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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:
pictish · 28/08/2014 13:01

Bitter about what?

To me, this a thread about four year olds being bought their own ipads, which is something I wouldn't do, because I see no credible justification for it, other than sheer status driven indulgence.

Plus, I am reading posts from people here, who think that their four year old child waiting an extra two minutes for a bloody cartoon to buffer, is a hardship that they shouldn't have to face! Confused
This thread is surreal. I'm not jealous...I'm aghast.

InculKate · 28/08/2014 13:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pictish · 28/08/2014 13:32

And no - the sense in the transference of films and apps doesn't escape me, but even then, the adult gets the new one surely?

pictish · 28/08/2014 13:54

I've caused offence, so I apologise.
Ultimately, this thread is a stark reminder of what a fortunate, privileged lot we are. Some of the posts on this thread have made me feel quite hollow about that.
It doesn't do to spoil our kids.

InculKate · 28/08/2014 14:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2014 14:04

What's wrong with spoiling your kids though if you can afford it? I want my DD's to have everything I didn't have... DD2 is just a baby but DD1 is a lovely, well mannered, well behaved child, despite her getting presents and treats regularly.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 28/08/2014 14:06

But I don't want a new one. Mine has my photos on and my name on the back and it was a gift from my DH. Besides, I might get him a mini anyway.

I disagree that it's spoiling him any more than it's spoiling a child to let them have access to an iPad in the first place anyway; this is just more convenient for me, and I don't have to lend mine to him when I might want it to cook a recipe by, or send a few emails.

As for what I've bought him; that's personal preference. It doesn't matter how much I've bought him, or what I spent as long as I can financially justify it. He doesn't get bought much in the interim between these two events, I save it up for Christmas and birthday because it's exciting to have lots to open on those times, rather than just getting toys all the time.

OP posts:
APotNoodleandaTommy · 28/08/2014 14:06

Again, totally with Pictish
I'm slightly aghast at the 'first world problem' of buffering times for a 4 year old.
I have nieces and nephews who have been brought up being given everything they want and more and it has inadvertently led them to be massively materialistic.
OP, you are going to do this anyway so why ask? You know people will feel it's completely spoiling a child who's already being given everything he wants. And as for 'using it for recipes'... We have one iPad in this house. If I need online recipes when cooking I use my iPhone Hmm

InculKate · 28/08/2014 14:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

APotNoodleandaTommy · 28/08/2014 14:07

And don't post for opinions and then get aggressive when responses differ from yours. That's just rude

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 28/08/2014 14:08

inculkate thank you for adding that Smile

OP posts:
InculKate · 28/08/2014 14:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 28/08/2014 14:10

apot have you read the thread? It's not about buffering. Do try to keep up.

And if people are going to be rude to me, then why shouldn't I give them a sharp response back?

Too many people in this world 'say it how it is' and can't accept it when people call them out on their rudeness. If you disagree, then that's fine, but at least be polite. Don't wade in with sneery responses.

OP posts:
ScouseBird8364 · 28/08/2014 14:13

At 4? Shock An iPad at 4?? Shock

Jesus, what's the world coming to...? Hmm

APotNoodleandaTommy · 28/08/2014 14:13

Choosing to spend hundreds of pounds on an iPhone for a 4 year old, when you could use your smartphone and leave the 4 year old on the existing iPad, Kate... Is that so complex?
Or with his books, or crayons, or whatever Hmm

APotNoodleandaTommy · 28/08/2014 14:14

Ziggie, yes, I can read, thank you
My mum taught me how
Using books
Grin

curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2014 14:19

What a primitive way to learn... I'm sure there's an app for that now Hmm

There's nothing wrong with an iPad for a 4 year old... Why so aghast?! Many schools use them for that age.

bonkersLFDT20 · 28/08/2014 14:23

OP, why did you even ask the question?

I think you are wise enough to know that opinion is quite divided on the issue.
I'm struggling to find what sort of response you might have received to make you think "Oh IABU"

If you want to buy your son an iPad then you don't need to justify it to anyone.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 28/08/2014 14:27

It was once considered extravagant to buy children books too. Luckily, we now know better.

OP posts:
TenMinutesEarly · 28/08/2014 14:28

First. I'm not against iPads, we have two (one belongs to work) a MacBook and iPhones. All used by the dc.

If you buy him an iPad this year what are you going to get him next year? My dc will be waiting a long time to get their own.

DH wants to buy the dc an XBox. They have never asked for one so there is no way they are getting one. They are getting two good bikes for less than an xbox.

If after considering everything you still want to get him one, then go ahead but be prepared that other people and not just your mum will be silently judging you.

APotNoodleandaTommy · 28/08/2014 14:29

Yes... All us people harming our beautiful little children by not buying them iPads that they haven't asked for...

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 28/08/2014 14:31

Why can't technology complement a childhood? Why does it have to ruin it?

OP posts:
APotNoodleandaTommy · 28/08/2014 14:33

It can, I completely agree with you on that.
I just fail to see why a 4 year old would ever need his own iPad. Particularly when he hasn't asked for one nor when he's getting everything else he asked for nor when he can access one daily.

LatteLoverLovesLattes · 28/08/2014 14:33

TenMinutesEarly - your children have access to a lot of technology too - what's the difference whether it's theirs or one they use but aren't allowed to call their own?

My dc will be waiting a long time to get their own - why?

DH wants to buy the dc an XBox. They have never asked for one so there is no way they are getting one - are you always the one who gets to decide while your DH is just a bystander in his childrens lives?

be prepared that other people and not just your mum will be silently judging you - people will judge no matter what we do or don't do. I don't find it the best decision making tool myself.

curiousgeorgie · 28/08/2014 14:36

APot - if your children asked for one would you buy it?