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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I or is dh, re kids presents

161 replies

rogersmellyonthetelly · 05/12/2011 17:45

I have 2 kids 5 and 7. I am constantly pestered to allow them to play on my iPhone. Understandably I'm getting a bit pissed off with this as I have to fight to get my phone, and should they break it its not only bloody expensive to fix but also I'm without a phone.
I'm strongly considering buying them an IPod touch each for Christmas, as they do the same job in terms of games but don't cost the earth. Dh says they are too young and it's tough shit. Thing is he isn't the one who is wittered at constantly for the phone and has to listen to arguments about whose bloody turn it is. AIBU to be considering buying them one each from me as their present and leaving dh out of it?

OP posts:
nailak · 05/12/2011 17:47

I don't think they are too young.

OhTheConfusion · 05/12/2011 17:50

We have bought DD7 an ipod touch for christmas as her older brother9 has one and she is forever nabbing his or mine.

I think 5 is a bit young but younger kids always seem to get things earlier as their siblings do (or atleast they do in our house) so I understand why.

GiserableMitt · 05/12/2011 17:50

Are you me?

DS is constantly in my ear bugging me to play with my iPhone. I don't mind too much in the car or when he's sat on the sofa at home.
DH is the one who gets pissed off saying it's not a toy and if DS breaks it I'm without a phone (I live overseas, they're bloody expensive here, and I've already dropped one iPhone down the toilet and fucked it up completely). I suggested getting an iPod Touch or iPad with Airmiles to keep the little bugger DS away from my phone, but DH says no, he's too young.

oldmerryolesoul · 05/12/2011 17:50

Concentrate on getting your kids to respect your things and you saying NO to them and meaning it.

They are 5 and 7..... no way should you, their parent be 'fighting to get it back'

Original poster
rogersmellyonthetelly · 05/12/2011 18:00

I'm just a bit worried that if I go ahead and buy without telling dh he will go off on one on Christmas morning and I don't want a bad atmosphere.

OP posts:
diddl · 05/12/2011 18:02

I would say that they´re both too young tbh.

Is the novelty only with yours because it´s yours?

Would they really use them?

Don´t children ever want bikes/toys/games anymore?

What on earth would you get them next year?

slavetofilofax · 05/12/2011 18:03

You can't do it against your dh's wishes. That would be very disrespectful.

If you are getting pestered, maybe you shouldn't have let them play on your phone so much in the first place. Or you should have taught them that it is a adult thing and they are allowed to play on it only as a very special treat occassionally, so they wouldn't have began to expect to be allowed to play on it all the time.

I'm with your dh, they are too young.

Hulababy · 05/12/2011 18:05

I do think you and dh need to agree somehow and wouldn't go and just buy.

However I don't think 5 and 7 are too you for an I touch. My 9y has had one for a couple of years and it is great. She uses it for music every day on a docking station, as well as games every so often too.

picnicbasketcase · 05/12/2011 18:06

I know what you mean, my DC are 4 and nearly 10 and always want to play on my iPhone. But I wouldn't buy a child under about 12 an iPod Touch, purely because of the price and breakability of them. I don't think they are old enough to look after something so expensive.

theincredibequeenofwands · 05/12/2011 18:07

Say no to them playing with your phone - it's not a toy!

Buy them a games console instead.

Hulababy · 05/12/2011 18:07

Diddl - in dd's case she got toys the following birthday and a video camera the Christmas after. Each year doesn't have to be bigger and more expensive. Nor does having an electronic gadget mean that toys nd games and bikes are no longer wanted or bought or played wi, they are not exclusive to each other Ime.

birdsofshoreandsea · 05/12/2011 18:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Megatron · 05/12/2011 18:08

Personally I think it's a bit young. My kids (also 5 and 7) are were always after my phone. I said No, it's my phone, it's expensive, you're not having it. It's not like they need to have this kind of thing. They don't even ask any more.

AwayinaKayzr · 05/12/2011 18:08

My 4 and 2 yo DSes are always wanting to play on my iPhone but I wouldn't get them an iPod.

It's simple IMO you say no they can't play on it or please give me my phone back. Works 99% of the time here.

Indith · 05/12/2011 18:09

They only know your phone is a shiny toy with games on it because you have in the past shown them that it is a shiny toy with games on it. If you don't want them plahying with your phone then don't let them.

Everyone has different opinions on what age is ok for electronic stuff like a ds or an ipod, I'm not going to comment on that but even if you buy one you will still have the begging to be allowed to play on it and the fighting over turns.

JamieComeHome · 05/12/2011 18:09

I think you should give them rules, not give in for the sake of an easy life.
If you get them some kind of cheaper handheld game, which is more appropriate,IMO you will still have to have rules about it.

omaoma · 05/12/2011 18:09

defo get them something vaguely exciting to play games on - between them - and institute a new rule that comes with it, that your phone is off limits and they need to draw up their own rules on sharing for the new toy

CroissantNeuf · 05/12/2011 18:10

Are they just playing games on it?

If so get them a Nintendo DSi or something like that. Its more robust and ..well...aimed at children.

MrsRhettButler · 05/12/2011 18:10

How much are they and could you get second hand ones?

Dp gave dd1 a blackberry that was a bit battered just so she could take photos and make videos as she always nicked mine.

JamieComeHome · 05/12/2011 18:11

Call me old-fashioned, but why on earth should you (an adult) be fighting for the use of something which belongs to you, with two small children?

MrsRhettButler · 05/12/2011 18:11

Dd was 5 at the time so I don't think they are too young but then dd1 has basically everything electrical that a lot of posters on here disagree with.

tardisjumper · 05/12/2011 18:12

Can you get DP an iphone so he has to share his?

JamieComeHome · 05/12/2011 18:13

nobody "has2 to share with anyone. Just say NO

WineOhWhy · 05/12/2011 18:14

My extremely sensible 7 year old DD got a camera for her birthday. She dropped it on a hard floor and it broke. She would like an IPad or IPad touch, but she understands now why i think she is too young. Yes there is a chanc she could drop and break mine, but because it is mine i have more control over where/when she plays it.

Personally I think it is important that they learn sensible use first before they get their own, and if they squabble and fight over yours, then they have not learnt sensible use. I also agree that you should not do this against DH's wishes. If they get their own and you try to limit screen time in a sensible way, they will probably argue abotu that too. That is not to say DH should get his "own" way, but you need to discuss it and agree a sensible compromise.

TheProvincialLady · 05/12/2011 18:15

You should buy them one of everything you have that they want to play with. Or teach them to respect other people's belongings. Whichever you find easiest.

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