At what age or birthday milestone did you allow your kids to do things? Sleepovers, iPhone, ear piercing, dating, soda, video games?
JULIE NORRIS
As a single mom, Max has had a phone as soon as she was old enough to stay home alone, an absolute necessity in our family so I could continue to work. I can’t remember how old she was, but probably around nine or ten. I let her graduate from face paint to makeup during the pandemic when we were isolating, when she was in fifth grade. Typically that would have been too early, but it brought her joy and kept her busy during a depressing time. She’s makeup artist level good and creative, she could start a career! Mother- daughter nose piercings at 15. I’ve always wanted one and it gave me a reason to splurge on myself! When she turns 18, matching mother daughter tattoos! Can’t wait.
DEANA NECHODOM
No soda ever, IPhones at 13, sleepovers at 7, video games around 10.
LAURA DEPAZ CABRERA
As I’m sure 99.9% of my fellow Puerto Ricans may say – sleepovers, generally, aren’t a thing until almost adult-hood. If they are, it’s with either close family OR friends that may as well be family that you’ve known for forever, know what they do, where they work, their great grandmother’s birthday and blood type. We don’t mess around when it comes to kids sleeping elsewhere, LOL.
WENDY ECKHARDT
No Snapchat until the end of their sophomore year. Would have been longer but when COVID hit I caved and allowed my oldest to get it so they could stay in touch with friends. Youngest hated having to wait, but I stuck to my guns
TRACY WRIGHT
My daughter got a cell phone in 6th grade and my son in 7th grade. No social media until high school. Sleepovers for both were around 4th/5th grade but I had to (and still) had to know the parents pretty well. I’m Cuban so my daughter’s ears were pierced at 4 months. My daughter has never liked soda but with my son it was probably 3rd for non caffeinated and 5th/6th for Coke etc.
JENNA BARSKY
Ear Piercing… when they are ready. IPhone… when there is a “NEED.” None are birthday specific, more when I think the child is “ready” mentally and physically.
JOY RIDDLE
Phone when they started driving. Once they were mobile, I wanted to be in touch more frequently. Ears pierced at 2 months. Tattoos after 18.
ELAINE ALMOND
My kids didn’t get cell phones until they were 14, so this happens during their 8th grade year. My youngest has the latest birthday (June) of the school year so she was trying so hard to negotiate an early time. I’m so glad I stuck to my guns!
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