Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Does an 8 yr old need an Ipad?

37 replies

Catrin · 19/11/2013 22:22

ExH and in laws want to buy her one for Christmas.
My opinions:

she hasn't asked for one
her friends don't have one

Their opinions for:

it is a cool thing for a kid.

I reckon kids can live without stuff like that. Especially as mine likes books and dolls and Mr Maker and cooking and playing schools. SHe wants a new bike and a manicure I have said that if they want to buy it, their money, their choice, it is entirely up to them, but it will have to live with either him/them. Apparently, this ruins everything…
So. AIBU? Prepared to hear I am, but don't think I am!

OP posts:

Original poster

Catrin · 19/11/2013 23:11

I completely agree with all pps, I am sure they are fun. (I also agree a manicure is not appropriate and Santa will overlook that too.)

I just feel that while she is a (young) 8 yr old, and enjoys other things, this is not the best present at this time. When she is with me, we do other stuff, which is why I said that it could stay at her father's, as there is no point it being here when she already has access to an Ipad, computer and her DS - and ignores them all in favour of her dolls, or other toys. I love that she loves her dolls and yes, shoot me now, would like her to play with them until she tires of them.

OP posts:

Arcadian · 19/11/2013 23:14

No one needs an iPad. I'm tying from mine now, but I don't need it.

rednellie · 19/11/2013 23:14

Op I'm with you. Especially as she has access to several ipads/computers. Stick to your guns.

AnnaCatalina · 21/11/2013 14:42

I wouldn't want someone to get my child such an expensive gift, and also have them risk breaking something so valuable / make other kids jealous. There are plenty of cheaper things like the Kindle Fire which is in colour but designed for reading. It is a lot cheaper and smaller, and just as good in many way;
versus.com/en/apple-ipad-4-vs-amazon-kindle-fire-hd-2013

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 21/11/2013 14:46

Personally I would stave off buying anything like that if she has not shown any desire....

why get them on screens early when they show no interest?

Then when she does finally want one, they can forfill her desires?

I have been agonising over what to do this year, every shop with i pads, innotabs out DD has been running to them begging to stay and play, after much agonising I decided to hold off another year, and get her a hudl next year.

I got mine the basic innotab as it was reduced in argos, to 35. its basic enough for her to not be tooo addicted to it....

However I would have been over hte moon if we could have by passed the whole thing altogether.

If it was me, and my DD showed no signs of wanting one, I would most def hold off.

why the rush to get them glued to screens!

IslaValargeone · 21/11/2013 14:48

My pil bought one for my dd when she was 10.
I didn't know in advance they were buying it otherwise I would have said no. (Which is probably why they didn't mention it)
It has been the source of more arguments than I can count.
Don't go there.

EmmelineGoulden · 21/11/2013 15:02

YABU. Of course she doesn't need an iPad. She doesn't need any Christmas presents at all or any of the toys you already let her play with. But stopping her from having her iPad at home? Why would you do that? Put reasonable restrictions on it if she needs them, but most likely she will use it a lot at first, then go back to her dolls, then start using it a bit more as she gets older. Could be great for facetiming with her father and grandparents. Don't block her from choosing what she enjoys and box her into toy choices that simply suit your idea of her.

notso · 22/11/2013 11:31

YANBU I don't think an IPad is a toy. I don't let my DC use mine, DD 13 is getting one for Christmas. I would have liked to wait a few more years but seeing as DD has wanted one since they came out I guess it's a compromise. I am anticipating arguments though as we will be restricting it's useage.
My 6 year old cousin had one last Christmas Day, it was broken by New Years Eve.

NewBlueCoat · 22/11/2013 13:33

my 9 year old has had one for 3 years now, and not a scratch on it. and she takes it into school everyday, so it is shoved in her bag and bumped about occasionally. there are easy ways to protect an iPad should the need arise.

in fact, my now-6 year old has been using an ipad or ipod touch since she was about 2, and again, no problems with breakages. she has just inherited her older sister's old ipad (just upgraded dd1's to a mini, as lighter and easier for her to handle), and I expect to be able to hand it on to ds in time.

HomeHelpMeGawd · 22/11/2013 13:45

The OP mentions that the DD wants a bike and a manicure. I think an iPad is a better gift than a manicure, tbh. But not better than a bike.

fuzzpig · 25/11/2013 12:41

Have you reached an agreement yet?

ProfPlumSpeaking · 25/11/2013 12:49

YABU EVERYBODY needs an ipad .

Seriously, if it's on offer then accept gratefully. If your DD likes books then use the kindle app. If she likes drawing then use the Brushes app (she can take it with her anywhere and have all the materials she needs to capture scenes). If she is creative then she can play Minecraft. If she wants, she can play junior scrabble with her friends or, I am certain, download all sorts of educational apps.

An ipad is a method of provision of material. It's what you put on it that determines whether it is positive or negative. Generally they are miraculous.

As for encouraging her to play for dolls for as long as possible. Well, in your idealised version of her future do you want her to be a SAHM all her long adult life or would you like her to have other larger visions, dreams and hopes as well?

Flip

1 2