As my children grow older, the challenge of finding appropriate gifts increases significantly. This dilemma often presents itself in two ways: A. They have a clear desire for “things,” but are uncertain about which specific items they want, or B. They are fixated on certain “things,” which I am absolutely unwilling to buy.
Today marks my eldest son’s 10th birthday, and after a hectic few weeks, I finally managed to get organized and shop for his presents. He recently communicated to his father (not directly to me) that he wants a cell phone for his birthday.
Excuse me? That’s not going to happen.
I don’t believe it’s unreasonable for all 10-year-olds to have a phone; however, my son, at this age, simply does not require one. I could understand if both his father and I worked outside the home, or if he frequently found himself alone at home or during sports practices, but that’s not the case.
Moreover, if he had friends nearby that he frequently visited by bike without parental supervision, I might reconsider, but that scenario doesn’t apply here either. Since I work from home, I am present when he is, and if we go out together, I am usually right there with him. He has access to various electronic devices already, and at this juncture in his life, a phone would only serve as a status symbol. If anyone in our household is going to have a status symbol, it will be my husband or myself.
We don’t own luxurious vehicles, a boat, or a vacation home. We don’t wear designer brands or fancy jewelry. I have no high-end clothing or accessories, and I’m completely fine with that. Having lived through many experiences, I recognize that material possessions don’t hold true value in life. It is my responsibility to impart these lessons to my children.
So, while I appreciate his enthusiasm for a phone, he will not be receiving one for his birthday. Better luck next year, kiddo!
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Summary
In conclusion, while some parents may choose to buy their young children cell phones, I firmly believe that my 10-year-old does not need one at this stage of his life. My focus is on instilling values over material possessions, and a phone would merely serve as a status symbol rather than a necessity.
Keyphrase: Why I Will Not Buy My 10-Year-Old a Cell Phone
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