When in doubt, ask the web. That's what I always say. Okay, not true but let's just pretend I always say that.

Oldest wants a cell phone.

Oldest is 11.

This seems like a ridiculously young age for any type of electronic equipment that can be easily ruined.

However, she has some valid arguments, which include:

At a birthday party, she was the only one who didn't have a phone and she called me to leave early because she felt so out of place. Everyone was texting each other while they were in the room together.

She could call me from extra circular activities when it was time for her to get picked up.

Her dad would always know what school to pick her up from. (This is an entirely different blog posting).

She could text me about stupid things like all of my friends.

If I should cave under the peer pressure, the phone would not be purchased until Christmas or her 12th birthday, which is in February.

However, I'm wondering should I go with one of those prepaid jobs or should I put her on my plan.

Parents of tweens....what do you do? How do you handle the need for a phone at such a young age? Do your kids pay for their own phone? Do you do the prepay phone or the plan. I'm thinking the prepaid one would be less of a hassle if she lost it.

Your thoughts??