Please help my poor teenage daughter

[2spoiledkidsmom]

Okay.  So I was told tonight by my 13 year old that I dont "get" life.  She is complaining because I dont pay for her to be able to text on her cell phone.  I got her a cell phone after many years of begging, not because she was begging for so long, but because I finally decided she needed it.  She was walking home from school by herself and I felt it was time.  When I got the phone, I didnt add texting because I dont think its necessary.  So here we are arguing about texting.  So here are our points.

My points why not.......
1.  Because I think it is unnecessary
2   Because I said so
3.  Refer to number 2...

Her points why she should have texting.....
1.  Because ALL her friends have it
2.  Even all their parents have texting
3.  Because all her friends think I am retarded for not allowing her to text
4.  Because its faster
5.  Because its easier
6.  Because she has more reasons
7.  Because she is living in the 21st century...for crying out loud

So, she is begging you for your votes here.  I dont think I need to beg.  What do you think?

[momofallboys]

Sep. 6, 2007 at 1:20 AM My teen has texting but only cause I like to grab the phone whenever i want to see what they are talking about!!!!!!

[allamericankate]

Sep. 6, 2007 at 1:20 AM So if it is so needed, is she willing to work for it?  Tell her she has to work for it ahead of time ... figure out what would be worth it to you and make her work for a credit.  If you can't afford it, its that simple, you just CANT do it  ...  does she baby sit?  is she willing to put her money into it?

[LovesLife318]

Sep. 6, 2007 at 1:20 AM

  Not necessary, but she can earn the privilage of txt.  Chores, giving up allowance... whatever you decide because you're the mom, but I think she'll survive w/o txt.

 

[Lb128f]

Sep. 6, 2007 at 1:25 AM I have a question...how much does it cost per month?

[PerpetualPonder]

Sep. 6, 2007 at 2:06 AM

My daughter has a cell and the unlimited texting on our family plan which is a grand total of $15 per month. It comes off of her allowance. I can check usage online, so if she roams or goes over minutes, etc, that comes off her allowance as well the next "payday". (She gets $10/week paid once a month by the way- amazing how quickly the $40 becomes $25)

I will say the texting comes in handy when I need to get hold of her at times talking on the phone isn't appropriate. It won't kill your daughter not to have texting. If mine didn't pay for it, she wouldn't have it either.

[PerpetualPonder]

Sep. 6, 2007 at 2:08 AM

Oh, that's my 16 y/o. My 13 y/o has a cell that her dad pays for and she doesn't have text.

[Chrissy629]

Sep. 7, 2007 at 9:03 PM I'd let her have texting. If all her friends aren't on the same plan it's a lot cheaper to text then it is to call.

[mescheve]

Sep. 10, 2007 at 11:39 PM I have four teenage siblings, ages 13-17, they all have it, but they have to pay for it a year in advance. My dad and my stepmom knew the kids wanted cells, so they bought the phones for them, but they had to pay for a year in advance(they did the cells right around christmas) and any features they wanted. I think if she wants it she should have to work for it.

[pookie0975]

Sep. 22, 2007 at 1:42 AM When she can pay for her bill... fine... text away. She will appreciate more if she has to pay for it. I am speaking from experience. Aren't these all the things our parents told US when we were her age? LOL

[octoberbaby_200]

Sep. 26, 2007 at 3:03 PM I really don't see why a 13 yr old needs to text when there is a phone to talk to your freinds on. But like some others say, if she is willing to pay for that part of the bill by her getting a babysitting job then that might help.