To Buy or Not To Buy...

A cell phone... for my 11yo. Ok, she's 11 1/2, but still. Remember the days when you went to a friend's house, and your parents just called over there (or yelled out the door, if your friend lived close enough) if they wanted you home? Unfortunately, this is no longer a smart thing to do. Ever since her father & stepmother abducted her, Princess has been a little slower than average at "spreading her wings"... She has "safe zones" (school, home, friend's homes, Mimi's home, church, etc); places she feels that her father either won't come to &/or can't come to. Lately, though, she has asked more & more to be left home while we run errands, wants to babysit (she even made flyers) this summer, and loves walking to the school to meet up with a couple girlfriends. Granted, these things don't happen often, but often enough that we're considering getting her a cell phone. Part of me wants to fight it; she's my "baby" after all... but the other part wants her to push her limits; heck, push OUR limits. But, to be honest, she's one of the most responsible, respectful preteens I know. In a typical school day, she gets herself up and ready for school (with only 5 minute reminders from me), does required work plus a bit of tutoring in class, comes home to grab a snack & do her homework, and gets herself ready & off to bed with no hassles. She watches less than two hours per week of t.v., and is rarely on the computer. We've already discussed phone rules -- it will have a "curfew" of 8p (off & charging), she will have a basic phone plan (text & talk; she's spoiled, not spoiled rotten), her activities on it will be monitored, etc... She's taken such good care of her MP3 player (4 years & counting), Nintendo DS (for car- & my work- use, only), books, and much more; I have faith she'll take care of a phone & respect the rules. I think having a phone will allow her, and us, to be more comfortable with her bouts of independence. Now, on to convince Ace that sooner is better...