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AIBU?

To exchange ds' main gift for a kindle fire?

44 replies

startingallover · 25/12/2015 23:48

I think I know the answer but would like some more opinions. We bought our 8, 10 and 11 year old a kindle fire each. We got ds 5 years old a vtech watch - decided he was too young for his own tablet. Not because he wouldn't care for it - he's very sensible and bright but because it didn't feel right.

The other three have spent all day delighted with their kindles. Ds has been upset tonight because his watch only has four easy games and he can't play his favourite ones. My eldest spoke to me in confidence and said he felt sorry for him and that it is because they are so close and do everything together so he felt left out.

I'm tempted to change it for the kindle fire as it's only £10 more and I could put all the Dr Seuss books on as well which he loves. Dh says it's a gift and he needs to appreciate it. He says I've got it all wrong and this is a free gift. He says he will lend him his old nexus even though it charges terribly slowly. I suspect his watch will sit in the drawer. Would it be wrong to change the vtech watch for a kindle fire?

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liz70 · 26/12/2015 09:50

If you can change it I would. TBH I hink past three most children would get on fine with tablets. We got DD3 a Hudl when she was about 4 1/2, using CC vouchers so it didn't cost any extra money. She is as my DF would say, a whiz on it, so 5 is definitely not too young.

thewavesofthesea · 26/12/2015 10:29

We got a Kindle Fire Kids version; two year guarantee no matter how it breaks they will replace it. Comes with access to the Amazon Kids content - books, games and tv programmes. They love it; my boys are 4 and 6 and have no problem navigating it.

noeffingidea · 26/12/2015 11:07

Definitely change it. Tbh , I think v-tech things are pretty much obsolete nowadays, other than for toddlers. Tablets are so straightforward to use (and becoming so cheap) I can see a future where nearly all children have them. And the kindle fire rocks, I've had one for 3 years now. It's all I use (no laptop).

bornwithaplasticspoon · 26/12/2015 11:15

Kindle fire is brilliant.. got one for £49! My dd has games and all her music on it, watches her funny you tube vids and is just starting to download books. I can't see her needing any sort of upgrade for years.

BoGrainger · 26/12/2015 11:20

Can I just add my three pence worth? Never underestimate your youngest dc. They grow up so much more 'street-wise' and mature than your first-born just by being around their older siblings and certainly will feel left out without you being fully aware if they are treated differently. Can you tell I made some mistakes present-wise with dd3?

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 26/12/2015 11:34

I doubt it can be exchanged, but what about selling it on a local FB page and taking the hit? DD had a vTech tablet thing when she was 3 and it's pretty clunky and unintuitive compared to a real tablet, and has also become damaged much more easily.

That said, my two have had a Kidizoom Duo camera which is quite good fun but cheaper than a tablet.

I would def get him the Kindle.

AndNowItsSeven · 26/12/2015 11:58

Argos is about the worst shop you could have bought it from, I very much doubt they will exchange. Amazon always exchange.

AndNowItsSeven · 26/12/2015 11:59

Kidizoom camera is not cheaper, you could buy kindle fire tablets for £35 the week of Black Friday.

TheHiphopopotamus · 26/12/2015 13:05

Argos is about the worst shop you could have bought it from, I very much doubt they will exchange

I agree. I think you might have some pain on but I'll be happy to be proved wrong. You might be better off sticking it on eBay.

Nothighgaphere · 26/12/2015 13:27

Sorry to butt in, but we have just purchased one and I wondered what apps and games etc I should put on for 4 year old?

jelliebelly · 26/12/2015 13:58

Don't think you'll be able to swap it if it's been used but sell it on eBay. Shame he is so disappointed but we parents don't always get everything right!

FATEdestiny · 26/12/2015 14:24

My 3 children were all getting kindles.

After seeing a Cyber Monday deal thought, my 11 and 10 year old got laptops. My 6 year old got the kindle kids edition (he's been using mine for a couple if years). He was disappointed to not have a laptop like his siblings.

But im taking that disappointment in the chin (and bigging up his kindle) because I stand by my decision that he is too young to care for a laptop.

UkmmTheSecond · 26/12/2015 15:32

Sorry to butt in, but we have just purchased one and I wondered what apps and games etc I should put on for 4 year old?

I only have a few mins but can PM you a list later if you like?

My neices love the Taco games, some are paid, but they have sales and often go to free too.

Minecraft. I've never seen it on sale though, if I remember rightly I think it's £4.99 but worth every penny.

All my nieces and nephews have it on various devices and love it (dd prefers the PC version)

Remember to keep an eye on the AppStore for updates to your purchased apps and games, as they sometimes give new content and add more stuff to games.

stillnotjustamummy · 26/12/2015 15:51

Swop it! It's Christmas. If it makes you feel better, I bought my 2and half year old her own kindle fire. She LOVES it and is really good at using it. And I don't care if the screen time nazis stone me, she uses appropriate content for periods of time I dictate. It's fine.

NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 26/12/2015 15:52

Yanbu because DS was gracious but he's 5 and is understandably sad at missing out compared to his older siblings. And your oldest is also very good for mentioning it to you.

There's no reason not to say Sorry DS, we thought this would be better for you, but we were wrong, we can swap it for you if you want? I always think it's important for adults to admit that they made mistakes so kids realise everyone does and it's okay to admit it and try to fix it

startingallover · 26/12/2015 17:36

Thanks everyone. Hugely helpful. I even showed dh this thread and he said it's unanimous and he is wrong. First for him.

Ds is currently playing on daddy's Nexus 7. The watch has sat in its box. We're now deciding whether to get him his own kindle fire tomorrow or just a nice cover for the nexus and tell him it can be his. Daddy doesn't think we should take the watch back because Father Christmas brought it. However, if it stays in the box it might somehow disappear over the next few days.

My eldest son thinks the Nexus would be a good move but I'm tempted to go and get the same as the others so I can get to know them properly. Not sure if that makes sense?! Any views on whether the nexus or kindle fire would be a better move?

First world problems hey?! Thanks for your help. I thought I would be slated.

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AndNowItsSeven · 26/12/2015 18:55

Kindle fire, the parental control are much better. Plus if the nexus is older the speed might be frustrating for a young child.

cariadlet · 26/12/2015 22:44

If Father Christmas bought the watch, I'd tell your ds that you have written a letter to FC to thank him for the watch, but to say that ds is even more grown up than FC knows and that you are getting him a Kindle Fire like his big brothers.

FC could write back (once ds has the Kindle Fire) to ask if he could give the watch to another little boy instead, someone who isn't grown up enough for Kindle Fire. Get ds to put it by the fireplace (if you have one) - or wherever stockings are left out- before he goes to bed. When he comes down in the morning he'll find that FC has taken it back.

Hopefully you can then return it or try and sell it.

startingallover · 27/12/2015 00:35

Lovely idea. Thanks for taking the time to write cariadlet. We're getting him the kindle fire tomorrow and will wrap it up for him. He will be over the moon. He's been playing with his watch quite a lot today so am still thinking on that front. Sorted. THANK YOU!!

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