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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

My dad bought DS age 6 a mobile?!

23 replies

whethergirl · 27/12/2011 14:13

My dad is on his way here. He already asked what to get ds for xmas, discussed it with ds, and decided that he needed a shelving unit for his toys.

My dad has now just phoned me to say he's got the shelving unit, but he is now in an O2 shop getting a DS a pay as you go and can he have my postcode to register it. Unfortunately, DS could hear every word of this and was going "AWESOME!" in the background. I said "A phone? Why would he need a phone?". My dad said "You never know. Anyway I'm getting him one."

I can't imagine a single situation when DS would need a phone and think this is a silly idea. He is 6.5 and I would not get him a phone until he is much older and when his friends have one. But what can I do now? My dad is going to turn up with a phone and DS is going mad with excitement.

Shall I just grin and bare it, be happy for DS, and just know that it's a waste of money and hope DS won't be constantly wanting to make calls? I can not afford to keep toppping up his mobile.

BTW, I am very bad at answering the phone, returning phone calls/messages. I have a feeling this is another way of my dad having access to me!

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 27/12/2011 14:16

It is a waste of money...if you don't want to return it just let him play the games on it and teach him never to dial the emergency services unless he needs them.

A shelving unit is a weird present for a 6yr old though so I don't blame your Dad for buying something else.

However, a phone at that age is unecessary.

sitandnatter · 27/12/2011 14:17

You told your Dad to get a shelving unit for a 6 year old. I'm not surprised he wanted to get him a gift he'd get a kick out of too.

The six year old doesn't have to use it just as a phone it will have music on it, games and other stuff to tinker with. Don't get too stressed over it is my advice.

If it needs topping up then get Dad to top it up, it is his gift.

Theas18 · 27/12/2011 14:20

Grin and bear it. Hopefully it'll be forgotten/ used for the games on it before long.

A couple of tips - if it has Internet capability go into the settings and turn it off ASAP - you don't want him accessing stuff h shouldn't ( quite apart fom the credit disappearing). Even pretty cheap phones now seem to be blue to use Internet- I hate this I must say.

Secondly if he does use/ need it consider swapping to a giffgaff sim pretty cheap on p&g and the goody bags are great (£5/ month or the basic ones which are good for even my 12 and 15 yr olds) and giffgaff to giffgaff calks/ texts are free

Original poster

whethergirl · 27/12/2011 14:23

That's true, never thought about the games etc.

Re the shelving unit, my dad specifically told me he didn't want to get any toys for ds because he already has enough toys and he knows that I struggle to afford basics for DS. It was going to be snow boots and winter shoes as he really needs these but we decided against it as ds is really fussy with shoe comfort and would need to be there to try it on.

DS has been sharing my bedroom until recently when he finally got his own bedroom. My dad helped out with getting bedroom furniture but there were still some things (i.e. shelving unit to store his toys) that he needed and he knows that a shelving unit is not on my list of priorities in terms of what I can afford. I asked ds how he would feel about getting a shelving unit to store his toys (as I would have just told my dad to get him a certain toy) and he said "Perfect!".

OP posts:

Original poster

whethergirl · 27/12/2011 14:25

Thanks for the advice Theas18 re internet, will do that asap.

OP posts:

sitandnatter · 27/12/2011 14:28

What a lovely non materialistic child wished I had one of those. I know what Id have got told if his present was a shelf.

busybusybust · 27/12/2011 14:29

Totally inappropriate - but the solution is quite simple really.

Let him use the current credit, and then just don't top it up.

Haziedoll · 27/12/2011 14:30

Usually I'm of the view that a gift is a gift and you should be grateful for anything, however I do not believe that a phone is appropriate for a 6 year old. As one poster said let him play the games on it and then put it away until he is older. I would also suggest having a word with your dad and explain that a phone is normally something you would buy a teenager and you would prefer more age appropriate toys as you don't want him to grow up too soon.

sitandnatter · 27/12/2011 14:36

I wouldn't Hazie, the Dad sounds absolutely lovely and he did ask prior to Christmas about what the child wanted. I bet he felt awkward "just" getting him the shelf and wanted him to have a fun toy too. He's been a fab Dad helping to get the child's furniture, I'd take it, show Dad the child having fun with it, then as others have said when the credit is gone it's gone and let him use it for games.

