He didn’t say “I need you to buy me” – just “I need”. Fine by me. They’re part of his phone, he clearly uses them a lot, they give him pleasure, they stop his music etc. annoying other people, and the damage was an accident that I can sympathise with. And the cheapest budget ear buds cost about the same as a couple of cups of coffee. He can almost certainly afford that; if he can’t, for a good reason, then do your brand research and, this time at least, treat the kid to a modest pair next time you’re down the supermarket. Or give him cash, tell him to go choose them himself, bring you the receipt and the change, and be more careful. Plus the damage could be to the phone, in which case buying anything more expensive isn’t the best idea until you know. Either way, sure – offer to get him a decent set at Christmas if he feels he’d really like something better. He’ll be back up and running, and if he wants the something better, sooner, he’ll have an incentive to save or earn the money. (Parent of four here. Worked for me.)
The alternative is listening to whatever garbage teens listen to today to annoy their parents, cranked up to maximum volume because the kids have destroyed their hearing. No a repeat from 1750, 60, 70, 80, 90 …
You can get cheap ones to last until Christmas at a local Dollar store or Five Below. If you are doing chores and earning money, shouldn’t be too much to afford. They only need to last a few months. That was what I told my daughter (but it was her birthday, not Christmas that she had to wait a few months for). It worked. No grumbling from her and she got wireless ear buds as a result (the kind she wanted). :o)
Dollar Tree has earbuds for $1! I’ve been using them for over a year, and have had to replace them 6 times. The last pair has lasted me 3 months. Even adding all of them together, for more than a year it’s been $7. Junior, you can afford this! And if you want something fancy – you can save up for it!
When my son was about 13 he told me that he need the new X-Box. I smiled and told him to survive he NEEDED air. water, and food prioritized in that order. Clothing and shelter were optional. This is the way the world works for some people around the globe. We decided to wait on the new X-box. To his credit, he saved money from pet sitting and other neighborhood odd jobs and bought his own in another year. :-)
Nachikethass over 5 years ago
Oxymoron, anyone? And it’s completely true!
Say What Now‽ Premium Member over 5 years ago
Wait until Betty has to listen to the kid’s music.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 5 years ago
Aah, he probably just needs to have his ears cleaned. Or his earbuds.
fredd13 over 5 years ago
He didn’t say “I need you to buy me” – just “I need”. Fine by me. They’re part of his phone, he clearly uses them a lot, they give him pleasure, they stop his music etc. annoying other people, and the damage was an accident that I can sympathise with. And the cheapest budget ear buds cost about the same as a couple of cups of coffee. He can almost certainly afford that; if he can’t, for a good reason, then do your brand research and, this time at least, treat the kid to a modest pair next time you’re down the supermarket. Or give him cash, tell him to go choose them himself, bring you the receipt and the change, and be more careful. Plus the damage could be to the phone, in which case buying anything more expensive isn’t the best idea until you know. Either way, sure – offer to get him a decent set at Christmas if he feels he’d really like something better. He’ll be back up and running, and if he wants the something better, sooner, he’ll have an incentive to save or earn the money. (Parent of four here. Worked for me.)
david_42 over 5 years ago
The alternative is listening to whatever garbage teens listen to today to annoy their parents, cranked up to maximum volume because the kids have destroyed their hearing. No a repeat from 1750, 60, 70, 80, 90 …
cabalonrye over 5 years ago
Time to earn some money to buy those ear buds.
contralto2b over 5 years ago
You can get cheap ones to last until Christmas at a local Dollar store or Five Below. If you are doing chores and earning money, shouldn’t be too much to afford. They only need to last a few months. That was what I told my daughter (but it was her birthday, not Christmas that she had to wait a few months for). It worked. No grumbling from her and she got wireless ear buds as a result (the kind she wanted). :o)
mountainclimber over 5 years ago
Necessary like tRump’s wall?
sew-so over 5 years ago
Dollar Tree has earbuds for $1! I’ve been using them for over a year, and have had to replace them 6 times. The last pair has lasted me 3 months. Even adding all of them together, for more than a year it’s been $7. Junior, you can afford this! And if you want something fancy – you can save up for it!
No, no sympathy, sorry.
Scoutmaster77 over 5 years ago
When my son was about 13 he told me that he need the new X-Box. I smiled and told him to survive he NEEDED air. water, and food prioritized in that order. Clothing and shelter were optional. This is the way the world works for some people around the globe. We decided to wait on the new X-box. To his credit, he saved money from pet sitting and other neighborhood odd jobs and bought his own in another year. :-)