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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

All 3 of the DCs new Tablet PCs have now been smashed.......

169 replies

TeenTwinsToddlerandTiaras · 12/01/2013 13:43

I mean ffs can't they make them bloody bounce. One bigtiny fall on wooden floor and they are buggered.

DD's lasted about 3 days until the toddler threw it. DS2's lasted about a week longer until it was sat on and DS1 is now in tears as his has just smashed on the floor when I grabbed it out of his hand cos he was'nt listening to me as usual.

I bought them so they would'nt keep arguing over the laptop. SHIT!

OP posts:
jamdonut · 12/01/2013 14:40

My 16 year old DD has an Iphone4 on contract. She's had it 4 months. Last weekend she dropped it in the toilet (before she had used it!!!!) It was working when she fished it out, then after half an hour it wouldn't turn on. Cue panic and teenage misery. We used a hair dryer to try drying it out,then a couple of hours later gave up and went down to O2. We were told it would probably cost £200 or so to repair!! Just as we had given up hope, the man who was looking at the phone and had it plugged in to a charger said "Oh, it's come on!" . And lo and behold it booted up and has been working ever since,apart from the flash (which we are hoping will dry out eventually). We were so relieved!!! She is usually so careful, although she dropped her Blackberry about 18 months ago and got the" ink-stain screen". Luckily, that got sent away and we didn't have to pay for that one,for some reason!!!

3rdnparty · 12/01/2013 14:41

use this! put on ds ipad as soon as he got it (7)...I'm a childminder so it's used by kids from 3 up...yes they are careful but this gives me peace of mind........... more shopping inspired by mnet actually...

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007XOQ3BQ/ref=asc_df_B007XOQ3BQ11446567?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B007XOQ3BQ

taking it off not an option Grin

PaellaUmbrella · 12/01/2013 14:41

Sounds like none of your children are mature enough to understand that tablets aren't toys.
I wouldn't replace them - I'm sure you have a family PC which they can use for homework etc if needed.

nagynolonger · 12/01/2013 14:45

OP is not getting much sympathy but I for one will sympathise (a bit!).

Mine have had phones stood on/lost/stolen/dropped down the toilet. We have also had a couple of accidents with laptops. Accients happen. Fortunately our accidents didn't all happen close together.

I'm guessing that these were the DC main Christmas presents and with one exception (sitting on it) the DC aren't really to blame. I do think some posters are being a bit harsh they are slightly older DC but they are still young. Teenagers can be as clumsy as toddlers when they go through a growth spurt and lose all coordination.

Some critisised OP for spending too much on her DC. That really is her business and nobody elses.

I would replace the 16 yearolds if you can and maybe get something a bit more sturdy for the others to share.

PureQuintessence · 12/01/2013 14:48

Well, you have an important decision to make now.

Replace and they learn that money does not matter and they dont have to be careful.
Dont replace, and and they might learn to be more careful with their belongings in future.

Booyhoo · 12/01/2013 14:50

" I don't feel particularly guilty about DS1's as he does walk around with it and ignores me (especially as I've taken them to the cinema and KFC this morning but he still decided not to do the homework he's been told to do 10 times so far) and it drives me nuts so hopefully it will be lesson learnt. "

is this a joke?

you broke his tablet in your bad temper but you dont feel bad because he was driving you nuts so he deserved it? Confused

purplewithred · 12/01/2013 14:55

Sympathy for the OP from me. I got an iPad Mini on Xmas day and dropped it on Boxing Day, cracking the screen. Luckily it still works.

greenplastictrees · 12/01/2013 15:03

Side issue to the ops problem but may be of interest/use to someone, when DP bought me my IPad the man in the shop dropped it onto the hard floor of the shop to prove it wouldn't break! This was after DP said how clumsy I am and he was concerned I'd break it. Obviously it was the display model not my actual iPad he dropped!!!

TandB · 12/01/2013 15:05

So was any of this actually the three children's fault?

The first one was thrown by the toddler - possibly left lying around, but still not directly damaged by its owner.

The second one was sat on - by who?

The third one was broken by the OP.

