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.

Well you're quite clearly ignorant. I'll grant you it isn't the tablet itself, but the use of it as a tool, which requires expertise to optimise its educational potential, - but it creates efficiency in planing and resource creation, not to mention flexibility to adapt to a child's preferred style of learning as that itself changes.

You can also use it for immediate feedback on written work and practice socialisation in a safe environment. Oh, and you can also play games!!

I can see looking back my original post on this thread seems directed at someone specific here. Apologies - it wasn't. The you was generic. The post was really about the general concept. I had not read any threads recently about ipads and preschoolers.

If anyone popped into my head, it was the woman on This Morning a week or so before Christmas who had bought her daughter (3), who already had her own ipad, an iphone for Christmas.

I can imagine this argument back in the 16th century...

Those austenatious neighbours, they only gave their children an ILLUSTRATED MANUSCRIPT for Christmas.

I mean, there are lots of children out there not even getting a normal manuscript - which I don't have an issue with btw - they are just perpetuating our feudal system and WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE POOR MONKS...

Why does any child need to see a manuscript in colour anyway? A black and white one is perfectly readable. They are all that is wrong with the world.

Ignorant because I disagree with you? That's a rather arrogant of you don't you think?

No preschooler needs the high spec of an iPad. An older child or teen would get more out of it. IMO spending vast amounts of money on a tablet for a very small child when there are other cheaper alternatives is silly.

You'll note I said my opinion. In fact it's my considered, educated opinion. But maybe it doesn't count because I didn't learn my maths, music or ABC on the right electronic device?

Buy your child an iPad or a hudl or a kindle... or all three and a unicorn. Or maybe a wooden train set or a hair shirt. I really don't care. But don't pretend you're doing it for some speshul reason. You're doing it for the same reasons as everyone else - because you think your child will like it and for some of you also make your purchasing decisions because of the marketing hype. Pretending you needed to spend £500 on an iPad because it's educational is disingenuous. Just be honest!

And I support what movingonup said there.

I got it, pictish, I fall foul of the 'you' (general) sometimes too.

I'm such a technology-muppet that I can barely operate a laptop and phone. I've no idea what Huddl is other than that Tesco sells them and a tablet is just a phone with a large screen to me.

I was so much happier in the days of massive brick phones that I could ignore and the red telephone boxes, which I loved...

If my kids want anything wireless electronic they can speak to their father and no bother me.

I cross-posted but obviously also support movingonup. It's all so unnecessary in my view. Too much, too soon.

Ignorant because you cannot see the potential of a tablet to speed up the learning process of children who find learning difficult.

Ignorant because you can't understand why a tablet is labour saving in terms of resource creation enabling a teacher to spend their expertise teaching rather than laminating.

Ignorant because your 'disagreement' with me is based on your clear lack of knowledge on the subject.

Some mad bint on the other thread said 'over the top consumerism was damaging' then went on to smugly prattle on about spending time with your kids

Of course you could not possibly do both,

Those of us who dont have any guilt at buying a lot, you know, can always take a break from the vulgar spending to spend time with our DC's.

Yeah a few people are taking this all rather personally Pictish. I thought it was quite clear you were talking in general terms and it wasn't anything personal.

All this "is that aimed at me?" is very tiresome. Not to mention a little bit "it's all about me!". Erm, no. It isn't. I haven't read your thread because if I had and had something to say I would have done it there.

Wow Mosthighly that's a lot of unfounded assumptions. How did you exprapolate all that from my posts when I haven't actually said that? Would you like to know what I think about the benefits of tablets? Why not ask me instead of telling me?

Like I said you are arrogant.

You said ignorant. Not arrogant.

You however are clearly both.

Because you said no preschooler NEEDS an iPad, and you said a teenager would get more out of it.

iPads are bought these days by nurseries and schools using the eyfs curriculums for typically developing g children. Many disabled children rely on them for communication.

I don't have an ipad as I prefer my laptop...I am ham fisted myself.
If I did, there's no way my kids would get their mitts on it.
I have a flashy all singing and dancing Samsung android smart phone though. None of my kids have ever even touched it.

And sorry - that interview wasn't whole down there. She was the woman I was thinking of earlier.

I think the criticism directed at those who choose to by less is far more cutting. I have had poster express concern for my poor neglected children, there have been piss take posts about my children being forced to sit around with their one book whilst being made to feel guilty just so I can feel superior.

As with most parenting decisions we make there is no great moral statement or judgement about anybody else, this is just the way that we do things.

What about those of us who don't buy much at christmas, but that's because they've already got a tablet (and enough knowledge at 2 to prefer android over an ipad) what criticism do we get?

Maybe you notice what is directed at you. I agree that threads are rarely started that about people who buy less but the venom directed at us is staggering.

To go to the trouble to create and type out a pastiche of someone's dour Christmas seems quite surprising. To tell someone that she is neglecting her children, that they probably can't wait to leave home to do Christmas properly, that your home must lack warmth and love and that your Children wil get bullied because of your selfish choices is quite strong

Jesus is dead, or make believe, probably the latter. All that's left is the presents and there's nothing like diving into a big pile of them on Christmas morning. 3 days later we're buying more stuff in the sales. If God didn't want us to buy stuff he shouldn't have invented shops.

someone once said to me that their child didn't need loads of 'stuff' 'cause they have love...i found it hilarious that this friend was implying that because both of my dc have stuff they must be lacking in love

curiousgeorgie Sun 28-Dec-14 14:16:49

You said ignorant. Not arrogant.

You however are clearly both.

No, no I didn't. Perhaps you could reference where I called anybody ignorant on this thread? I would call you rude for the unnecessary PA above but you'd probably read "thick obnoxious twat" or something instead and well, I just can't be bothered arguing about things I haven't said to someone who calls me arrogant and ignorant for having a different opinion and calling out some unnecessary rudeness.