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Is 12yrs too young for a mobile phone & credit card?

Ally - posted on 02/10/2010 ( 6 moms have responded )

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My daughters friends go to the movies and have McDonalds every weekend, they have sleep overs also every weekend- not at everyones house- only the ones with the latest electronic toys. My daughter was bought up to love animals, fishing and camping. Her friends tell her she is missing out on all the fun by being with us and not them. Apparently doing your hair is more cool. They are mean to her and when she gets upset they say she is being too sensitive or it was a misunderstanding. How do you keep up with all this crap? Why can't kids be kids? Why can't people let you raise your daughter the way you want. I want my daughter to be down to earth, level- headed, not high maintenence! I want her to see that the beauty in this world, doesn't come from a shop! and- Being with people who love and accept you is much better than being with people who only like you if you have the latest gadget/hairstyle. I think an isolated property looks good for these teenage years!

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Anna - posted on 02/10/2010

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My 11 yr old is in the same boat!!! We talk about quality over quantity, meaning better friends instead of just more friends. I also ask her why she wants to be a sheep, just one of the herd? Goes back to "if Suzy jumped off a bridge would you?" Good luck!!!

Leanne - posted on 02/10/2010

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I would also have her choose other friends, ones she can share interests with and so she actually has something in common so she will have actual fun. When I was 12 I had an allowance and when that was spent well too bad for me lol that is how I learned to handle money. Cell phones, well I cant say too much on that cause my daughter got one for her 13th bday (she is now 17) but I am glad we got it for her. It made me feel better as things today are not like they were when we were all kids in the late 70s and 80s. It is sadly no longer the time where you just tell your kids to come home when the street lights come on.

Jane - posted on 02/10/2010

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you're doing everything right.

Jane - posted on 02/10/2010

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OMG !! I agree with you Ally. I plan to let my little boy experience the good things in life - riding his bike, playing in mud, getting dirty - just enjoying himself!! Unfortunately today, some parents get a little carried away and try to substitute their time for gadgets...like they don't have the time to sit and read or play games with their kids, so they will buy them playstation/xbox/mobile phones/ whatever, ya know!! My nephew who is 7, has Playstation 2 & 3, Wii & Nintendo DS! When I go over and ask him to come outside and kick a ball around, I barely get an audible response as he grunts no, all the while his eyes are glued to the screen!! I agree with Laura that your lil girl needs to consider some different friends - ones who aren't so materialistic !! Good luck x x

Dominique - posted on 02/10/2010

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I think a credit card at 12 is way to young im 19 and i dont even have a credit card. A cell phone i believe that 12 is reasonable, with a set amount of minutes on it once the minutes for that month are gone then too bad shes out. I think it will help her to manage responsibility better. As to all the other girls who are treating your daughter this way i also say that you should encourage her to find a better group of friends because no 12 year old needs the stress of friends making fun of her besides they arent truly friends if they are making fun of her

Laura - posted on 02/10/2010

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ur absolutely correct!! dont succumb to "normal" possessions of 12 yr olds.. i think ur right on.. girls can be terrible.. try to encourage ur nice girl to find better friends!!

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