2006-07-22 08:27:23 · 18 answers · asked by Phyllis D 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
There is no logical reason any where on any planet as to why and 8yr old needs a cell phone. She's only 8! Who the heck is she gonna call and why can't she use the house phone? That's what it's there for.
I'm sure your daughter wants one because she sees everybody else in the world that has one and she just wants to be like everybody else. Understandable but she's not old enough to understand the ramifictions of having a cell phone. The added expense of the bill and charges for overages ect. She does'nt realize that mommy's got enough on her plate as far as bills go to take on one more bill.
Your ex however is a different story. Seeing as you say he's your ex the only conclution I can come to is that he bought it for your daughter after you two called it quits.......He did it to aggrivate you. He knew that if he gave it to your daughter she'd want it and beg you to allow her to keep it.
I'd really give that guy a piece of my mind and give him the phone back. You're young one is too young for a cell phone and you don't need the extra bills. That guy did that out of malice no matter what he says.
Give the phone back to your ex. Tell him you don't feel that it's an appropriate gift for an 6yr old. Tell him he's free to get her one again when she's old enough to pay the bill. Even if he says that he's going to pay the bill it's still not a good idea for her to have one. She's 8!
I'm sorry about what happened. I know how aggrivated and insulted you feel because he didn't consult you about it first. Just give him the phone back and tell him how you feel.
Best of luck to you and your little one, dealing with ex's are no fun.
2006-07-22 08:41:07 · answer #1 · answered by ilah23 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
That's a tricky one. I would also agree that an 8 year old may not be responsible enough to have a cell phone.
However lets be realistic here, we are living in a day and age where the old reliable payphone is nowhere to be found. I am in my 30's and when I was 8 my mother made sure I had a quarter to call home in case of an emergency. Can you imagine an emergency where you as an adult would need a payphone now? Would you want your 8 year old asking some stranger to use their's in an emergency? This is an opportunity to explain how she needs to be responsible enough to handle a cell phone and that she should not abuse it. You may see her having a cell phone as a blessing one day, say if we have another 9/11 or other emergency in your city (heaven forbid) wouldn't it relieve you to get that call from her cell phone telling you she's okay and just needs a ride home.
Yes I would be upset at your ex (un-less he's the father) a cell phone should be an item a parent gives to their child as they (the parent) may see a need for them to have it IE: needs to call you when soccer practice is over etc...This is where your parenting skills will be tested as you will need to monitor who your child is calling and who is calling your child. You should give explicit rules when the celly is to be used and who is to have the number and let it be no secret you will take it away without hesitation if it is ever abused. It could be a win win for you.
A] your daughter will always be a phone call away.
B] she will learn additional responsibilty.
I hope the situation works for the better for you.
2006-07-22 08:53:39 · answer #2 · answered by Ascoun 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An 8 year old does not need a cell phone! I'd give it back to my ex and tell him to get a life - from your avatar, I'm assuming your ex is a "he". The only reason I can think of why he would give your 8 year old her own phone is so that they can talk in private about what mommy is doing and that is wrong! I'd also let him know that, in the future, you would appreciate him discussing such gifts with you before going out and wasting his money on useless gadgets that you're just going to return. When two parents are involved in raising a child, it should be a mutual thing, how would he like it if you bought something for her that he didn't think she was ready for without discussing it with him first?
2006-07-22 08:37:24 · answer #3 · answered by gorfette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be no need for an 8 year old to have a cell phone under normal conditions, but really it doesn't matter what people say here, this is unfortuantely about you and your ex's relationship. Did he buy this for her so he could keep in touch? If he's the father, he will also want to keep in close contact with her. What reason did he give (although I agree he really should have checked with you first)?
I am currently going through potentially the same situation and I will be desperately missing my daughter and the only regular contact I wil have with her is via phone. She is older though so the age issue is slightly different.
You have my sympathy, this is not an easy situation or thing to resolve and I wish you both the very best.
2006-07-22 08:36:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope there is more to this than what you are willing to state here.
But... An eight year old doesn't "need" a cell phone, but if the child is close to the father and they want to keep in touch with a cell phone, I think thats great!!! My daughter, who is with me only part of the time, had one at 7. She only used it for calling me until she was about 13, and now calls friends sometime. She loved the fact she could call me anytime, kinda like a star trek button on her shirt. I can't understand why you would be furious, unless you are a control freak.
2006-07-22 08:46:16 · answer #5 · answered by pmiller7447 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is you ex Bill Gates? If not, he could be in for a horrifying surprise when he get a $300 phone bill for the month as kids that age through teen use it to chat and text friends and play games on it.
Not a good idea, unless it is one of those "Firefly" ones which you program them to be able to call Mom, Dad or an emergency number just to keep with them if they go to a friends house and might need it in the event of an emergency to contact you.
My 12 year old is wanting to do more things on his own so we bought him one that has pre-paid minutes just so he can contact him and was given very strict instructions that this is for that purpose only and not chatting with this friends or his favorite privileges.
2006-07-23 01:50:30 · answer #6 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
~*~ I have a 7 yr old son, he does not need a cell phone.. What was your ex thinking? Why does an 8 yr old need a cell phone for.. Unless, he wants to call her without having to talk to you.. ~*~
2006-07-22 08:32:05 · answer #7 · answered by Mexitaliana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an 8 year old has no need for a cell phone.
2006-07-22 08:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by cynthetiq 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know why anyone that young could need a cell phone so I would be furious too.
2006-07-22 08:32:16 · answer #9 · answered by Bennie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whaton earth does an 8-year-olds need a cell phone for? Isn't there a house phone?
2006-07-22 08:31:17 · answer #10 · answered by silvercomet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