Whether or not to get our older daughter a cell phone has been has been a hot issue over the last year in our house.  Our oldest is not as big of a trend follower (unlike our youngest daughter) so the fact that other kids her age were getting cell phones did not really sway her to want a phone. 

With our older daughter, the decision to get a cell phone was more a matter of:

• Convenience (communication when she is at a game, activity)
• Safety (being able to communicate with each other at any time
  

The decision was taken out of our hands at Christmas when Grandma and Grandpa got her a phone. They asked before they purchased it and we agreed.  But it really didn't work out very well.  There was too much "stuff" for her to keep track of.  In addition, my husband and I were not really comfortable with 24/7 access to a cell phone.  She was only 12 at the time. This was opening up a whole new world for all of us. Her cell phone Christmas present lasted until March, when we called it quits.

I wish we'd know about kajeet.  kajeet seems like a great solution for the "cell phone wars" of the tween and early teen years.  kajeet is a "pay-as-you-go" cell phone service.  The company was founded by three dads, who wanted to give their kids the ability to use mobile communication but with some built in customization features for parents as they navigate the tween years.

The thing I really like about kajeet is that unlike "kiddie" phones or "add-a-line" family plans, kajeet offers a full-featured, highly customizable cell phone with no contracts and no activation or cancellation fees.

The story behind the company is interesting and sheds light on some of the "hot" issues facing modern parents.  More information about kajeet as well the "cell phone wars" in my next post. Just so you know, if I sound enthusiastic about kajeet it's because the cell phone decision has been a big deal in our house.

There are cell phones for kids but my older daughter feels "too old" for such phones.  The "adult" cell phone solution left my husband and I awake at night with worry (she's our oldest, we are rookies at parenting a teen).  kajeet seems like a good fit for our family and we are reconsidering the whole cell phone thing because of kajeet.  I will let you know how it goes.