If they've all had their Christmas presents broken by someone else's carelessness then yes, I think they should be replaced, and then the whole family needs to have a bit of a think about some ground rules for the care of expensive items. If it was partially their falt (eg left lying around somewhere they shouldn't have been) then I think they should have to make a contribution to the cost, but not pay the whole amount. But if they really were stupid and careless with them then no, they should just have to live with not having them anymore.

But the one that the OP broke should definitely be replaced asap.

lockets · 12/01/2013 15:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

crashdoll · 12/01/2013 15:12

Bad luck is dropping one tablet. Between your children, they have smashed 3 in less than 3 weeks! It's laughable that you call it bad luck. Regardless of the price, they should learn to be careful with their things. It would be more understandable if they were 7 yr olds but they're 11, 11 and 16! Ridiculous!

FairyJen · 12/01/2013 15:13

Really op this could have been avoided by simply saying if you dont use the case your not having them.

Dp used this on me with his iPad. I works. Smile

ipdipdog · 12/01/2013 15:13

This is bullshit and a wind up. No one is this stupid.

Biscuit

I also find it a bit sad that 5 year old get laptops/tablets for Christmas.

MammaTJ · 12/01/2013 15:15

My two younger DC had a tablet each for Christmas. They went to Nanny and Granddads a few days after Christmas. One of them left their charger there, the other one got chewed by our dog. So, the tablets are fine, but no chargers. Nanny has posted one and I will buy another on Tuesday, when I have some money.

MammaTJ · 12/01/2013 15:17

iddipdog

I also find it a bit sad that 5 year old get laptops/tablets for Christmas

The OPs 16 year old and two eleven year olds got tablets.

My 7 and 6 year old did too. What of it?

Tee2072 · 12/01/2013 15:19

Sadly, ipdipdog, some people are this stupid.

I don't mean about buying children tablets/laptops. That's your choice.

I mean about buying new ones when the old ones are broken due to carelessness. That's stupid.

CheCazzo · 12/01/2013 15:23

ipdipdog - funnily enough the OP's last big thread was a bit like that too!

HyvaPaiva · 12/01/2013 15:27

OP, you said 'I don't feel particularly guilty about DS1's as he does walk around with it and ignores me (especially as I've taken them to the cinema and KFC this morning but he still decided not to do the homework he's been told to do 10 times so far) and it drives me nuts so hopefully it will be lesson learnt'

Well you SHOULD feel particularly guilty. That's a ridiculous attitude and it isn't how lessons are learned. Children learn by example and the above is your example. No wonder your children don't know how to look after their things.

MikeLitoris · 12/01/2013 15:29

I also find it a bit sad that 5 year old get laptops/tablets for Christmas

Why exactly?

PickledInAPearTree · 12/01/2013 15:34

Why do people find it sad?

In olden times were people sitting around in disgust at children getting pencils and slates??

IT'S JUST MODERN TECHNOLOGY FFS!!!

diddl · 12/01/2013 15:35

So you broke the 16 yr olds-so I think that you should replace that.

As for the other two-depends if it was their fault that they were sat on/broken by the toddler.

If they were just left around I wouldn´t replace.

I´d leave it until they can be bothered to put stuff in a safe place.

D0oinMeCleanin · 12/01/2013 15:38

Ofgs, I knew that would be brought up!

I use the main PC for studying. Dd2 cannot often get access for that reason.

She likes to practice her spelling and typing.

TotallyBS · 12/01/2013 15:42

One of the tablets fell when the OP grabbed it off her DC as opposed to her smashing it in anger, is how I read it.

Although I was one of those giving the OP grief for giving tablets to kids with a history of gadget abuse, I think it is ridiculous to make the argument that one shouldn't spend that kind of money on children. It's like saying that you shouldn't spend £x on a piss up when there are people who can afford £x on food.

It's no ones business how the OP spends her money.

LIZS · 12/01/2013 15:43

They sound too immature to respect the fact that these are not toys, even those old enough to know better. Are they used to you just replacing expensive items if they get casually lost or broken ?

TotallyBS · 12/01/2013 15:43

.. who can't afford ...