Would someone please spare a moment to explain why its a good idea to buy an 11 and 8 year old an iPad 2 EACH for christmas?

[PiperBeeley]

I think its a totally ridiculous idea, BUT I'm happy to admit if im wrong! Ex dp's girlfriend and her ex are buying their 2 sons this for this Christmas, and now ex dp is saying we should do the same!!! Is it me? Am I being out of touch or something? I think its madness!

[scurryfunge]

Total madness.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Can't see a problem if they can afford it and the children are reasonably careful with their possessions. It's no different to buying a computer/x box/wii/dsi. A lot more useful than most of those actually.

[Valetude]

They will play games endlessly and alone = peace.
Of course you may not like 'endlessly and alone'.
You can read on it too, Kindle app (for eg) is v good and tons of books available for kids too.

[PiperBeeley]

Lol at light sabres! Well, id have to agree on the whole useful apps and books - that is true! but i still think its too young to have such expensive items!! I think if one is bought for 'the house' for all family members to use, to read, learn and play - yeah thats a brill idea, i suppose pretty much what its designed for right?
But just for the kids and one each, im sorry but if i had a billion in the bank id still never even consider it! Im all for children learning to appreciate and respect property, and when my son's (also 11 and 8) are old enough to fully appreciate and use something like that responsibly and to its full use/potential i would be more then happy to let them have one, but at the moment, at this age - it just seems like a 'flashing the cash' - 'look at what ive bought my kids!'

[Itsjustafleshwound]

Do you really want to go down the road of making sure your boys are keeping up with the Jones's - do they really want one ???

I think it is madness ...

[Hulababy]

Their money, their choice. It's not madness if they can afford it and that is what they want to buy.

Some children are responsible and sensible enough to look after things like this at those ages. My 9y regularly uses my iPad and I would trust her entirely with it. She has her own iTouch and has had for a couple fo years and it has never had any problems from her use whatsoever.

[trixymalixy]

Far too young for something so expensive IMHO.

[DurhamDurham]

I think if they can afford it then it's not a problem at all, not worth going in to debt for obviously. It's all relative, what seems expensive to one family is affordable for another. Some children just get stocking fillers and their parents may think you spoil yours/spend too much.
It doesn't bother me what other people buy their children at Christmas, I don't try to compete. I buy my girls what I know they will love and what I can afford

[Stormwater]

They're fab, and with properly supervision obviously can be great educational tools, used for reading, you can put movies on, email, skype, all sorts. If they look after them, it's a great thing for them to have if you can afford it and want to choose that particular tool rather than a laptop or whatever. My ds practices his writing and phonics, he watches zoo cams, he draws pictures, he does puzzles and mind games, all sorts - he is three, and borrows mine. It's a great way for them to become interested in technology (essential for their future) as they're so easy to set up and use. What's the downside?

[PiperBeeley]

thats just it tho, i really dont think its about "if you have the money why not?" - they are 11 and 8 years old!! I have family/friends who are wealthy enough and ive seen the "anything they want they get" effect, and its ridiculous!
Itsjustafleshwound - my problem is that ex dp is the one i think trying to 'keep up with the jones'' - im the one that thinks its a silly idea! Has christmas become "the more i spend the better parent i am" for some people??!! I buy what my children are interested in, what i know is something they are into and would get alot out of - surely thats what its about?
They have an xbox, a wii, a 3DS, and we have a laptop which they can use freely for all info, learning, games, homework etc. It seems this is something that people are pretty divided about, but i seriously dont think it should be about if you can afford it why not, it should be about buying a gift you know they will love and is age-appropriate!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I think it's bonkers. Not so much re the money because if they can afford it then that's not an issue but I do wonder what on earth children will expect aged 15/16 if they've had all this expensive 'stuff' aged eight.

But I am both a luddite and an old fogey about these things, I suspect.

[TrillianAstra]

Do you think there is anything actually inappropriate about an iPad?

Or are you just shocked at the money?

If the parents have that much money to spend why shouldn't they spend it on something their children will love?

[WhiffOfBath]

Complete lunacy.

[trixymalixy]

They are fab, my kids love being allowed to have a turn on mine, but to buy them one each at that age?!?!?

Fair enough buy one for the family to share, but two is too much.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Yet again here's the myth that presents must get more expensive the older you get. Who the hell made that law? If you get an iPad for your 11th birthday there's nothing written in blood that subsequent years must get more expensive. That's madness.

I'm pmsl at the op deciding that the parents in question are buying these things to flash the cash and they should buy something their kids will love instead. I can guarantee that the kids will love iPads and the only one bothered about how much it's costing is you!

[mumeeee]

I think it's madness. What will they get when their teenagers. Anyway I think an iPad is just a glorified IPod and nit as useful as a laptop.

[LikeACandleButNotQuite]

I agree with Maryz presents should be specific to the age of each child. I would probably get the 11 yo one, if responsible person etc, but definety not the 8 year old.

Money allowing, of course

[PiperBeeley]

GwendolineMaryLacey - im certainly not 'deciding' anyone is buying things purely to flash the cash, if they were to buy their children a £1000 bouncy castle for the back garden - thats suitable, still crazy money, but thats not the point! - an iPad is NOT a childrens toy!! And im pretty sure the kids would love a monster truck on the driveway to play with too - doesnt make it a good idea!

[Pagwatch]

I have a 14 year old and an 8 year old.
Personally I wouldn't do it.
But some of the reasons why not on here are a bit batty.

Why do people always post about presents and birthdays 'but if you get them x this year , how will you beat that next year?'
Do people really think that each year they have to do better?
Very odd.

And I know this is becoming my mantra but spoiling children has very little to do with what you buy for them on a birthday or at Christmas. It is to do with how youbteach them to be grateful and appreciative and how often you say no during the year.

A child who gets bought sweets everytime they ask is just as likely to be spoilt as a child who gets extravagant Christmas presents.

[Earlybird]

Nothing wrong with having one the dc can use on a limited basis, but to give a child of that age their own shows a lack of imagination in the gift-giving department, imo.

And, it could lead to a lack of imagination in the child too (why play creatively, using their imagination when they can have the immediate gratification of 'plugging in'?).