My thoughts are - if the phones are in YOUR name then you have the right to deal with it, especially if DH won't. Text SD17 to say that she has one week to pay the extra charges or the phone will be cut off. Then follow through and CUT THE PHONE OFF. Let HER raise a stink with DH. Sweetly smile at him and ignore all his bs. Point out that other SD is being responsible and paying her bill. Tell him if he wants to pay for SD17 phone, HE can choose to get one specially for her but you won't be paying for HIS irresponsible child anymore. End of discussion.

Mind you, I'm in a evil mood this morning }:)

So is his child better, more special, than you children. I don't think his child should be treated any different that your child. If your child didn't pay their part you would cut them off. All rules apply to everyone. What message are you sending your children? That his child doesn't have to follow the rules...this is bad for your family. Cut her off.

Sometimes lessons need to be learned. You are establishing character qualities, by showing her that money doesn't grow on trees and you must be a person of your word. You agreed to this, now you need to follow through.

I totally agree with Foxie. Our parents raised us without us having cell phones. But there were also pay phones during that time too. Now a days to find a pay phone some where is almost impossible. The school I went to, had one in the lobby for kids to use after they were done with an after school activity. The school my kids go to, doesn't have one. They would have to cross a major highway and to get to a convenience store to use one. Both of my kids have a cell phone, but they are AT&T pay as ya go. They get unlimited texting (because that's what they use it for the most) and a few dollars a month in talk time. They don't have a data plan, there is no need for a teenager to have a data plan. My kids also don't have those really expensive cell phones either. Especially when I myself don't have one. DH & I also each have an AT&T pay as ya go phone. The total for all 4 phones each month is $100. BS12 & I just had this discussion the other day. Because his birthday is coming up and he needs a new phone(his have all been hand me downs). BS12 asked us for an Android. I looked at him and said "I'm sorry but there is no way I am buying an Android for a 13yo". He says "all my friends have one." I then pointed out, that not all of them do and if I don't buy myself an Android, I'm not buying him one. I then told him that if he wants a phone like that, he better get a job and buy it himself and pay the bill himself. Luckily for me, dh & I are on the same page about the whole cell phone thing. SD16 has complained several times about wanting an expensive smart phone and a regular cell plan. We told her that they day she can buy the phone & pay the bill herself, is the day she will have one. Your dh needs to grow a set & step up and quit making sd think she is entitled to have these things. Tho I understand it is hard, because I have the same battle several times a week with my dh about sd16. SD16's prom is coming up and my dh thought for sure I would go along with wanting to buy sd16 a $250-$300 dress to wear one time and also pay for tanning, hair, new make-up, shoes, new jewelry, and getting her nails done. I told him that he is crazy if he thinks we are going to spend that much. My parents didn't do that for me, I was lucky to even have a dress and what they didn't pay for, I did. Kids these days think they are entitled to these things without having to work for them. Needless to say, I took sd16 dress shopping 2 weekends ago at a place that sells new dresses for discount price because either there is a small defect or the retail store couldn't sell it. I got sd16 a new dress & new pair of shoes to match for $55. The dress does need a new zipper put in it because it was messed up, but I took it to be fixed and it's only gonna cost me $20. So for $75 sd16 got a new dress & new shoes and that makes room in our budget for her to go tanning and all the other things she wants. I sometimes think that this entitlement issue has a lot to do with the parents not telling their kids no from time to time. JMO!

Dude don't let her get away with her responsibilities you were clear stating what was required in order to maintain their cell phones and she hasn't held up her end of the bargain. This is why kids these days don't know what responsibility is. Its one or the other cell phone or ridiculously priced prom dress. Sorry.

When dh & I got into the argument about the whole prom dress budget and the cell phone matter....I simply looked at dh and said "I am sorry that you can not face reality and realize that the things sd16 is asking for is not in our budget and I refuse to go over that budget and not pay a utility bill or mortgage payment just so sd16 can spend more on a dress or cell phone." After that, the cell phone and prom budget conversation was ended and I stuck to the budget. I use to just cave to dh and let him give sd16 whatever she asked for. But no longer will I go without being able to provide a stable home for sd16 & bs12 just because sd16 thinks she is entitled to something. SD16 is in for a reality check when she moves out in a year to go to college. Because sd16 thinks that dh & I are going to foot the bill. Ummm, sorry don't think so. DH & I had to get student loans to pay for our college education and so will sd16 & bs12. I will try to help them a little by sending them some "mad money" each month, but only if all our bills are paid first. I find it funny how some parents complain how bad or irresponsible their kids/skids are, but don't realize they are the ones teaching them to entitled brats.