As my children grow older, the challenge of finding appropriate gifts becomes increasingly complex. This dilemma often arises in two ways: A. They have a desire for “things,” yet lack clarity on what exactly they want, or B. They have specific “things” in mind, but there’s absolutely no way I’m purchasing them.
Take today, for instance; it’s my eldest son’s 10th birthday. After a whirlwind couple of weeks, I finally managed to gather my thoughts and go shopping for his presents. He has confided in his father (not me, mind you) that he would like a cell phone as a birthday gift.
Excuse me? That’s simply out of the question.
I’m not suggesting that it’s entirely unreasonable for a 10-year-old to own a phone, but my child does not require one at this stage. If both his father and I had demanding jobs outside the home, or if he frequently found himself alone—perhaps at home or during sports practice—I could understand the need. However, that is far from our reality.
Additionally, if his friends lived nearby, making playdates or bike rides to their houses common, it would be a different story. But again, that’s not the situation we face. Since I work from home, I’m usually present when he is. When I take him out, I am typically right there with him. He already has access to various electronic devices, and at this point in his life, the primary reason he desires a phone is for status. Let me be clear: if anyone in this household is going to flaunt a status symbol, it will be my partner or myself.
We don’t drive high-end vehicles, own a boat, or have a vacation home abroad. We don’t adorn ourselves with expensive accessories, nor do we splurge on designer attire. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. With the wisdom I’ve gained over the years, I understand that material possessions are not a true measure of value in life. It’s now my responsibility to impart these lessons to my children.
Rest assured, my son will have many opportunities and privileges before I ever consider gifting him a phone for his birthday. Sorry, kiddo. Happy Birthday, but let’s revisit this next year.
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In summary, while the desire for a cell phone may be prevalent among children, I firmly believe that my 10-year-old is not ready for such a responsibility. Instead, it is essential for me to focus on teaching him the values that truly matter in life, rather than indulging in materialistic desires prematurely.