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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:
curiousgeorgie · 27/08/2014 21:24

Ziggie - ignore people who assume your iPad is a substitute for normal parenting... It's ridiculous Wink

appealtakingovermylife · 27/08/2014 21:30

My ds got an iPad a couple of years ago when he was 9, the novelty soon wore off and it never gets used now:(

Dd is 3.5 and loves playing on my Kindle Fire, much lighter and cheaper.

She wasn't interested in the iPad.

I personally wouldn't spend that much on a 4 year old unless you Get it insured.

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 27/08/2014 21:55

lifesalemon Oops, sorry Grin

Diryan waltons posted I am beginning to wonder if our desire for technology limited childhoods ... SHE used the terminology.

30 minutes a day wouldn't even cover getting their homework done here and it has to be done online.

Waltonswatcher · 27/08/2014 23:20

Haha quirky!
It makes life harder because we have to monitor the iPods carefully and then go through the misery of removing them after the times up. It can cause rows-or rather temporary blips that you'd rather not suffer . Dd 15 is ok, but Ds has a few 'issues' and can get easily get hooked - not just to techy stuff btw.
He can get into real strops about handing the pod over . His 'issues' are always worse though if he's ever been on the screens for longer.
And surely if they are not having screen time they are in your face more - hence making your life harder!
Dd15 is beginning to be tiresome and I can see how easy it would be to let the screens take over .
Like every parenting choice it's personal . And usually irrelevant in the long run!

Sparklypants · 27/08/2014 23:29

My DS is getting an iPad mini for Christmas, he'll be 3.4.

He uses my full size ipad at the moment ( about 1hr a day, sometimes a little more, or little less).

APotNoodleandaTommy · 28/08/2014 06:55

My point remains, that you claim you want him to use it at times when you can't entertain him. Surely in that case, he can use yours then?
No. You clearly want to prove a status point.
When will you realise that throwing money at a child devalues money long term?
Totally with Pictish

MrsWombat · 28/08/2014 07:19

My 6 year old technically has his own ipad (as does our unborn child!) and has been using ours since he was three. But I would never tell him it was "his". As far as he's concerned Daddy has an iPad mini (for business) and we have three other iPads in the house (of various types and conditions) for family use. IPads are something we just have in the house and can be used if asked as part of screen time like the laptop and TV. I don't like the idea of an ipad (or DS, Tablet etc) being his to own as I think it just causes too many rows. (like his lego marvel superhero game on the playstation, but that's another thread)

At three he mainly used educational apps with the odd video on holiday. He learnt all his phonics over the course of a weeks holiday at the in laws using the ABC pocket phonics app on the plane journey and between breakfast and going out for the day. At 6 he uses it to play minecraft and angry birds and watch you tube videos on the Apple TV.

I have no problem with pre-schoolers using iPads but don't like the idea of them "owning" one. Could you use the money to buy a "family" ipad?

FunkyBoldRibena · 28/08/2014 07:36

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.

If he is using it just whilst you are busy, then why not let him use yours? Problem solved.

merlehaggard · 28/08/2014 07:50

My son is 3.5. Last Xmas when he was just 3, I bought him a leappad and said that when older (probably 5) I will buy him some form of tablet. It may or may not be an ipad, but I do genuinely think iPads are the best (having previously had a kindle hd) and fear that if I buy anything else he may still want my ipad. To be honest, I know he would. He plays with his leappad, if I take it with us, but clearly prefers iPads as rarely plays it otherwise. I think in today's age, when kids see an ipad, it's graphics and how responsive it is, they do prefer an ipad. Infact, reviews of leappads say that they are great for children who haven't yet played on their parents iPads and got used to the quality and responsiveness of them. If you can afford it, and you get one of the very good protective cases for it, then I don't see why not. It would cut out the middle man and the only downside I can see is that it is less robust. They are also great for tv too. Something you don't get from leappad.

However, I don't regret my decision as I like having something that he can play and hold no matter where we are but there are 3 iPads in our house for him to play on (I've got 2 older daughters who have them). If I were you though, I would go for an ipad.

Twentythree9teen · 28/08/2014 08:01

Buy him an iPod Touch. Lot smaller, lot cheaper, essentially the same thing.

DaisyFlowerChain · 28/08/2014 08:27

APotNoodle, why do you think throwing money at children devalues it long term?

