A New Definition
This afternoon, we (stupidly) went to a local high school baseball game. Yes, it was June 6, but it was 53 degrees. There was no sun, and the famous Chicago wind was blowing. We were the only people in the stands without a blanket. Or real coats -- I had on a jacket, and the wee ones were wearing their raincoats and rainboots because they had seen it rain earlier in the day. Do I really need to explain beyond that?
Fortunately, we didn't show up until the end of the bottom of the third, so the game was well underway by the time we got there. Without much room we were in the top corner of the bleachers, with a little flat space behind us that gives access to the press box. Two boys were playing up there, and Mister Man was of course very interested in that himself.
I let him go up there, as well, while I tried to watch the game and shrink further into myself to try to stay warm. Fortunately, Little Miss periodically needed to come snuggle with me to warm up, so that helped.
After awhile, I heard something whispering in my ear.
Pssst. Psssst. Psssst, Mom!
I turned around with my polite mom face on (don't tell me you aren't familiar with it) Yes, Sweetheart?
Mom, those guys over there -- pointing to the two boys still playing up there -- they aren't teenagers or kids. They're adults!
Ummm, ok? How do you know this?
I then received the five year old look of derision. Well, look, Mom. One of them has a phone.
Errm. Umm. Yeah, only adults can have phones. No, Mister Man, you may not have your own phone. Yep, those little pipsqueaks (somewhere between 11 and 14, as I don't yet do estimations of potentially middle school aged children) are certainly not teenagers. Way to use your powers of deduction to figure out that they must be adults.
I wonder how long this ruse will last. Do you think he'll figure out pretty soon that there are first graders in our district with their own cell phones that they bring to school in their backpacks?
13 comments:
Geesh 1st graders cell phones in their backpack? I'll admit my 5yo knows how to text, take pics and vids and then send them to people, but doesn't have his own phone!
We had my boys believing the ice cream truck was a visting fire truck until my stupid effin neighbor ruined it.
Visiting from SITS and fellow chicagolandian (?)
I still can't get used to my 6th grader having a cell phone. He looks at my in disbelief when I tell him that I got my first cell phone at 34 :)
I like his logic, lets hope it lasts a long time. Kids shouldn't have cell phones, in my opinion.
Well Mr Man, different parents have different rules but the rule here on The Avenue was you can't have a cell phone until you can pay your portion of the bill with your own EARNINGS.
BTW where is summer?
1st graders with phones? WOW! I just can't see why my children would need them and they are 13 and 10.
Yes, he will absolutely figure that out very soon. And then the nagging of your and hubby will commence, for Mister Man will believe that he also needs a phone.
As you know, I made my kids wait til age 14 and almost age 14 (Hanukkah 2 mos before the b-day) before I got them phones, because at that point the family is often in 4 different places at once, and since the technology is there, it ends up being a good thing.
I personally would never have purchased phones for mine when they were in elementary school but I do know that there are lots of divorced families/single parents that do it because they can always get in touch with the kid and vice versa. My opinion is that, hey, the school has a phone...why not save the money? But I'm also not a single parent so I guess I don't look at it the same way.
And by the way, having a cell phone to get in touch w/ your kid only really works if the kid answers it 100% of the time. :)
Oh the great cell phone debate. So strange that it's something we have to consider because I didn't get my first cell until I went to college!
And, ugh, the weather here! We looked at the forecast Thursday, and we immeadiately decided to head down to my mom's, which is about an hour south of downtown ... And it was warm enough for the toddler to swim all day. Weird, right?
Good heavens. Stopping by from SITS
I agree. Only adults can have phones!
Isabel - Yeah... and preschoolers with Gameboys on the bus. Bummer on the ice cream truck. I'm just glad that the ice cream truck comes through our neighborhood after bedtime!
septembermom - Yikes. I'm not ready even for a sixth grader to have one. At least I was ummm slightly younger than 34 before I got my first one :)
Katie Lane - I'm with ya. We survived without them, and so can they. Then again, I know my parents will eventually buy the wee ones phones with or without my consent.
Megryansmom - And that is a mantra I repeat to him on a regular basis on any number of topics! I do love the idea of paying for that portion with earnings.
Sherry - I'm so glad to hear that there are other parents out there not buying all the gadgets.
Melisa - You realize that by your logic, my husband shouldn't have a cell. He NEVER has it with him, and he breaks it at least once a year ;) I'm so stealing your contract when we do get to the point of having cells for them though!
Hyacynth - Totally weird. T-ball today was actually sorta nice, but we had coats on at our park playdate today. I'm jealous you have somewhere good to go play when needed!
AB Home Interiors - Good heavens does about sum it up, no?
Cookie - Let me know how that debate goes with your kids as they get older!
I like the way he thinks! I didn't have a cellphone until I went to college and I survived. I'm pretty sure my children won't need them until high school or so...
I'm so laughing at this - how funny! I seriously love kids and thte way their minds work.
Roxane - Yeah... he's got a mind of his own. Fingers crossed I can keep them away until high school.
RAS - Glad you liked it. Kids do have a great perspective, don't they?
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