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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 20:00

Assistive technology apps on ipad are fab too for SN. Not sure about android. The two I am the most familiar with are not available on android.

quirkycutekitch · 27/08/2014 20:02

I think I would update my ipad and give DS the older one as you may find he prefers the one he's used to anyway!

I bought a second hand 1st generation ipad for my DS(3) and he uses it most days for about half an hour to an hour (watching you tube videos of showers and extractor fans!) Defiantly worth the money!

They have them at the school he starts next week so I'll be looking to add the apps they use there to it also. I think they are fab!

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 27/08/2014 20:04

Who said anything about keeping them busy until they leave home?! We are out all day, I said it's useful for him during that 45-60 minutes when we get back and I'm cooking his tea and throwing a load of washing in.

Also, I'll say it again... I'm not buying an iPad because of its speed; I'm buying it because I can transfer all the apps/movies I've bought. They all add up, and I doubt the difference between an android thing I'd have to replace everything on, and an iPad where I can use everything I've already about, would be that much different. Plus then they won't go to waste. Also, I'm happy with the level of security you can set on the iPad. Not so sure with android. Plus I like the large keyboard and the ease of use.

OP posts:
Osospecial · 27/08/2014 20:09

Thanks lattelover Smile

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 20:10

Ziggy let's ignore the infighting :) What was your Mum's objection?

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 27/08/2014 20:11

Also, a lot of you sound like my nan when she tutted at my mum for letting me watch the Poddington Peas and those hippies with the guitar singing at lunchtime before preschool. Apparently it was needless and spoiling me, a three year old doesn't need television and to allow me to watch 45 minutes of TV was extravagant, especially since my mum had it easy because I was the only one at home.

Technology is a way of life now, and as long as it's controlled and supervised correctly it can run in people's lives quite happily.
You can either purse your lips until you implode, or you can teach your children at an early stage about sensible use of technology so everyone has a good time.

OP posts:
Original poster
ziggiestardust · 27/08/2014 20:12

latte she just said she didn't think children should use computers and he should be outside in the fresh air playing with his scooter.

Which, fair enough... But kind of harsh sending him out in the driving rain Grin

OP posts:
Waltonswatcher · 27/08/2014 20:13

Latte
Nope ,no sarcasm!
I am always questioning the whole issue ,and this thread popped up as I was discussing with husband the chances that our lives are probably harder as a direct result of restricting tech.
I have always believed that it shouldn't play such a huge role in kids lives . My kids are perfectly normal or should I say average . Averagely normal ! They crave it the same as other kids I reckon .
Anyway, for this thread I vote no ... 4 is too young .
I'm with the granny !

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 20:15

Right - so it's not that it's a iPad and expensive, her reaction would have been the same if it had been an Aldi 70 jobbie?

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 27/08/2014 20:17

Yes it would. She nearly imploded with cats bum mouth when my aunt bought him VTech toys on his first birthday Hmm

OP posts:
LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 20:18

waltons - why do you think it's advantagous to restrict your children's access to technology? and why do you and your husband think it's making your life harder? ... and if that's how you feel, do you think the advantages outweight the disadvantages?

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 20:24

Ziggy - it would have been interesting to see how the thread would have gone if you had posted 'tablet' not iPad Grin

Anyone who thinks 'v-tech' is akin to buying heroin can be safely ignored.

I suggest you adopt the 'Is it worth it?' technique with the things you tell/ask your mother Grin

The new ipads should be out in October, I'd wait until then & see if you want to pay the money for a new one and give him yours or get him one a bit cheaper. He's 4, he's already getting what he wants for his birthday, he can have this just for being lovely :)

quirkycutekitch · 27/08/2014 20:25

I think Waltons allowed internet time has expired Grin

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 20:26

Grin I can't get the bloody theme tune out of my head now! It would be an interesting discussion if she comes back.

kungfupannda · 27/08/2014 20:32

I wouldn't buy a 4 year old his own tablet because it then potentially becomes that much more contentious when you want to limit screen time.

My two both have access to my ancient iPad, but I don't let them spend long periods of time on it, and I don't let them play with it just because they decide they can't be bothered to do anything else. If I let them, they'd play with it for hours. As it stands, they have to come and ask to play on it. If I say no, they accept it.

If DS1 had his own, he'd be constantly sloping off to play on it, and there'd be whinging and moaning if I took it off him. I think it just has the potential to change the way it is viewed, if a child has his own. There's nothing else that the DSs own that I need to monitor or restrict in any way. I wouldn't want to be saying 'yes, I know it's yours, but you can't use it right now.' If they have something, I want it to be entirely theirs, and entirely accessible.

If you're set on it, though, I'd go for a reconditioned 1st generation one off ebay. It'll be a quarter of the cost, and entirely adequate for what it will be used for.

ICantFindAFreeNickName · 27/08/2014 21:02

If you can afford it, I would get it. I think Ipads are brilliant for all ages, as long as parents monitor their kids use of them.

Most schools use ipads rather than other tablets, so he will not get confused between different tablets.

I always find the app's that I want to use are for apple rather than android.

Get him to draw grandma a nice picture of her on the ipad and she will soon be won over.

Lifesalemon · 27/08/2014 21:02

Thanks latte
You got me thinking about the theme tune, couldn't place it so googled, it all came flooding back. Now i can't get it out of my head! Grin

squoosh · 27/08/2014 21:07

I think it's beyond crazy to spend a hundreds of pounds on a 4 year old's birthday present.

APotNoodleandaTommy · 27/08/2014 21:13

If you're cooking, surely he can use yours, instead of growing up having it reinforced that if he likes something, he can have it Hmm
Books make nice presents... Colouring books too...

Diryan · 27/08/2014 21:13

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

Yep, you're right, it is tough shit for them. They dont get to use my iPad, they have limited access to a cheaper tablet which is slightly slower.

God forbid a child should have to wait!

curiousgeorgie · 27/08/2014 21:15

You just proved my point.

curiousgeorgie · 27/08/2014 21:16

Ziggie - why doesn't your child have a colouring book?!!! Ffs...

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 27/08/2014 21:17

What?! He's got books! And colouring books! FGS, how patronising are you?!

OP posts:
Diryan · 27/08/2014 21:19

And I agree with waltons - we restrict access too, and it does make our lives harder. Would be so much simpler to stick children in front of their tablets. But it's not "technology" we're restricting as someone said above, it's screen-time. I agree some apps/games are educational, but lots are mindless crap.

Diryan · 27/08/2014 21:21

Yes, curious, I know I proved your point. That's why I said "yep, you're right..." at the beginning of my post Hmm

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