! Needless to say we took the phone, and she had to work alot of hours to pay us back. She is now almost seventeen, she works at food lion and has recently gotten her own self a cell phone. She paid extra for unlimited text messages so that she will be sure not to run up the bill. Getting that first phone bill was a good lesson for my husband and me. We saw that she had no idea or concern about the bill she only saw that she had a phone and she was going to use it. Now the rule in our house is: If it invlolves a bill and you can’t get or pay for it on your own, then you don’t get it.
Sandra says
My seven year old asked for one, and we’re considering the one that you have up there, just because she walks to school and back alone and I think it would be great knowing that she can reach us anytime if needed.
But yeah, I think kids are so spoiled nowadays that they don’t appreciate what they have. Mine are the same, buy them something nice and within a few hours they are crying about something else they want.
Paula says
My five year old Curly Girl has already asked for a phone. I’ll probably give in when she’s about ten. I like the idea of knowing she can reach me at any minute. It’ll be one of those kids phones that can only dial three numbers. Aren’t you glad we have a direct line to our Heavenly Father? How awesome is that!!!
Mrs Blythe says
Hi I came via Princesses, Dogs & Chaos. This post made me giggle. My little 4 year old (soon to be 5) is becoming far too shopping savvy. She (and I have nothing to do with this ~ blush, opps little lie there) seems to be under the impression that if she is a good girl then she deserves a nice present as a reward. Hmmm, hoist by my own petard as Shakespeare would say. Lol.