Am I or is dh, re kids presents

[rogersmellyonthetelly]

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?

sorry - I don't mean to sound mean. I think we all struggle with this sort of thing nowadays

I loathe it when my kids (13 and 15) play on my phone. I go all twitchy. They switch the sound off so I don't notice, but then I miss subsequent calls, and they alter settings and do other irritating things with it.
At least, they used to. Not any more. I SAY "HANDS OFF!". But, to be fair, they are old enough to have their own gadgets nowadays.

I agree with those poster who commented on young children not needing mobile phones.

I actually would have held out on getting my ds one until he was at secondary but dh thinks I am holding him back technology wise-dh bought it btw.

I still think op has a strange idea of parenting and should learn to say no to her kids

I'm just of the opinion that if it were dhs phone they were pestering for they would be no objections, but because it's me having to listen to it he can sit on his high horse and preach about it.

So... Is there more to this dispute than an iPod?

Your DH sounds very sensible.

How silly - ipods for 5 year olds. What's wrong with Lego and Playmobil?
I'm with your dh and I think your reasoning is preposterous....you're coming up with any old shit you can think of to justify this inappropriate spend. So what if they pester you for a go on yours? Say NO and point them in the direction of the toybox!

5 and 7 is quite young, i have a 5 and 7 year old and im pretty sure they would end up breaking them or losing the or otherwise destroying them especially the 7 year old. We are a computer loving house our business is based around them so our childrenn have access to computers and ipads etc but only when they sit properly at a table where they are unlikely to drop it down the toilet or spill a drink over it etc.
If your dh was in agreement then i would say well its uo to you but the fact he isnt makes it seem strange for you to go ahead - they are not cheap little gifts.
If you dont want them to play with your phone just put it somwhere they cant get it?

Well done pictish. Just say 'no'- if they don't like it then it is their problem! They are small children, they need age appropriate presents.

Why can't you buy one between them as a joint present?

Well, I'd guess that the answer to that would be that the OP is fed up of them squabbling. In which case, the thing goes out of circulation every time they argue about it. EVERY TIME. Until they get the message.

Aren't the innotabs and elonex ( from toys r us) aimed at kids and v v similiar?

Personally op I think the problem firstly, is your DH and his lack of enthusiasm! Wont he ask what the dc are getting?

Lady, show me a kid who doesn't when they see the stuff on an iPhone. They do share, but there are inevitable arguments as at their age they can't tell the time. The do do as they are told, and when there is an argument it is removed.
I'm not planning on going behind dhs back as I don't think that's good in a relationship. He didn't want them to have ds either, I did eventually persuade him and after a peaceful flight to turkey with ds to entertain them he thinks they are bloody wonderful. I just think he has been listening to his mother again who is technophobic and thinks electronic games are the work of the devil.

It's just so daft!

It's like if your 5 yr old dd wanted to take your Muberry bag to school, thinking 'oh I'll just buy her one of her own! That'll stop her from using mine!'

Some things are NOT for little kids....like sodding ipods!

Loads of children don't pester for their parents' phones. Because theyve been brought up not to. They understand the word 'no'. FGS just grow a backbone, listen to your DH, and buy them some age appropriate toys.

You are doing your children no favours by not teaching them that they can't have anything.

I don't know why you let them play with them in the first place. If they get upset they get upset.Tough.

muLberry...obviously...

This site needs an edit facility!

my ds [5] and dd [6] have one each and my 3 year old loves playing on them, so no def not too young, one of the best things we have bought

Just because a kid can navigate their way around a gadget doesn't mean it's appropriate agewise or otherwise. I'd think that you'd want children to keep away from that kind of thing for as long as you can- and not give it to them for Christmas to placate them!

Not everyone wants to keep kids away from this kind of thing though quirrel, let's face it, it's the age of technology and it's gonna help in life to be able to navigate around these gadgets.

I personally don't see any harm in it myself but then I'm a strict parent and dd knows what the word no means and she doesn't often push me once I've said no.
I know people disagree with the amount of electronic items dd owns but fwiw she enjoys skipping, trampolining, dancing, playing out with her friends, painting, making things from scrap cardboard and glitter, swimming and most of all playing in the garden with the dogs. I don't think that dc having gadgets should automatically mean that their childhood is disappearing and they no longer know how to play.

I wouldn't for the break ability factor if nothing else!

Also like others have said i cant see how rewarding them for not doing as you tell them is a good thing?

Chances are they would get bored of them in a week anyway when the novelty wears off!

Yes indeed...you will find one or both of them lying somewhere unregarded, covered in ick and fluff, and not taken care of. It doesn't matter how many times you say 'you must look after these' - they will nod solemnly and promise to do just that, but they won't because they are little kids.

Then you will shake your head and say 'damn - I wish I'd listened to pictish'

if you can afford it get them. your decision.

but if you do get ipod touch or ipad get a good case like griffin survivor or otterbox defender case which protects against drops so adds another 20 to 30 to the price but worth the investment

My boys (4 and 5) used to play with my iPhone a fair bit - they had their own folder of games on it (some fun, some educational) and there was no arguing.

We have "time rewards" for good behaviour - doing as you're told without being asked more than once, politeness, tidiness, good work at school etc - like an ongoing star chart. Each reward is 5 mins iPhone time. They can spend up to half an hour a day (timed with the oven timer), more at weekends. Obviously only if time earned!

Worked so well (astounding improvement in behaviour from both) that they now have an iPad instead (in an OtterBox to protect it, but so far they have taken impeccable care of it). It has wifi but I've turned off Safari, YouTube, in app purchases etc.

So I'm going to go against the grain and say YANBU and neither are they too young!

Oh & for Christmas they are getting beanbags, mini torches, colouring stuff, chocolate coins and Lego (from us / Santa / wider family). One large item once does not require escalation!