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AIBU?

To buy my 5 year old a netbook?

126 replies

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:06

My DS is going to be 5 in December. DH and I have been musing over the idea of his own little netbook type thing.

We only have the one laptop and DH work one. So there is no family type computer for him to play on.

I can't think of anything else that wouldnt be a complete waste of money tbh.

He has a huge amount of toys that he is very happy with and he is not into anything specific. (I know that could change between now and his birthday)

Is it too big and expensive a present for someone so young?

Has anyone else's 5yr old got one?

OP posts:

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Marne · 22/07/2011 21:08

We are getting dd1 a notebook for christmas this year but she's 7. My 5 year old is happy with her DSi, i wouldn't trunst her with a notebook TBH.

sleepindogz · 22/07/2011 21:09

my 20 something stood on my notebook

now has a great big black footprint for ever on the screen :(

nancy75 · 22/07/2011 21:10

my dd (6) has got an i-pad. Is that the same as a netbook?
She uses the i-pad for loads of things, it has lots of educational apps, as well as games and stories, she gets quite a bit of use from it.

LynetteScavo · 22/07/2011 21:10

Just be prepared for him to set up his own facebook account and spend hours chuckling at youtube,

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:12

He loves YouTube. He likes to watch episodes of Dinosaur King on it!

We havent gone down the Nintendo DS route yet. No doubt half his new friends at Reception will have one and it'll be number one on his list!

I'm thinking he'll get more use out of an actual computer rather than a games console though...

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ihatecbeebies · 22/07/2011 21:15

He wouldn't really be able to play with it unless supervised incase he drops it down the stairs/'feeds' it a cup of juice/takes it out to play in the paddling pool/use it as a trampoline...(you get the point).... and since it is his very own he might get frustrated at not being able to play with it if you are too busy to supervise him when he decides he wants a shot.

He might get bored of it quickly too, I gave my 4yr old my DP's old iphone (without the sim) and put loads of great kids games on it to play, he loved it but eventually grew bored and it was forgotten about.

Since it is such an expensive thing I'd save it until he was a bit older and would better appreciate such a great present.

Fooffy · 22/07/2011 21:16

Feels a bit young to me but there again I suppose you know how your own child will manage with it and treat it. Presumably you will be completely on top of what he can access and frankly I can't think of an alternative.

At five though DS was still using things like his VTech portable. Is there nothing like that he might fancy?

angel1976 · 22/07/2011 21:18

How much will you be spending? We are very lucky and got a iPad (the first version) last Christmas from a friend who works with Apple in the States so she got a good discount. It's almost used exclusively by DS1 (3.5) and DS2 (20 months old) and we use it as well when we are travelling (very useful for entertaining them on the plane etc). IMO, the iPad is perfect for toddlers, it's so instinctive. But we would never have bought one for the DSs at that price if not for the fact it was a gift. So depending on how much you are spending, you might want to consider the iPad (maybe second-hand?).

Indaba · 22/07/2011 21:20

yes, get him in the park climbing trees, thats what 5 year olds should be doing

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:22

He has no interest in the Vtech type ones.

I know it's too young, that's why I started the thread I guess..

I just know he would love his own computer to go on and it would be cheaper and would take up less space than a desktop.
it would also leave me free to mumsnet while he stares at funny dog clips on youtube

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jbabyj · 22/07/2011 21:22

personally if i couldnt find anything that isnt a waste of money i jusy wouldnt buy a present. is that tight? maybe a nice day trip or a party and let friends and family waste their money on 'things'?

ihatecbeebies · 22/07/2011 21:23

You could get him this apcmag.com/peewee-pivot-tablet-laptop-for-kids-launches.htm it is drop and spill proof! But if lots of other children at school will be wanting a DS why not be one step ahead and get him one now instead of the laptop?

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:23

Yes Indaba because it has to be one or the other doesnt it...

Just because i'm asking about a computer does not mean he doesnt get physical activity in the woods and park we live right next to...

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AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:24

jbabyj, that is a good thought actually.

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Nagini · 22/07/2011 21:27

Agree you should do the day out.

I won't let my DS alone on you tube because one minute you are looking at a laughing baby and then the next link is disturbing and sick :(

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 22/07/2011 21:30

Get him a dsi instead, the screens on netbooks are a wee bit small for youtube tbh

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:30

That's why i thought netbook would be good. He could sit in the same room as me and I could supervise, wouldnt leave alone on the thing that's for sure!

I'm liking the no big present though, just some "bits" and a nice day out. Thanks jbabyj I think i'll go with that tbh. damn sight cheaper too

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Dancergirl · 22/07/2011 21:40

I wouldn't.

You know, we all complain about our children growing up too fast but WE'RE encouraging it! Yes I know we live in a technological age and children are growing up computer-savvy.... but all these things in good time I say.

If you buy a 5 year old child a netbook/I-pad, what on earth will you get them in 3 or 5 years time when they're bored of it...?

Buy him some books....you know those paper things, remember them?

nancy75 · 22/07/2011 21:42

you can have books and a computer, we've managed it without too much trouble.

DialMforMummy · 22/07/2011 21:42

What Dancergirl said.
I imagine that a netbook is quite expensive. If this is so, I'd be worried about teaching my child the value of money.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/07/2011 21:49

Dancergirl I buy DS books almost every week! (in my defence I work in a toy shop and get good discount)

DialM Just because something is expensive doesnt mean I can't teach DS the value of money!

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BabyDubsEverywhere · 22/07/2011 21:50

We're getting DS one of These for his fourth birthday in September, its cheap enough to experiment with and for him to learn to use/look after. He uses my iphone etc all the time and i have no worries about being able to supervise/his treatment of it. And most of all, its his birthday and i think he will really like it, thats a good enouh reason for me.

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BabyDubsEverywhere · 22/07/2011 21:52

I wouldnt bother with books, get a kindle

jbabyj · 22/07/2011 21:52

glad to be of service :) ive got a thing about spoiling my ds, the more you give the more they want, all xmas an bday money so far is in a savings account so when hes old enough to want for expensive things he can buy them himself and learn the value of money good old memories are worth so much more than shiny new things

Dancergirl · 22/07/2011 21:55

So OP if he likes books why not buy him a really nice hardback book that he can keep going back to (like one of those Hutchinson's ones). They make lovely presents. And a day out somewhere. Personally I think it's a bit mad to buy a 5 year old an electronic toy costing hundreds of pounds but that's my view.

It sounds like you've made your mind up anyway!

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