Thursday, July 20, 2006
Old Enough for a Cell Phone
Dear Guidance Guy,
I am at an age now where I'm going to need a cell phone. All of my friends have one, and not just that, I actually need one. My mom will let me get one but my dad won't. Everytime I ask him (which isn't very often) he says "No, you're going to break it or lose it and I'm not spending extra money to fix it or get a new one."But I'm not four anymore! I can handle it and I'm responsible. He still thinks I'm a little kid and that I'm going to break things or lose it, but I won't.
I've tried talking to him and he said the only way I'll be able to get one is if I pay the bill each month. But where the heck am I going to get that kind of money?! I don't have a job so i can't pay for it. It's impossible. I really need one for school, sports, and I do a lot of things with friends, and there were emergencies at times where I needed to call my parents but didnt have a cell phone.
I've tried everything, but my dad still doesn't see that I'm mature and responsible enough to have one. What should I do?
Megan
*** *** ***
Dear Megan,
If the problem is that you're father still sees you as a little girl, you'll need to change the way he sees you. That means presenting yourself as someone who is responsible, resourceful and mature, as you wrote. You can try writing a proposal and explaining the benefits of having your own phone - the benefits to him, not you. You've mentioned some of them already. He gets convenience, peace of mind and anything else you can think of that works for him.
As for not having any money for the bill, I think you're getting off too easy on that. If you're old enough for your phone, there must be things you can do to earn a few bucks. Babysitting, extra chores around the house, jobs around the neighborhood...there are lots of ways to earn at least part of the money you'd need for a monthly bill.
If you want this phone badly enough, show your father that you're mature - and commited to doing what it takes to get one.
Good Luck,
The Guidance Guy
I am at an age now where I'm going to need a cell phone. All of my friends have one, and not just that, I actually need one. My mom will let me get one but my dad won't. Everytime I ask him (which isn't very often) he says "No, you're going to break it or lose it and I'm not spending extra money to fix it or get a new one."But I'm not four anymore! I can handle it and I'm responsible. He still thinks I'm a little kid and that I'm going to break things or lose it, but I won't.
I've tried talking to him and he said the only way I'll be able to get one is if I pay the bill each month. But where the heck am I going to get that kind of money?! I don't have a job so i can't pay for it. It's impossible. I really need one for school, sports, and I do a lot of things with friends, and there were emergencies at times where I needed to call my parents but didnt have a cell phone.
I've tried everything, but my dad still doesn't see that I'm mature and responsible enough to have one. What should I do?
Megan
*** *** ***
Dear Megan,
If the problem is that you're father still sees you as a little girl, you'll need to change the way he sees you. That means presenting yourself as someone who is responsible, resourceful and mature, as you wrote. You can try writing a proposal and explaining the benefits of having your own phone - the benefits to him, not you. You've mentioned some of them already. He gets convenience, peace of mind and anything else you can think of that works for him.
As for not having any money for the bill, I think you're getting off too easy on that. If you're old enough for your phone, there must be things you can do to earn a few bucks. Babysitting, extra chores around the house, jobs around the neighborhood...there are lots of ways to earn at least part of the money you'd need for a monthly bill.
If you want this phone badly enough, show your father that you're mature - and commited to doing what it takes to get one.
Good Luck,
The Guidance Guy
