How can I explain to my parents that I really do need a cellphone?
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I am 12, and I'll be turning 13 very soon. I have tried to ask my parents for a cell phone, and I even tried negotiating with them! I explained to them that I would buy the cell phone, and I would earn minutes by doing chores around the house. (5 or 10 minutes is equivilant to $1.00 for chores)
I really do need a cellphone, because I take part in many sports, like volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter, tennis in the spring and summer, golf and softball in the summer. I also take part in Scouts year round, and I also am, both, choir and band as well, and there are at least 6 choir concerts and 6 band concerts each school year. I also am a very mature and responsible babysitter, and yet, I still have time to hang out with my friends.
I am a real busy-body, and I am very mature, as people have told me. I am also a good student, and I maintain a 3.8 or above GPA. I have tried to explain this to my parents, but they keep telling me that I don't need a cell phone.
I looked at the Firefly phone, and it seems to "childish" for myself.
I do actually have two "jobs", so to speak. I mow the lawn once per week, and I earn $20 for that. I also baby-sit my cousin every once in awhile, and I earn about $4.00 per hour for that. I am also very cautious about spending my money. I have about $200 at the bank, and about $150 at home. I've never made any major purchases, but I do buy a computer game or something like that every once in awhile.
I just want to know how many minutes $1.00 would be equivalent to.
The main reason why I want to buy a cell phone, is for emergencies. Like if I need one of my parents to pick me up, if something serious happens, .etc.
I also am sick of sharing phones with my parents. I want to be independent. It's also quite embarassing when I have to ask someone if I can call someone on their cell. I mooching!
I know that a cell phone is expensive, but I have a reliable "job", and I believe that I will be able to pay the cell phone bills. I work very well under pressure, so the fact of having a cell phone, and having to pay for the cell phone bills, will get me motivated to earn money by doing different jobs.
I just don't see what the problem is myself wanting a cell phone. My parents tell me that I do not need a cell phone, but with my very hectic and busy schedule, I believe that I do. My mom is also concerned with cell phone radiation, which "supposedly" causes brain tumors, .etc. There is a very small chance that that could happen, though.
I also don't want a Firefly phone, because I have heard that the minutes expire after 90 days, unless you keep buying more minutes, and than 30 days after that, the phone gets "disconnected". It's not "re-connected" unless you buy a $25 SIM card. Which sucks!
I was thinking of buying a Disney Mobile.
What do you think?
The thing I mostly about payphones, and I'm sure mostly everyone without a cell phone can relate, is that you always have to have spare change. Which is very unlikely...
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6 Comments on this post
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dan h said:
i am 9 i got mine wen i was 5 u cud bye this one its verry chep dont foget the sim
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 am -
tykyera d said:
Will im 12 and i got my first cellphone in the thrid grade. Remind them about all the sex offends and how you will probably need it on your way to the bus stop and/or if you every leave your sports equipment at home. Or when you go out with your friends you never know what you will need it for like if a prverted men walk up to you you have your cellphone. you never know maybe they will give you one when you turn 13.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 am -
wasabigirl said:
I would tell them hey mom & dad I need a cell phone for emergencies only and I would only use it for a emergency to call you or 911. Then I would tell them they would be the only people with the number and not your friends. DON’T LET YOUR FRIENDS HAVE THE NUMBER OR YOUR MINUTES WILL GO BYE-BYE.
If that fail save your money and bye one of the pre-paid phones. I’ve got both.
Good luck.November 5th, 2009 at 2:43 am -
yagoodak said:
I am a parent with a 12 year old and an 18 year old.
I think you want a cell phone for social status – just a guess.
I bought one for my 18 year old because she drives and I am more comfortable knowing that she can call if she needs help. This translates to I think my daughter needs a phone – not the other way around.
What you need to do is to convince your parents why THEY need you to have a phone. Otherwise it won’t happen. Social pressure may not be a good excuse. Your parents apparently believe that they will put up with any pain caused by the communication inconvenience casued your busy schedule.
I’d like to hear your argument!
PS – I design cell phones for a living and have plenty of phones laying around I could give to my 12 year old. I just haven’t seen a reason to do so. All I get is the social status response! Having been in his situation I know it’s tough but I also know that it’s not necessary for him to have a cell phone.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:46 am -
SillyQuestion said:
First off according to your math you should get 12$ an hour to do chores… you might think about that for a while…. people doing similar jobs in the real world might get only 5$ an hour.
Second you actually havent mentioned any reason to have a cellphone, and any reason you can come up can easily be addressed with the Firefly (which btw, the calls are NOT free) which you’ve rejected as ‘childish’.
I’d suggest that if you really want a cellphone, give up some of your fun activities and get a job. You can buy a cellphone for about 30$ at radio shack, and then calls are .10$ a minute (tracphone).
Almost all preaid phones’ minutes expire after 90 days, unless you buy more minutes.
Disney mobile looks way too expensive and looks to me like a nice plan to talk to your friends…didn you say you just want it for emergencies?
Have you looked at skype?
You might also want to look at the definition of “busy-body”
10 cents a minute doesnt seem that expensive to me…
November 6th, 2009 at 8:20 am -
jojoz2004 said:
I dont believe a kid under the age of 16 should get a cellphone.
Under 16 you dont have to worry about getting into a car accident, or you are(or should be) with an adult.
PrePaid minutes cost WAY to much, any way you go!
and most expire in 60 days!
We all survived without cellphones when we were in sports, etc.
If you have so much money, then I’m sure a payphone is not far away!November 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
