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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy my DS an iPad for his birthday?

323 replies

ziggiestardust · 27/08/2014 15:49

He's going to be 4, and I think it's be a great idea for him to have his own. He watches movies on mine at the weekend, we take it in the car for long trips, and it's got some games and stories on there too. I'd love to be able to free up space on my iPad by giving him his own.

It's just a posh LeapPad isn't it really?

My mum is getting all incredulous and puffy cheeked about it, but I had a Sega Megadrive when I was about his age and played on it after school with my friends. At least this would get more use! She seems to have forgotten that bit though Grin

AIBU?

OP posts:
Lifesalemon · 27/08/2014 18:55

If wanting your child to have the best you can afford makes you a fool then don't worry OP, I'm a fool too. There seems to be quite a lot of us around.

AgaPanthers · 27/08/2014 18:55

"We originally bought her a cheap android tablet that was slow and unresponsive and the graffics we're rubbish. I know its personal preference apple vs android but I would choose apple every time. It does everything she needs it to quickly and never freezes or buffers like the android and in my opinion are a lot easier to use."

That's because you bought a cheap Android tablet, rather than a decent one. A good Android tablet won't freeze or buffer either.

Actually there are some decent cheap Android tablets, not as good as the latest brand-new ones of course, but you can't just march into Tesco and buy a £60 tablet and hope it will match a £500 iPad.

Lizardc · 27/08/2014 18:55

There are some unpleasant tones to some of the posts here! I have no issue with an iPad fir a 4 year old. My 4 year old has one (I got a new iPad mini, he got my ancient IPad 1st generation). I agree that, at 4, they would find it frustrating to use something else they are not used to. I do, so why wouldn't they? Just because they are children does not make them somehow less important than me, or less worthy of respect of their opinions. That doesn't mean they get what they want all the time, but that's not the situation here.

I would just do it - the only thing I don't know is why you felt the need to ask! :).

pictish · 27/08/2014 18:55

Every four year old that wouldn't be sated with a lower end tablet that is...
How ridiculous we have become.

InculKate · 27/08/2014 18:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Eauneau · 27/08/2014 19:00

This thread is hilarious!

Imagine a 4 year old having to use a tablet that isn't quite the same as what he is used to.

The things kids have to endure these days. Sad

Lifesalemon · 27/08/2014 19:07

Aga
But the issue being discussed was wether a CHEAP android tablet is as good as an Ipad and my point was, in our experience its not. If we had bought a high spec android I agree it would probably be better but what I posted was more in reply to posters claiming that cheap android was good enough.

Glittertwins · 27/08/2014 19:09

Our two have had full access to our iPads from the same age and haven't had a problem with doing anything daft with them so I don't think you are totally unreasonable. We did consider upgrading ours and then handing the old ones down but we found out that the school's learning website didn't work with mobile devices. We got them full laptops instead at the age of 6 and they use the iPads for games.

noblegiraffe · 27/08/2014 19:09

My DS (just turned 5) has had access to both a Hudl and an iPad. He started out using an iPad so that's what he is mainly used to. I just asked him which he thought was best and he said Hudl, because it's got a particular game on that he likes.

He didn't mention anything about speed or buffering and I conclude he doesn't actually give a shit about such things.

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/08/2014 19:13

Since android have roughly twice the processing power for the same money, you could buy an android for half the price and use the hundreds of pounds you have left over for a decent case and all the films and apps you want.

If you just want to buy an iPad so your 4 year old can have an iPad, go ahead.

curiousgeorgie · 27/08/2014 19:13

Pictish - I think you mean princess? If you were referring to the best for my child that is. Hth.

Diryan - it doesn't need to be 'tough shit.' She'll have an iPad. But tough shit for your kids though eh?

OP, ignore nasty comments. It seems to be a crime to be able to afford nice things for your children on here.

Lifesalemon · 27/08/2014 19:14

glitter
iPads AND laptops for 6yr olds, that won't go down well with some posters! Grin

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/08/2014 19:14

Oh and one of the most important life skills a child can have is knowledge of delayed gratification. Buffering is the tech version of delayed gratification Grin

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/08/2014 19:18

Marshmallow experiemnt. Remember we are supposed to be raising these children, not just keeping them busy until they leave home!

Glittertwins · 27/08/2014 19:21

Well they can suck it upWink. One PC and two children's school work is inconvenient as it would take twice as long to do and they aren't using our secured work laptops!!

Lifesalemon · 27/08/2014 19:23

isn't delayed gratification to do with waiting for something better so not the same at all. With buffering you are just made to wait longer for the same reward.

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 19:25

Oh I am so looking forward to all the Christmas threads.

Not.

Osospecial · 27/08/2014 19:26

I don't see any problem with buying him the iPad, my dd (5) has used and loved mine for the last few years and when I bought myself a new one around 4 months ago she has had the old one. Saying that I would have no problem buying her a new one as IMO it's definitely worth the money. I wouldn't bother getting the latest version as I find the iPad 2 is still excellent but I would get as many GB as possible as films/tv programmes take up a lot of space. And we have a griffin survivor case and its virtually indestructible! It has had drinks spilled on it and dropped down the stairs by accident and I don't have to worry about it breaking. It has excellent educational apps, a lot of which are free or very cheap to buy and if you already have programmes it will be compatible with I would definitely stick with the iPad.

InculKate · 27/08/2014 19:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BikeRunSki · 27/08/2014 19:27

Ds will be 6 next week. He's getting a reconditioned Hudl. DH wants his iPad back!

Osospecial · 27/08/2014 19:33

My dd has ASD so the ipad apps have been particularly good for teaching her letters, numbers, typing etc as her strengths are in her visual skills and most importantly it motivates her to learn these things as she loves playing the 'games'. She has little understanding of verbal instruction so it has been amazing for her development and I'm sure she would not know half as much as she does without it.

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 19:37

Oso that's lovely to hear :) How old is your DD?

Osospecial · 27/08/2014 19:42

She is 5 next month

Waltonswatcher · 27/08/2014 19:42

Blimey , we are archaic .
Dd15 has iPod 30 min a day. ds12 same. Dd 2 has nothing obviously. And the ipods happened only after years of thinking about it. There's 1 tiny tv in the sitting room , dd2 not encouraged to watch and so far totally disinterested. It's only switched on for a specific viewing .
I am beginning to wonder if our desire for technology limited childhoods is making our parenting hard work. These things must make households happier or else people wouldn't spend so much money on them , would they?

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 19:59

Oso I hope she continues to get so much out of it :)

Waltonswatcher - I think you might be being sarcastic, but I'll answer as if you aren't :) I don't think buying/usingthink technology is about being happier than those without it - it's just modern life. No different than a washing machine or a book.

I don't know if your desire for technology limited childhoods for your children is making your life harder or not, but unless you are living in a commune and expect your children to live in one for the rest of their lives, you are probably making their lives more difficult.