DD is in Y7 and will be 12 next week. Several of her friends are also celebrating 12th birthdays around now. She told me the other day that a group of schoolfriends have decided to pitch in £20 each in order to buy one of the girls an expensive (£90 to £100) phone for her birthday. I have said no to this because:
(a) DD doesn't have £20 so I will be expected to pay (as I expect at least some other mums will), and this is double what I normally spend on birthday presents (except for children I really like!).
(b) I have recently ruled out buying the same phone for DD herself as I feel it's too expensive a piece of kit to be carried round by a 12-year-old.
(c) I have very little confidence (based on past experience) in the ability of DD's friends to organise collecting money and purchasing a phone in time for the birthday, especially as school breaks up tomorrow.
DD thinks I'm mean and I realise I'm putting her in an embarrassing position, but I can't believe I'll be the only mum to object.