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Original poster

I broke DS tablet wwyd?

138 replies

Thenonstopcleaner · 04/06/2026 14:06

Long story short DS got a tablet for Christmas. His behaviour changed over night he became nasty smashing things lashing out. Completely different child! Half term last week he covered the garden in fence paint and the kitchen and also himself whilst I went to the toilet. When I came back and seen what he had done I lost it with him I threw his tablet and it smashed. Since then it’s been peaceful and his behaviour is getting much better.

The only issue is DH parents got him the tablet for Christmas and DS went and told them. They said to ds I need to apologise and replace it but we won’t be doing that. Should I just give them the money? DH also thinks it’s disrespectful but also agrees we’re not replacing it.

wwyd?

OP posts:
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EmeraldShamrock000 · 07/06/2026 13:48

He’s 4, fgs, see a therapist.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 07/06/2026 13:47

I wouldn’t replace it but I wouldn’t have smashed it up either, your behaviour was bad reacting to his bad behaviour. His bad behaviour may or may not be related to the tablet as it sounds like he lives in a bad tempered environment. 🤷‍♀️

I would have taken it away, dropped it at the charity shop.

fluffiphlox · 07/06/2026 13:46

A four year old doesn’t need their own tablet but they do need a level of supervision and engagement.

DontBuyAnotherBook · 07/06/2026 13:44

luckylavender · 07/06/2026 13:41

I find that ridiculous honestly. And so irresponsible. There are all sorts of things you could have done including giving it back to them & explaining your reasoning or selling it.

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Could even have sold it and got some shopping.

Teethyblinders · 07/06/2026 13:44

luckylavender · 07/06/2026 13:41

I find that ridiculous honestly. And so irresponsible. There are all sorts of things you could have done including giving it back to them & explaining your reasoning or selling it.

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Giving it back would have resulted in an insufferable argument with the mil which I didn’t have the patience for. Sure probably could have sold it I was 18 when ds was 2 so you’ve got to give me a break though

DontBuyAnotherBook · 07/06/2026 13:44

You could have done what we do and only access to certain programmes? Tablets aren't always bad. Everything in moderation.

TempestTost · 07/06/2026 13:43

I'd have taken the tablet away too. Get a replacement gift. Tell grandparents that it is up to you to decide if a toy is harming your child and their father as grees in this case.

Behaviour like your son's isn't at all unheard of with devices. It's a kind of withdrawal.

Edenmum2 · 07/06/2026 13:42

My 4 year old uses her cousins tablet sometimes and it turns her into a completely different child. It’s wild. She’s normally calm and happy and any time she has it she has multiple meltdowns when her time is up.

I get that they want you to replace it but you get to decide if he has it or not

luckylavender · 07/06/2026 13:41

Teethyblinders · 04/06/2026 14:54

When my ds was 2 the in laws brought him an iPad.
Me being staunchly against kids wasting their childhoods rotting in front one of those it went straight in the bin. I didn’t tell them and they have no idea.
I never quite got why anyone would buy such a young kid an iPad anyway when there are so many toys you could have got?

Honestly never felt bad about wasting their money. Buy a better present next time.

Yes I’m aware I could have let him play it a little and had rules around it or whatever but who wants to hear a kid begging to have that all day instead of enjoying their childhood? that’s what I used to watch my little brother do to my mum he could never just enjoy the day it all revolved around “when I get home can I play on the iPad”.

Depressing.

I find that ridiculous honestly. And so irresponsible. There are all sorts of things you could have done including giving it back to them & explaining your reasoning or selling it.

DontBuyAnotherBook · 07/06/2026 13:39

Duvetdayneeded · 05/06/2026 05:59

4!! How would a 4 year old get access to that type of paint!!!!!! And be able to smear it in the garden and house…

I suspect she isn't supervising very much at all. Bit longer than a toilet trip.

Teethyblinders · 07/06/2026 13:23

Chocolate23 · 04/06/2026 17:46

How awful you had to grow up in a household like that.

