You have a decision to make …

Dany Elachi, Co Founder and Movement Director, The Heads Up Alliance, paints a common scenario for parents.

Your boy turns 12 next month – and you have a decision to make.

Three-quarters of the time you’ll ever spend together is already behind you. Just one quarter remains.

By his 18th birthday? Only 10% will be left.

He’s growing up fast, and you haven’t had nearly enough of him.

Last night, he asked you for a smartphone.

“For my birthday, dad” he said. “Even your old one will do”.

You’ve done so well to hold out this long. Many of his friends already have phones.

So you have a decision to make.

But gee, can it really be true that most of your time together is already gone?
And will a phone change your relationship?

Your sister says if she could turn back time, she would.

Your nephew’s at uni now, but she reckons the day she gave him a phone was the day his childhood ended.

Thankfully your boy still asks you to kick the old Sherrin around. But one day, it’ll be the very last time he asks.

This afternoon, you’re going to be the one who asks.

“Hey kiddo, wanna go to the park for a kick?”

What you really mean is, I LOVE HANGING OUT WITH YOU, MATE.

Yep, you’ve made up your mind. You haven’t had enough of your boy.

You’re going to make this last quarter really count.

You’re going to get him a brand new footy for his birthday. A bright red one. One that’s going to last a few more years.

And as for the phone? Well, that’s just going to have to wait.