It's being given with love and excitement I'd accept it in the same way, it's a long time until next Christmas.

Original poster

whethergirl · 27/12/2011 14:56

Ok, my dad just gave phone to DS who is now feeling very grown up. Dad is now putting up shelving unit with DS.

My dad told me he worries about me being all alone with DS, that he lives too far away to check up on me. He said it would just be a good added safety measure, also that it would good for DS to have if we were out shopping, in case he got lost. I told my dad once that I got ds a walkie talkie because sometimes when we go to the park, he forgets the "don't go anywhere I can't see you rule" and I have to shout across the park to tell him to come back into sight. But I told my dad the walkie talkie was shit and didn't work so my dad also had this in mind.

So with all that in mind, I think it's actually a lovely present!

OP posts:

Canella · 27/12/2011 15:02

My MIL bought a cheap mobile for ds1 when he was just before his 7th birthday - I also had the same reaction - why would a child that age need a phone???
But 4 months down the line, he's probably used it 10 times. He phones my MIL sometimes and maybe dh when he's at work but the novelty quickly wore off since he's not allowed to take it to school.

Canella · 27/12/2011 15:03

Pressed post too soon - so I wouldnt worry too much about it if you just keep it as something he uses to phone his grandad.

PaintYouFestive · 27/12/2011 15:06

Your dad is BU. You don't give a child that age a bloody phone! Idiot

Original poster

whethergirl · 27/12/2011 16:44

PaintYouFestive you can call my dad unreasonable but don't call him an idiot.

OP posts:

HoHoHoudini · 27/12/2011 17:00

there is more than a whiff of research that points to potential brain damage to children from the use of mobiles.

I'm sorry, but I think it IS idiotic to buy an INFANT SCHOOL CHILD a mobile.

If I were you OP, I'd put it on ebay and use the money to buy the shelving unit/winter coat/shoes that your boy REALLY needs.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 27/12/2011 17:05

Is it my age? I thought you meant a baby's mobile spinny thing you hang above the cot!

My DSs got mobile phones in Year 6, so the novelty wore off before secondary school. They hardly ever call anyone and just play games on them. It will be fine.

sprinkles77 · 27/12/2011 17:19

ellen i thought exactly the same thing!

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 27/12/2011 17:39

Sprinkles, if you truly are from 1977, it can't be my age, then!

TheAnnoyingSatsuma · 27/12/2011 17:43

LOL EllenJane and Sprinkles. I thought exactly the same thing and was wondering what style of mobile. My DSs have a lovely one with planets circling the sun!

spiderpig8 · 27/12/2011 18:50

I thought that too!!

sprinkles77 · 27/12/2011 19:13

Yes, I am from 1977, so nowt to do with age!

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 27/12/2011 19:14

Making me feel sooo old...

Original poster

whethergirl · 27/12/2011 20:43

I forgot about THAT kind of mobile.

I am aware of the dangers of mobile, for both children AND adults, but this kind of danger is only relevant for prolonged usage. The odd 5 min phone call from my mum or dad doesn't worry me too much.

I think DS sees it as another toy, and just likes the idea of having a phone. No I would never have bought him one myself, and still thinks it's a daft idea. However, I don't think it'll get used very much and the only time I'll encourage him to use it is if we do go somewhere busy - not that I've ever lost him before but it's extra peace of mind I suppose.

My dad also gave DS £50 spending money so he'll get something decent too!

sitandnatter - he's not that lovely. My mum got him clothes (as well as toys) for xmas, and everytime he opened a parcel with clothing he literally threw them over his shoulder....

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