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Dear Jellybean,
O.k. so I go to this school where materialistic items matter. So here is my problem: EVERYBODY AT MY SCHOOL HAS A CELL PHONE!!! and i mean everyone (literally!) I dont get why my parents wont get me one, i mean... not to sound brattish or spoiled, but we can afford it, and Im very trustworthy (like when i was little, I grounded MYSELF). I need to get my parents to get me a cell phone, or ways that i could get one by myself. Any ideas?
-Craving a cell
Dear Craving a cell,
You don't say how old you are, but whatever your age, "because everyone else has one" is just about the worst reason you can give your parents, for anything. After all, that makes it sound to them like you're just a sheep (baaa) going along with the flock, without any good reasons of your own.
If your parents can afford it and money isn't the issue, sit down with your folks when they're not busy with other stuff, and ask to have a conversation about the cell phone issue. Find out why they don't want to get you a cell phone, and then give them good reasons why you should have one anyway.
You could start off by giving them some examples of situations where it would benefit your safety to have a cell. Respectfully mention that most parents get their kids a cell phone not for popularity reasons, but for security purposes. For instance, you might have to get in touch with your mom or dad during class emergencies, if something bad happens during a school trip, or when you're out with friends (or wherever), and there isn't any pay phone around.
You can also point out to your parents that if you have a cell, they can keep in touch with you more easily when you go out with your friends. If your folks love to check up on you, you might even mention that for an extra small fee per month, they can use the GPS in your new phone to track you all hours of the day and night and make sure you're where you're supposed to be. (You probably don't love this idea, lol, but it may sell your parents!)
If your parents worry that you're not mature enough to have a cell phone, or worry about you racking up massive charges on texting and downloads, show them how responsible you can be. Collect brochures from stores that sell prepaid cell phones (there are several different ones available), and talk about filling it up with only a limited number of prepaid minutes or dollars, guaranteeing that you will not incur extra charges.
You might want to demonstrate your maturity and responsibility to your parents, by offering to pay for your phone in part or totally. Save your allowance, do chores for cash or babysit the neighbor kids, and earn enough to fund your own cell phone. Or, tell your parents that they could take some money out of your regular weekly allowance to supplement/pay for the cell phone bills.
Whatever you do, don't ask for an expensive model (that makes it seem like you're asking for the wrong reasons), and don't whine or get angry if your parents continue to say no. They're not trying to make your life miserable - they have their reasons, even if you don't agree with those. If you handle their decision with maturity, and keep bringing it up, nicely, there's every chance that they could change their mind.
