Cell Phone for a 7-Year Old

Nicole ~

When my husband took a new job - it moved our youngest daughter and I from our family and extended family.....EVERYONE. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, even siblings. The only daily contact I HAD was with the cell phone - she would constantly ask to call or talk to whomever we were talking to....
Recently we gave her a cheap little trak phone <attached to our plan> and she can call <mom and dad if we are out> and share her stories with her siblings <all 5 of them> that are all out of state, her grandparents or anyone she wishes!!
My favorite time someone said something to her <about her using a cell phone> when we were sitting on a park bench and before I could respond - she stated "It's my brother, he's a Guardsman in the Army and I get to talk to him"!! I thought I was going to have to revive the lady!!

We do what we can for our kids - we don't have to explain to strangers!! BTW - she <our youngest> is FIVE!!!

If you feel the need to justify their rude intrusion into your life. Tell them to do what they need to do for their family and you will do what you need to do for yours.

Okay there is a danger in taking my advice as when I was pregnant I would rebut all the time. Such as them "are you due anyday your huge" me "no I am not due until 4 months from now, but when I deliver I'll be back to my normal size and well you will still look the way you do"

You are helping a little girl grow up feeling loved and secure in her environment...God bless you! I would feel differently if the phone was a status symbol but I think you are using technology in the right way! Good job! Just smile and nod when people make comments, you know the reason behind her having it and you know it is worth it.

First off -- I HOPE YOU DON"T GET ANY CRITICISM FROM THE MOMS HERE, BECAUSE YOU AREN'T ASKING WHETHER OR NOT YOUR CHILD SHOULD HAVE A PHONE. YOUR CHILD HAS A PHONE AND YOU'RE ASKING FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO HANDLE JUDGMENTAL PEOPLE. YOU DON'T NEED ANY MORE OF THAT.

It's nobody's business and I wouldn't even give them the time of day -- although I'm sure it's maddening for you to hear these comments. I guess one thing you could do is have her carry it in a bag or in her pocket. My daughter is 11 and just got a cell phone. She is at her dad's every other weekend and she also likes to talk to her dad every day. She was always borrowing a phone or cell phone. Her phone makes her feel connected to each one of us -- she has instant access -- and uses it to call either of us whenever she wants. I, also, have heard criticism, and I just don't care. I'm sure I could pick apart those critics' parenting skills as well. None of us is perfect; we do the best we can in our own situations. I'm so tired of people judging and sticking their noses into everybody's business. I say you did a good thing and don't let anybody make you feel bad.