It's nobody's business what people spend their salary on unless they are not feeding their children or neglecting them obviously. Some go for the one toy a year, some spend more. You'd likely say all sorts if you knew what I spent on the first Christmas and birthday Grin

Technology doesn't have to replace other things but it does enhance our daily lives. I wonder when they invited the washing machine if it got this much angst as no more exercise washing down by the lake.

HappydaysArehere · 28/08/2014 10:08

I'm with your mum. Get him books and read them with him. That screen is addictive. I should know as I am in bed on this darn thing instead of getting on with a heap of more useful things.

gamerchick · 28/08/2014 10:11

I wouldn't.. I couldn't even go through with an order for my 14 year old.
Apple stuff is so pathetic if it's knocked sightly even.. there's no way I would trust a 4 yr old not to drop.

The hudl is much more sturdier and cheaper than an ipad.

EarthWindFire · 28/08/2014 11:35

I've already bought him what he asked for, which was the barbie dream house from Toy Story 3, the barbie and ken and a diesel works from Thomas the Tank, along with some engines because he likes them.

All of this and an iPad seems an awful lot to me for a 4 year old for his birthday. Blush (and no it isn't bitterness or because I couldn't afford it, because I could. It just seems a heck of a lot)

Each to their own I suppose

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 28/08/2014 11:46

I would just buy what he wants. Save the Ipad for when he is older.

pictish · 28/08/2014 12:28

EarthWindFire it doesn't 'seem' a lot...it IS a lot. In fact, it's a fuckload.
What to buy the child who has everything?
An ipad apparently.

Christ.

curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2014 12:30

Pictish - I don't really understand your venom towards the OP... Is it jealousy??

squoosh · 28/08/2014 12:31

I'm not jealous and I think that sounds like one whacking great list of presents for a 4 year old child.

pictish · 28/08/2014 12:32

Jealousy of what exactly?

curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2014 12:36

Squoosh - you haven't spent the entire thread being downright nasty to the OP though. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but Pictish seems to be so personally offended..

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 28/08/2014 12:40

Erm no, it's not a status thing

He cannot always use mine because I often need to use it for recipes whilst I'm cooking because I'm not very good at it.

I AM USING AN IPAD BECAUSE I CAN TRANSFER HIS MOVIES ONTO IT SO I DONT HAVE TO WASTE THE ONES HE ALREADY HAS.

Now, can you understand that or are you a little hard of thinking?

It's irrelevant which tablet I buy him. I've said I'll put it in a case, which u linked to, which makes it indestructible for little hands.

Pictish, you are starting to sound a little bitter.

OP posts:
FairlyUseless · 28/08/2014 12:44

Poor OP. I read this thread thinking that 4 is young for an iPad... Then I stopped and thought about it. My ds is very nearly 3. I have an iPad which we use for cbeebies streamed live (all in bed, lovely cuddles and postman pat for 15 mins). He doesn't use games as, at the moment, he likes puzzles and play doh. We use it for jolly phonics and YouTube educational things like that. We use it with him, only occasionally leaving him to it whilst I cook tea or wash up - just like the OP. If I had the money, I would buy another as DH has clogged mine up with apps and stuff. We'd have my one and a 'family' one.

I think sometimes people on here like to put others down for spending money on their kids. This holiday I've spoilt DS rotten. He's had a treat everyday, be it a babyccinno or a new book. I've spent loads because I could afford it.

If the OP had asked which designer handbag she should buy everyone would say, 'oh what a lovely treat'.

FairlyUseless · 28/08/2014 12:46

Oh, and I get the transferring app thing too. I would buy another iPad for the reason too. Grin

alwayssleepy · 28/08/2014 12:54

My 4.5 year old son uses my iPad, and it would be great if we had another one to put all his apps and movies on! They take up a fair bit of room, so would like my ipad nice and clean for my own use.

He's not addicted, I just tell him its time for me to go put it on charge and take it away. He loves watching mickey mouse on it, and playing puzzle games. The educational app he has for maths skills has taught him loads.

So I think it's fine for a 4 year old to have an iPad, and I wouldn't go get any other tablet, as your original content will be all wasted.

(though in my house he could have the old one, and I would have the nice new one!)

EarthWindFire · 28/08/2014 13:00

OP I'm not really sure what you posted for? You are going to buy him one anyway so why even ask the question? Hmm