Cranky Post: You Don't Need a Cell Phone For Your Kid
I received an email today from someone wanting a cell phone for her son; her son's was stolen and she was hoping someone might have an extra (Verizon, specifically) cell phone they could give her. "When he's with his friends or has missed the bus it puts me at ease to know that he contact me and let me know what's going on," she wrote.
Well, part of this is irritation with my experience with freecycle groups speaking, but let me just say back when I was in school, we didn't have cell phones and we were just fine. Notice I said this lady "wants" a cell phone for her son-- she doesn't need it. Back in the olden days when I was in school, if someone missed the bus they went back into their home or school or wherever they were when they missed the bus, and used the phone there if need be. When I was in school if I was out with friends and needed to make a call, any place I could possibly be (save for the woods or in a car) had a phone, and if I happened to be in a car, well, I could drive to a phone, couldn't I? And since "everyone" has a cell phone these days, can't he just borrow someone's if he's in an emergency?
On a second note, what's with clingy parents? I saw a mother this morning standing in the cold on the sidewalk with her daughter waiting for the bus. Is there a reason the girl can't wait by herself? It's not exactly inner city around here. Wait a few minutes before the bus arrives and send her out; watch her from the window if you must. Another mother I see walks her daughter home from the bus stop every day-- the bus stop being directly in front of her yard. No street crossing involved, even. The mother waits in her small yard to walk the girl from the grass to the door. For goodness sakes!
I'm sorry your son's cell phone was stolen (lost?), lady. Now you'll have to rough it like people from the nineties.
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Forgive this post. It's not like I haven't considered getting a cell phone for my children so we could stay in touch when they're at their dad's. I don't mean to put down anyone who has a cell phone for their child; I do understand the ways in which it could be useful. I just don't think in average cases, especially for preteens, that a cell phone is needed.
Well, part of this is irritation with my experience with freecycle groups speaking, but let me just say back when I was in school, we didn't have cell phones and we were just fine. Notice I said this lady "wants" a cell phone for her son-- she doesn't need it. Back in the olden days when I was in school, if someone missed the bus they went back into their home or school or wherever they were when they missed the bus, and used the phone there if need be. When I was in school if I was out with friends and needed to make a call, any place I could possibly be (save for the woods or in a car) had a phone, and if I happened to be in a car, well, I could drive to a phone, couldn't I? And since "everyone" has a cell phone these days, can't he just borrow someone's if he's in an emergency?
On a second note, what's with clingy parents? I saw a mother this morning standing in the cold on the sidewalk with her daughter waiting for the bus. Is there a reason the girl can't wait by herself? It's not exactly inner city around here. Wait a few minutes before the bus arrives and send her out; watch her from the window if you must. Another mother I see walks her daughter home from the bus stop every day-- the bus stop being directly in front of her yard. No street crossing involved, even. The mother waits in her small yard to walk the girl from the grass to the door. For goodness sakes!
I'm sorry your son's cell phone was stolen (lost?), lady. Now you'll have to rough it like people from the nineties.
- - -
Forgive this post. It's not like I haven't considered getting a cell phone for my children so we could stay in touch when they're at their dad's. I don't mean to put down anyone who has a cell phone for their child; I do understand the ways in which it could be useful. I just don't think in average cases, especially for preteens, that a cell phone is needed.