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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:
JjingleBeanplusPudalltheway · 06/12/2011 00:02

YANBU,

My ipod touch has withstood a year of use from a just 3 and 4yo, so was 2 and 3 when they started using it. They're pretty rugged, and were considering getting ds one next year as we looked at innotabs etc and it seemed easier and the apps are cheaper etc. Plus he won't grow out of it, and I can add it to mybubble insurance. I personally can't see the difference between an ipod and a dsi/3ds.

Knickname · 06/12/2011 00:08

If they are restricted to half an hour electronic play time a day, why would they need an ipod touch each? Could they not use your phone for that time? Or at least share one?

Also, assuming they play some of the same games, would you be happy paying to download duplicate games? Or can these be shared between devices - I'm not a techie.

wheredidyoulastseeit · 06/12/2011 00:17

YANBU BUY THEM IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT

south345 · 06/12/2011 02:38

My 6 year old has had one for a year, and ds2 (nearly 2) can use it, yanbu

flyingspaghettimonster · 06/12/2011 03:33

We got an ipod touch for the kids as a part trade for something or other... they had it one day and lost it and it was never seen again. Somewhere in the house. That was how well they respected having their own one. They are 5 and 7 too. They also got DSIs this summer to take to England and keep them quiet on the flights. Only one made it back to America - got to have my daughter's shipped over. I'd definitely think twice about actually buying them an ipod touch at that age as kids really don't respect electronics well when they own them so young.

LetmethinkNO · 06/12/2011 09:12

wheredidyoulastseeit

Great name, but awful philosophy for bringing up children.

BarmyBiscuit · 06/12/2011 10:21

My 4 year old has an iPod touch. I think the people telling you that they are too young, don't know how good they are for development and learning. They are also a lot more robust than they look.

DeliaSucksStollen · 06/12/2011 10:36

Enlighten me, BarmyBiscuit, how can a IPod touch be used as an educational/ developmental tool for a four year old? I'm sure there is the odd game here and there that claim to do that, but is it anymore beneficial than a book, lego/ building toy, creative/ crafty gift? It's all down to personal choice at the end of the day of course, and IMO this is not a great one - especially in the context of the OP.

pictish · 06/12/2011 10:41

4 year olds are simple wee creatures...easily pleased.
An ipod touch for a four year old. It's so surreal it's funny.

Still, someone's got to keep the pressure up amongst the parents eh? We can't have kids asking for inexpensive and age appropriate toys that fire up their imaginations can we? How boring is that?

NotnOtter · 06/12/2011 10:43

Much too ypung

SantasStrapon · 06/12/2011 10:45

I may just follow pictish around today, and agree with all her posts. Or possibly, she could just write 'SarahStratton agrees with me' at the end of them all.

Yes, it is good that they can use stuff like this, but surely it is better to be stretching their imaginations by letting them play with physical toys, or making things.

bemybebe · 06/12/2011 10:48

"Whatever happened to just saying "No" to kids? Buying a 5 year old an iPod because you can't set some boundaries?

Oh - just in case there was any doubt - YABU. Your DH sounds like he has his head screwed on the right way, on the other hand."

Spot on.

DeliaSucksStollen · 06/12/2011 10:51

It makes me a bit depressed actually, this mindless consumerism, the early age all this crap starts...

zukiecat · 06/12/2011 10:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bemybebe · 06/12/2011 11:03

The main issue is not that iphone is expensive, lazy, not age-appropriate or just NOT a toy (though I totally agree with all the statements), but that OP's motivation for buying one for each of her dcs is so she doesn't "have to fight to get [her] phone" back from her darlings.

FFS

ArtVandelay · 06/12/2011 11:03

I'm really confused now. I've just been on a thread where the poor mum got slated for spending 45 pounds on a warm winter coat for a 2 year old and here people are advocating spending hundreds on a gadget for children not much older.

(sorry if that is bad form, referring to another thread, I'm just Shock at what is deemed good and bad spending sometimes)

bemybebe · 06/12/2011 11:06

I do not believe anybody would be slated for spending 45 pounds on a warm winter coat for a 2 year old. Sorry

DeliaSucksStollen · 06/12/2011 11:08

Yes, I agree OP's motivation is way off target too, bemybebe. It's wrong at many levels.

4madboys · 06/12/2011 11:16

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! and everything else pictish has said, wtf would you buy one for a 5yr old, hell i wont let my 12yr old have one! he has no need for one we already have a wii and ds and they are getting an xbox kinnect asa JOINT present to share for xmas. there is no way i would be getting my kids an ipodtouch. my kids are getting lego, a bike for one of them, crafty stuff, some tinkerbell toys and little figures to play with and use their imagination!

and as for your phone JUST SAY NO!!!! its not theirs its YOURS!!

zukiecat · 06/12/2011 11:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bemybebe · 06/12/2011 11:29

blimey

4madboys · 06/12/2011 11:32

see £45 on a GOOD coat seems ok, buy it big and will last two years :)

i spent £35 on a coat for 12mth old dd, its a one off handmade item, is bloody gorgeous and warm and i will sell it on once she has outgrown it.

4madboys · 06/12/2011 11:33

actually dd is also getting a fleece lined waterproof all in one suit thingy from jojo mamam bebe, its £40 got it big so it should last two winters and again i will sell it on once she outgrows it.

but £150 on an ipodtouch for a 5yr old!! you are having a laugh!

EricNorthmansMistress · 06/12/2011 11:34

YABU
You can access the Internet unrestricted on an iPod touch. You don't see the problem in that?
Plus it's an expensive electronic gadget for primary aged children
Plus your DH doesn't agree with it

My DS is 3 and he hands my iPhone back when I tell him to. You need to learn to be more firm with your boundaries around it.

manicbmc · 06/12/2011 11:38

If your 7 year old can't tell the time yet may be he could do with a watch and being taught instead of being stuck in front of some gadget?

The word to these kids is 'no'. You sound like you should use it more often.