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AIBU?

To make DC leave their iPads behind.

23 replies

catweasel44 · 18/07/2017 13:14

We are going away for a week with friends.

We have discussed leaving iPads, phones etc behind.

On the whole, I don't see a problem with this and think it will be good for them, especially DS2 who is 8 and only wants to watch YouTube at the moment.

DS1 is 11 and recently has recently got a girlfriend. It is very sweet and all they actually do is send each other text messages with ❤️ emojis on.

It feels very mean to say he can't contact her for a week.

But I can't let him have his iPad if none of the other kids have theirs.

To complicate matters - I'm not even supposed to know that he has a girlfriend.

WWYD.

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halcyondays · 18/07/2017 13:16

Just let them bring them. When we're away mine don't use gadgets that much as they do other things anyway.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 18/07/2017 13:16

But I can't let him have his iPad if none of the other kids have theirs yes you can. I would take them but have them out for limited times during the evening.

irregularegular · 18/07/2017 13:16

We very often have screen/phone free holidays and I much prefer it. The children are 13 and 15 now!

And I really wouldn't be taking 11 yr old girlfriends into account, sorry! I don't see that it is any different from not contacting a best friend.

halcyondays · 18/07/2017 13:16

If the other parents don't want their kids to bring their ipads, that's their problem, not yours.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 18/07/2017 13:17

** I would tell the other families you're letting them take the iPads though.

catweasel44 · 18/07/2017 13:22

Thanks everyone.

There's no wifi anyway so maybe he could take his phone and just have it for half an hour to message his friends after tea or something.

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Glumglowworm · 18/07/2017 14:14

Let them bring them but only allow them to be used for a short time in the evenings.

DubiousCredentials · 18/07/2017 14:16

One thing I love about going away on holiday is the lack of screen use, so I would def leave them behind especially if others won't have theirs.

bridgetreilly · 18/07/2017 14:18

Perfectly reasonable. It's only a week. He and his girlie will manage without.

supermoon100 · 18/07/2017 14:19

Definitely leave them behind. I would annoyed if I was one of the parents who had agreed no screens. They can cope for a week surely!

Hiphopopotamus · 18/07/2017 14:20

Will you and the other adults be taking smartphones etc? I hate the hypocrisy of saying kids spend too much time looking at screens when you see all the adults around looking at their phones.

catweasel44 · 18/07/2017 17:24

I've said to my friend that is the kids are not having screens then we shouldn't either.

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BrieAndChilli · 18/07/2017 17:29

Ours didn't take tablets on holiday to France, it did mean they didn't have them to entertain while waiting for/on the flight etc but knew if we took them for that it would be hard not to use them while we were there, me and DH also turned the data off on our phone so no Facebook, whatsapp, internet either (unless we were looking up tickets for place we were going to etc)
Was very nice and meant we all engaged with each other much more.

JacquesHammer · 18/07/2017 17:33

God no - if she doesn't want her kids having screen time that's her look out.

Totally your decision as to whether you take yours.

Would it include Kindles for example?

Roomster101 · 18/07/2017 17:46

I would never say my children can't have ipads etc on holiday because it's their holiday too. I would just restrict use.

irregularegular · 18/07/2017 20:00

Yes - same rules for adults and children. And kindles - those that are just ereaders- don't count.

Floralnomad · 18/07/2017 20:06

We'd have a mutiny if we ever suggested going anywhere that doesn't have wifi , and that includes me . I lived through the no internet years and I'm not going back even for a week !

catweasel44 · 19/07/2017 17:48

Our kindle is one of the old ones that is really just a book.

So that's fine.

I've said they can use my phone for Spotify and take their Bluetooth speakers.

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gluteustothemaximus · 19/07/2017 17:54

Holidays are for doing what you want. I would have my technology, and don't see why kids couldn't have theirs. We don't restrict anything, and they are not on them 24/7.

They'll probably be having so much fun with other kids anyway, they won't use them. But at least it will be through choice, not forced.

Don't think I could cope without wifi though!

melj1213 · 19/07/2017 18:26

I'd take them, but then I always have my phone and tablet with me on holiday and sometimes I have my netbook too if I'm going to have to do some work while I'm away so it's just natural for me to have tech available.

My DD8 always has her tablet too because it's handy for when we're in the car/airport because she can have books, various games/activities (both for her to play individually and for us to play together), podcasts/music and the digital versions of some of her favourite magazines all on her tablet and I don't have to lug a bag full of activities/books etc around just to keep her entertained.

DD is allowed her tablet whenever she wants on the car/airport/plane journey but then once we arrive at our hotel/holiday venue the tablet is then restricted to "reading on her kindle app before bedtime" and occasionally during "siesta time" after lunch, if she's not tired she is allowed to have some quiet screen time, but that is no more than she would normally be allowed at home anyway.

Leeds2 · 19/07/2017 18:29

I would let them take them, but not allow usage at meal times.

ForalltheSaints · 19/07/2017 19:08

I would not take them. As long as other family members can contact you in an emergency, that is all you need.

A useful lesson in coping without gadgets.

catweasel44 · 19/07/2017 20:28

I've spoken to the DC and they're not actually that fussed.

I think we're going to take them for car journey and then leave them in the glove box.

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