This morning, in the supermarket, the boy turned to me (beside the salad section)…

Him: Mom?
Me: Yes?
Him: Can we have a conversation about me getting a mobile phone?
Me: Sure.  When?
Him: Now?
Me: OK.  Before we talk about you actually getting a phone, we need to talk about what having a phone means.
Him: OK
Me: What do you think it would be OK to do with a phone?
Him: Well, it wouldn’t be OK to talk to or to text random strangers.
Me: Obviously, but yes.  Anything else?
Him: Hmmmm
Me: Would it be OK for you to take it to bed with you at night?
Him: No.  That would be silly.  I would give it to you when I give you my iPad*
Me: OK, that is good.
Him: How much is credit?
Me: About €15 a month
Him:  So… (pause)… I get €24 pocket money a month, right?
Me: Yes
Him: So… (pause)… I would have €9 left after getting my credit
Me: No, when you get a mobile phone you will become more expensive to me but I am so impressed with you that you are willing to pay for it with your own money.
Him: Cool
Me: What do you think are the responsibilities of someone who has a mobile phone?
Him:  Do more chores so that you can work more to make more money to pay for the credit?
Me: Well, helping out with chores so that I don’t have to do them which will make my life a bit easier, but yes.
Him: Like what?
Me: Well, my car is always dirty and I never remember to tidy it when I am not driving it and I can’t tidy it while I am driving.
Him: I could tidy your car.  It would take a long time the first time but after that it would be quick and then your car would be tidy.  I can do it while you are cooking dinner.
Me:  That’s a great idea.  If you are old enough to have a phone, then you are old enough to know that you are going to start getting smelly soon and so you will need to shower more often.
Him: OK, I kind of do smell already.
Me: Then it is time to start showering at least twice a week.
Him: So, when can I get a phone?
Me: Well, what sort of phone do you think you should get?
Him: An iPhone
Me: Obviously.  I don’t want to support an android.  But which iPhone?
Him: I was thinking not as old as a 4s and not as new as a 7.  Maybe a 5s? Does that one have the fingerprint thing?
Me: Yes.  That is the phone I was thinking about too.
Him: I will help you do things and show you that I am responsible enough for a mobile phone.
Me: Great.
Him: So, can I get a phone for my birthday? (it is still 6 months away)
Me: On the understanding that you do the things that show that you are responsible enough, I don’t see why not.
Him: Cool.  How will I know what my phone number is?

I love the combined innocence and maturity of his ability to converse these days.

*He gives me his iPad at 9pm when the internet turns off and it is his time for bed.