So my daughter is on her 5th or 6th cell phone. they either stop working, or she's lost them...
she needs them to call us, or to text.
I'm willing to get her an unlimited text plan but....
the phones that come with the plan are not cool
Dad, don't you know it's a status thing?
well dear, I never had a cell phone when I was your age, and you have more than kids in haiti do..

What kind of phone/cell phone service do your kids have?

She is only getting more mature with time, so I wouldn't hold all those times she lost the phones over her head.

If she got a phone she truly adored, she would likely take very good care of it.

See when I was growin' up (lawd http://prince.org/msg/100/332768 ) it wasn't about cell phones yet for status. At least clothes and sneakers needed to be updated as I grew out of them but I also wanted what I wanted.

Really expensive ones come with a 3 year contract. How do you get around that when the latest gadgets are updated more frequently?

you're kind ~ my kids knew/know ...they loos the phone THEY pay to replace it

They have overuse charges ...THEY pay


THEY pay for the unlimited Text plan ~ every month and have/will until they choose to get their OWN plan

i'd say im gonna put my status foot in yo ass. no phone till you learn how to not lose it simple.

IAintTheOne said:

I made the rule you lose it YOU replace it before even buying them their 1st ~ they have not lost one

Mach said:

that to but not before place foot in ass 1st

BlackAdder7 said:

How old is she ?

Same goes for my kids, they pay to replace, regardless of what happens to it. They also do "permanent chores" in place of "paying" for the cell phone bill. I added them to my plan (it was cheaper and more easy to do than pre-paid phones, etc.) As long as they complete the chores, then I don't take the phone away, they have the understanding that I should not have to ask or remind them to do the chore, they don't have to remind me to pay the bill! So, if I have to ask for stuff to be done, or they don't do it, I take the phones away. Only had to do it once. My son accidentally jumped into the pool with his phone and ruined it. He thought I would just replace it, I told him sure, give me the $50 co-pay and I will, he wouldn't pony up the money, so I offered him one of my old cell phones (he hated it and said no, cuz it was "ancient") but eventually caved and took the old phone until he earned enough to replace his ruined one. They have to be responsible, noone will replace mine if I lose or ruin it. What kind of phone is she asking for? I don't see anything wrong with making a "deal" for the phone she wants, as long as it's deserving, you know makes good grades, being responsible, agreeing to pay, etc., and of course if it is economical.

man I had parents phoning me asking to forgive/waive overage charges that their teen put on their phone when i worked at a phone company

I was thinkin... the company provided the service; obviously no one in that household believes in personal responsibility

Me, my 14 year old and my 12 year old all have this one. We have unlimited texting:



My wife (spoiled) has the behold:



They want a "cooler" touch screen one, like this:



They will NOT be getting this...
My 12 year old has had a phone since the 4th grade...she was the first one in her class to get one (spoiled ass kids). We had to get one for her because we were buying one for her brother, in the 6th grade at the time, and we just knew there would be trouble...
[Edited 3/21/10 16:30pm]

My eldest son is on a £15 a month contract which he pays me as it's my direct debit lol.He works temp in a restaurant washing pots lol, he loves it apparently...

I don't have kids but I'm so proud that my wife has managed not to lose her current phone. 2 years+ and counting.

My son has the samsung Intensity...he pays about $30- a month.(Koodo) I love the slide out keyboard....im a VERY slow texter, & ive had the same cell for 3 yrs...its basic but it suits me fine.

haha my first one, as a kid





Couldn't loose THAT one even if I try'd. That thing was BIG and Indestructible... it's still around somewhere... have to look it up. I bet the phone still works fine