To be fed up of the criticism of those who splashed out for Christmas!

[Fanfeckintastic]

You can't open a thread about Christmas without someone voicing their dismay and horror that someone's eg "4 year old got an ipad", "that someone's partner gave them a tatty secondhand Christmas present and they should be grateful!", "you bought all that for a 5 year old "

It's mad because you'd never dream of criticizing the parents who had a minimalistic Christmas and bought very little for their DCs (like many of my Christmases) but somehow it's acceptable to be all judgy about people who splash out, with lots of raised eyebrows and sneeriness.

And how it's a mortal sin not to be overwhelmed with gratitude that your partner bought you anything at all. It's a really strange attitude that raises it's ugly head every year on here.

Pictish, it's hard not to take personally when you wrote the things you wrote? Were they not specifically about 'the OP who bought her 4 year old an ipad'?

As others have said - by posting on here what you have done / spent, then you are inviting comment.
My Christmas present buying has never been criticised because I've never posted what I get.

It's the same with all threads about buying stuff - be that in style and beauty or in the credit crunch threads - you will always get people who think its normal and resonable to spend £400 on some item of clothing, and you'll get others who need to get their whole week's shopping for a family of 5, for £35. I find it fascinating how differnt people's worlds are, but other people are very sesnistive to any criticism of it, possibly because they aren't confident enough they are doing the right thing - who knows?

Don't be upset myironlung you don't have to justify what you bought for your Dc, they're your Dc and you know best what they like

dead fox or new ferarri, who gives a shit as long as the little-uns like it

I didn't see that particular thread on here. If you read back you will see that I don't refer to it, but rather to the OP of this one.
It's not the first time the subject has been discussed though. It's not new.
So no.

If you want to judge I got 12 year old DD this.

My just turned 3 yr old was given an ipad for Christmas a few years back. It has been an amazing educational tool. I
downloaded apps that help her to form letters, phonic games, maths apps. It proved really helpful

I agree that you don't know mine or anyone elses set of circumstances but your blanket statements, branding anyone that would buy their young child an iPad as stupid and vacuous twat are offensive. If you can't see that then I think you need to reevaluate exactly who is a "thicko".

That said...peace and love people

Well ANYONE could have an argument in a phone box if they happen to be on the phone to an annoying person.

Anyone who bought a toddler an iPad is VVVVU because Android is far better.

Apple is shite.

combine I know. I'm Stupid stupid stupid for getting drawn into a mumsnet debate!

Pfffft. I don't like the excess and over commercialisation of Christmas and buying iPads for small children is silly imo - they're expensive and fragile and there are much more sensible alternatives that are just as functional - but I wouldn't dream of saying so irl.

I do find people think we're odd for wanting to limit presents for the children and us. I don't care. Too many presents and too much stuff just seems to elicit spoilt and brattish behaviour from mine and I could do without the tantrums thanks.

We had a great Christmas. One of our best yet and it's nobody on here's business what we got the dc but it's somewhere between an old bobbin and some hessian sacking and an iPad each.

These kind of threads are bizarre.

Why do people care so much what someone on the internet thinks of their gift giving choices?

It's really not important, you are 'allowed' to get your children whatever you like.

This is true.
Yeah shout shout away - be angry with me. And tomorrow we'll all still think the same.

My kids get their whole year of gifts at Christmas. They get nowt at any other times except on birthday. Not school uniform, not shoes, not magazines, not sweets, not toothbrushes even.

As a result their haul takes up the whole of the living room and takes days to open.

My DD's iPad is recommended by her OT and her teacher, which is besides the point but just to try to educate you about the idea of different circumstances.

These weren't to the OP.... Or am I wrong?

"ipads worth hundreds of pounds for 4 yr olds who can't even read is a fucking abomination, symbolic of the sort of vacuous twats you have become in the face of Apple's marketing strategy. The brand zombies

yeah - those parents are thickos with far too much money and not enough sense."

Dont beat yourself up myironlung I'm the dickhead who paid £80+ for nursery bedding for a NEWBORN hahaha(read upthread). We all make mistakes

Educational? Yawn. How do you think people learnt to read and write before tablets?

Mine have a hudl. For playing on or whatever. I don't care. It buys me hours of peace and quiet and seems to help ds regulate his temper a bit with some quiet down time.

At least be honest about your iPad buying. You're not all buying it to do phonics on or you'd spend £6 on a pack or flash cards. You're buying it because it looks great and people will be impressed because of the marketing hype. Otherwise you'd just get a cheap tablet.

I think there is equal judgement here for people that don't get enough, it's just the two extremes.
Its just human nature to judge - I'm trying not to judge my friend who brought her young teen daughter an ipad. Not a problem in itself, but for the fact she has been complaining about lack of money for the best part of the year. However it's her decision and get life at the end of the day, so I'm keeping my mouth shut :)

Moving plenty of chikdren for whom tablets are 'educational' did not learn to read and write in ages past.

MovingOnUp - was that to me? Because the recommendation wasn't based on its educational qualities (although it undoubtedly has them!) It is because she has severe hypermobility and it helps her with what she is able to do with her hands.

Also, the argument that 'people survived without them!' is pretty 'yawn' in its own right. We used to dry clothes using Mangles. Why bother with a tumble dryer? You can get across the world in a few weeks on a boat, why invent a plane? Fuck it, why advance at all, huh?

DS has his whole maths curriculum delivered via his IPAD as well as using it as a mobile encyclopaedia and to play the piano accompaniment to his violin practise.

Moving plenty of chikdren for whom tablets are 'educational' did not learn to read and write in ages past.

oh you are funny!

I bought an iPad for my 4 year old.

I couldn't give a damn what people think, and I didn't put a photo of him with it on Facebook because it was just one of many presents he received from us. To picture that specifically would look out of place in the christmas album... Picture of us all smiling under the tree, picture of the turkey, picture of all the wine, picture of the table all set up, picture of the outdoor lights... Picture of DS posing with an iPad? No.

However, I do wonder how many people say horrible things 'stupid thicko parents, vacuous,' etc out of genuine concern, in which case how many of you show similar concern over vtech toys, a company with also questionable value toys and morals depending on who you talk to... One could easily spend the same amount on vtech toys as you could an iPad. An iPad mini 2 retails at between £150 and £180 depending on where you shop.

I just don't think its worth a barbed comment. I really, really don't.

Just out of interest, if a relative (well meaning) bought your DC an iPad for Christmas. Would you take it? Because if you refused it on the grounds of concern, fine. But if you'd take it? Then posts of 'you complete twats for buying your DC an iPad' smack of jealousy.

My DCs have iPads because that's what I have, I know how to set them up, put on appropriate controls etc.

I also know that they work well.

Most of my friends are older than 12 so I certainly don't think anyone is going to be "impressed" by the purchase of an apple product

I don't want a hudl. I can't family share like i can my iPad, my husband and I both have all Apple products, and I like their range of movies they have which are great on long journeys (family spaced out, lots of long car trips).

Also, why are Hudl ok but iPads aren't?