As my children grow, gift shopping becomes increasingly challenging. This dilemma usually presents itself in two forms: either A. They want “stuff” but can’t specify what, or B. They have a clear desire for “stuff” that I simply won’t buy.
Today, my oldest son turns 10. After weeks of chaos, I finally managed to gather myself and go shopping for his birthday presents. It turns out he expressed to his father (not me) that he wants a cell phone.
Wait, what? Absolutely not!
Now, I’m not suggesting that no 10-year-olds should own a phone. However, in my son’s case, it’s unnecessary. If both my partner and I had jobs outside the home, or if he was often left alone for activities, I could understand the need for a phone. But that’s not our reality.
I could see it being relevant if his friends lived nearby and he regularly rode his bike to their houses unsupervised, but that’s not how things work where we live. Since I work from home, I’m present when he is. If I take him somewhere, I’m usually right there with him. He already has access to various electronic devices, and at this point in his life, a phone would serve mainly as a status symbol. And let me be clear: if anyone in our household is going to flaunt a status symbol, it will be my husband or me.
We don’t drive luxury cars or own a boat, nor do we have a vacation home in France. We skip expensive watches, designer clothes, and high-end handbags. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. Having navigated life for quite some time, I understand that material possessions don’t hold real significance. It’s my responsibility to instill those values in my children.
So, sorry kiddo! Happy Birthday, but try again next year.
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Summary
In conclusion, while many children may benefit from having a cell phone, my 10-year-old simply does not need one at this stage. His current circumstances do not warrant the necessity. As parents, we must prioritize teaching our kids the value of life over material items.