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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to get the train set?

98 replies

inflagrantedelicto · 31/03/2015 08:39

Ds is desperate for the Lego train set, he's been wanting it for the past 4/5 years. At £100+ I've always said no.

But, I've found it on amazon for £69. It's his birthday in April, and we budget £60 for presents. Ds has AS and has always been really into trains.

However dp doesn't want me to, because its feeding his obsession, and the possibility he'll no longer want it once he has it. Plus the factor it'll be on his bedroom floor, small bedroom that he shares.

Aibu to just get him that and not much else? Ds does understand how much it is, he spent the other day on meltdown because he only has £15 and it'll take forever to save up enough, so he should understand that part- he'll be 11.

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mamapants · 31/03/2015 08:42

I don't think there is anything wrong with getting it. Unless it would be unfairly annoying for his sibling.
But I don't understand getting that and 's much else'.
It's a bit over budget so surely he'd be getting that and nothing else.

bruffin · 31/03/2015 08:42

Cant you put it on a board that will slide under a bed or settee?

chickenfuckingpox · 31/03/2015 08:45

from the small bedroom aspect coutdnt you fix it to a board which slides under the bed so its not on the floor?

no idea about the obsession part but if he no longer wants it you can sell it surely? if you keep the box and the packaging you wont lose much financially

spending £9 over a budget would be fine with me

thegreylady · 31/03/2015 08:49

Without a shadow of doubt you should get it. You can afford it and it will bring such joy. Why wouldn't you get it? The board idea is a good one. Our electric train set hinges down from the bedroom wall.

AIBU to get the train set?
clippityclop · 31/03/2015 08:49

Sounds like a bargain to me, Lego is a fantastic toy which the kids I know play with for years. Buy it, take up bruffin' s idea about a base. If he wants more bits to go with it could you let family/friends know he's saving up?

Original poster
inflagrantedelicto · 31/03/2015 08:49

It would be that and not much else as I have a few bits stashed that I bought in the sales, I did for all of them, and they don't count Wink.

No room under his bed, there's no clearance. I don't think the track it comes with. The child he shares with is older, and doesn't really play with Lego etc any more, he's reached the infuriating sitting around phase! I really want to, but would need dp to be ok about it

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Original poster
inflagrantedelicto · 31/03/2015 08:51

Ooh, grey lady, I like the board! Do you have to put away the track to fold it up?

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JigsawsAreAllLittlePieces · 31/03/2015 08:54

I would get it.

TiggieBoo · 31/03/2015 08:56

It's the one toy he wants, it's close to the budget you set for his birthday, of course you should get it. Kids get bored of toys all the time, he would get soon get bored of whatever other present you got him for his birthday. At least this is something he really wants now. Get it before he is too old to be interested in Lego, he will be over the moon. I've got no solution to the space problem, but I do sympathise.

alphabettyspaghetty · 31/03/2015 09:00

I would buy it... My Stepsons winches down from the ceiling.

It's a really good investment he loves it.

LikeTheShoes · 31/03/2015 09:00

I found my duplo train at my parents' the other day, I spent a good hour building it and making it go.

buy it!

laundryelf · 31/03/2015 09:13

Another one saying buy it, he will get a lot of fun and pleasure from it and it keeps him away from screens. Also when he does get bored with it you can sell it for a good price. If thats what he really wants then you do not have to get him anything else, it will be ignored in the excitement of finally getting his much longed for train set.

There are some great solutions for storage here and you can look online for other ideas. IMO it does no harm to feed this obsession, its trains what harm can it do.
(Although I have worked for two model train mad professional men who had their new model train parts delivered to work to hide it from their wives!) Grin
Really hope you get it for him.

thegreylady · 31/03/2015 09:14

We have the track pinned to the board and put everything else away when the train isn't being played with. It has two legs which swing down and a hook to keep it against the wall. Underneath is covered in green felt so it is a pinboard when folded up.

MrsFlannel · 31/03/2015 09:19

if he garners comfort from his obsession then I think it's fine. My friend's son with ASD is obsessed with farm animals and she used to worry that he was too focused on them but she was told by her pediatrician that when things get too much for her son, he seeks solace in his animals and that its important to allow this.

Floggingmolly · 31/03/2015 09:20

Oh go on!

Frusso · 31/03/2015 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

5madthings · 31/03/2015 09:24

Get it! Especially at that price you can always re sell lego if in a months/years it's not played with.

UnderEstherMate · 31/03/2015 09:25

Get it! I like the hinged board idea (although this would mean going over budget by actually buying the wood and hinges).

MidniteScribbler · 31/03/2015 09:44

If it's something he's been wanting for four or five years, then I don't imagine the obsession is going away anytime soon. It's also a fantastic deal (love a bargain!), and old Lego seems to still sell pretty well from what I have seen.

ineedaholidaynow · 31/03/2015 10:01

DS has the lego train. We don't keep the track out, same issue with small bedroom. The track is just kept in one of his lego drawers (he has much lego!) and he then builds the track in whatever configuration he likes.

DS has a friend who is obsessed by trains, and he always has to play with lego train when he comes here. In fact he probably plays with it more than DS.

If the set does not come with much track, can you get relatives to buy some or put some money towards some?

MrsEvadneCake · 31/03/2015 10:09

Get it. They aren't young for long and he will love it. I hope he has lots of fun with it.

ShadowStone · 31/03/2015 10:11

I'd buy it, it sounds like he's not likely to go off it soon if he's still keen after 4 _ 5 years.

Chillyegg · 31/03/2015 10:18

Ooo get it Grin it will be one of those toys that he never forgets!

YY to the foldy board thingy! Sounds lovely!

comeagainforbigfudge · 31/03/2015 10:22

BUY IT! It's his birthday, he wants it and it's lego! Who doesn't love lego?!!

even when you step 9n the bits and curse it black n blue, you still love lego really

LowryFan · 31/03/2015 10:29

Get it! It's great and easy enough to make again each time you play with it. We keep ours in it's box and it's fine.