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And yet I turned out fine. Far better than many of my fellow Gen Z’s who get anxiety ordering pizza because their parents were wetwipes obsessed with feelings and let them sit in front of a blue rectangle for their every waking moment.

Bluedenimdoglover · 07/06/2026 09:26

Tell your in-laws that you will replace it with an item of similar value but he is not to have a tablet. Explain clearly why you are not allowing a tablet and draw a line under it.
Get him a bike, or scooter, trampoline, Lego...

Moonnstarz · 07/06/2026 07:39

What's the difference between watching things on the laptop compared to the tablet?
Is the issue here that the grandparents bought the tablet without mentioning it and DS liked it so much you were angry about it for that reason?
I think as you broke it you should be giving him something to replace it and making it clear to the grandparents what you have done. If you don't want him to have the tablet then it's fine to say he's a bit young so instead I have bought him a swing for the garden instead to keep him active.
Though as others have suggested maybe there is more to this whole situation - you are not well,which can make the whole childcare situation harder so is he acting out because he is bored, wants attention, not being given much to do (e.g. was the tablet time unlimited as it was more convenient initially).

SparklyLeader · 07/06/2026 04:20

Return the money. Make your husband give it to them. You are doing the right thing for your child.

diddl · 06/06/2026 15:28

ForeverTheOptomist · 06/06/2026 11:34

... because that would have been lying? Or is it ok to lie to a child?

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In this case yes if it was causing such drama.

ForeverTheOptomist · 06/06/2026 11:34

diddl · 04/06/2026 14:39

So why didn't you just tell him that it had been put away?

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... because that would have been lying? Or is it ok to lie to a child?

Duvetdayneeded · 05/06/2026 05:59

4!! How would a 4 year old get access to that type of paint!!!!!! And be able to smear it in the garden and house…

Lougle · 05/06/2026 04:34

Thenonstopcleaner · 04/06/2026 15:11

He’s 4 year old. This whole thread is turning toxic so I won’t respond again for the sake of my own mental health. But thanks to the people who gave good advice. I’m going to offer them the money back but I can’t imagine they will want it.

You didn't mention his age in your OP. For some reason I thought he was 10. I can't see why now. I still think it's not a good example to break something and then not replace it, but I also don't think a four year old needs a tablet.

That said, now that I know his age, I don't think the original incident was his fault. A four year old won't appreciate the consequences of playing with paint.

AlternateLook · 04/06/2026 21:47

Solaitt · 04/06/2026 21:41

Nah. There’s absolutely no excuse for throwing and breaking an expensive item which was a gift for her son.

It’s abusive behaviour.

If a gown man did or would you have the same reaction? Would he be ‘vulnerable’?

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If you say so, I don't agree, though.

Solaitt · 04/06/2026 21:41

AlternateLook · 04/06/2026 17:45

Classic MN pile on. The poor OP's pretty vulnerable and at her wit's end, and the 'experts' on here proceed to trash her. No wonder this site has its own page on Reddit. This forum's a laughing stock at times.

Nah. There’s absolutely no excuse for throwing and breaking an expensive item which was a gift for her son.

It’s abusive behaviour.

If a gown man did or would you have the same reaction? Would he be ‘vulnerable’?

tommyhoundmum · 04/06/2026 19:48

Thenonstopcleaner · 04/06/2026 14:26

No I said we wont be replacing the tablet. Of course I apologised to my boy.

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I think many of the replies on here were unkind given your son didn't see you smash the tablet.

Anyahyacinth · 04/06/2026 18:56

Stand firm. If necessary share articles about the harms. Can't believe they don't believe in consequences and supporting parents.. sorry OP 💐

shhblackbag · 04/06/2026 18:25

Thenonstopcleaner · 04/06/2026 14:13

Is my post that outrageous? 🤣

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You don't think it's outrageous to smash and break your child's tablet - or any tablet? It is.

beeautifullif3 · 04/06/2026 18:23

Sounds like total shite parenting again tbh op

culty · 04/06/2026 18:18

How long was he left alone? How old is he?

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