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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to not want to buy a £125 football for DS (7)

118 replies

FlirtyKirti · 28/11/2021 10:17

DS is 7 and is completely obsessed with football. He has written a list for Father Christmas with only one thing on it - a Nike Premier League ball. I was gobsmacked to discover it cost £125: m.jdsports.co.uk/product/yellow-nike-english-premier-league-202122-flight-football/16235109/?cm_mmc=googleshop--google--shopping-_-pla&istCompanyId=9c5cf6f7-3142-4f9f-be57-2fce9c67adfd&istFeedId=014e8b49-620d-4e56-9e87-79529c403af2&istItemId=ppatqxrxm&istBid=tzwt&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7oyNBhDiARIsADtGRZaReDhs_fuuUhcaeS4lSxt3_TUb5GOBEv1euWaeea_5zd6U4p5B868aAjZvEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I don’t want to spend so much on something that is likely to get lost/kicked over a fence/punctured by a dog’s teeth, and I would worry taking something like that to a park could make him a target for thieves.

But… he is going through a tough time. His grandfather who he is very close to is dying of cancer and it is the only thing he wants, while his brother has copied out most of the Ninjago sets in the Lego catalogue on his list. I wouldn’t balk at spending that much on Lego if he’d wanted a big set as his main present. What should I do? I don’t want him to be spoilt but I also want him to be happy during what might otherwise be a rather bleak Christmas.

OP posts:
KrispyKale · 28/11/2021 14:23

And that's before you get to anyone deliberatley taking stuff!

BoredatHome321 · 28/11/2021 14:26

If you look for the "strike" version it should be cheaper. I think the yellow version is currently out of stock everywhere though!

BoredatHome321 · 28/11/2021 14:27

The strike version is made from pieces stitched together (replica) whereas the match ball is just one piece with no stitching Smile

Thadhiya · 28/11/2021 14:28

@Marianne1234

I feel your pain.

My youngest has recently announced that she wants the barbie house for Christmas. It’s £250. For pink plastic. We could afford but to be honest I simply cannot. I don’t really know what to do.

You tell her Santa only brings small presents. A big present like that is too expensive and Mums and Dads will have to wait until it's on sale.

Belief in Santa isn't carte blanche for a kid to demand astronomical gifts. You can easily dissuade her. She'll have forgotten the too-expensive house by Boxing Day.

Santa brings smaller things. He doesn't bring expensive gifts, and plenty of kids are already told 'no'.

Same for OP's football. Buy him a normal football. He isn't too young to understand the value of money and that people cannot spunk hundreds on nonsense like that. Santa brings footballs from his workshop (or whatever), he isn't a cash machine.

TheGirlWhoLived · 28/11/2021 14:57

Actually yes, it’s just a bit cold to play out so my other hobby is mumsnet Wink

TheGirlWhoLived · 28/11/2021 15:00

This is interesting, does it make a difference to how the football performs as such?

Soooo @NeverDropYourMoonCup I think I’d probably hold out to see if the cheap one comes back into stock anywhere, it’s unlikely there will be a rush on the £125 version so buy that closer to the time if you don’t manage to get it! I agree the cheaper one would do in terms of expectation management Smile

Porfre · 28/11/2021 15:17

I think theres an online game - plague?

The aim is to infect as many as possible, but it's a lot harder than it looks, of the disease is too deadly people die before they can infect others.

The most transmissible is one that gives mild symptoms so people are less aware they have it. Hopefully the fact that is very transmissible is mainly because it gives little symptoms and people aren't even aware that they're I'll.

Porfre · 28/11/2021 15:18

Wrong thread

BoredatHome321 · 28/11/2021 15:29

@TheGirlWhoLived

This is interesting, does it make a difference to how the football performs as such?

Soooo @NeverDropYourMoonCup I think I’d probably hold out to see if the cheap one comes back into stock anywhere, it’s unlikely there will be a rush on the £125 version so buy that closer to the time if you don’t manage to get it! I agree the cheaper one would do in terms of expectation management Smile

Yeah, it does. Not sure how but it definitely does make a difference.
Thatsplentyjack · 28/11/2021 15:29

Why would you buy lego but not a ball?

MrsBungle · 28/11/2021 15:36

I really wouldn’t spend that op - especially if he actually wants to play with it. At age 7 I’d imagine he’d need a size 3. Get a replica. My ds is a footballer and we go through endless amounts of balls!

bluetowers · 28/11/2021 15:51

Size 5 balls are way too big for a 7year old. He needs a size 3. Size 3 is what they play & train with.
Explain that to him.
Then get him a replica one .

Buttercup54321 · 28/11/2021 16:49

I would get it. But I would supervise that ball like a hawk lol

alfagirl73 · 28/11/2021 17:02

First thing is, it's the only thing he's put on his list, it's not a random item amongst some other stuff. So that suggests it's particularly important to him and he's football mad, so he's probably going to have scrutinised it in detail.

Here's what I'd do... I'd have a conversation with him about it. Explain that a ball at that price is a collector's piece rather than for a daily kick about. Be honest with him. Tell him if he really wants THAT specific ball at that price, then it's something to display and keep rather than play with. Don't say it's not worth getting because he's a kid and because he'll lose it or that he's not "grown up" enough to have it. He'll just hear that HE isn't worth it. Explain that it would be horrible for him to get such a special ball and for someone else to steal it or damage it - invite him to think about what that would feel like. Then suggest either a more affordable alternative replica that he can take out and enjoy playing with, or he gets the expensive one but it's not for playing with - possibly he also gets a cheap normal one for playing with - and also point out that he won't get much else. Present the options to him so he can make an informed decision. Suggest he goes off and thinks about it. If nothing else it demonstrates the process of thinking through things carefully and weighing up pros and cons. He's only 7 but it's never a wasted exercise.

I see no harm in having that conversation with him - it manages his expectations and he gets to consider alternative options. It's also better than attempting to pass off a replica or cheap knock-off as the real deal. My parents always did this and while I never complained because I wouldn't have dared - I always knew. I hate this attitude that kids won't know the difference - they really do - especially when it's something important to them.

Talk to him - explain - give him the choice. Of course it's up to you then to hold him to the choice he makes. If he goes for the expensive ball then he accepts it's not leaving the house so may have limited enjoyment of it. People will say he's only 7 - and he is - but it's clearly important to him and his reality is that he's dreaming of getting that ball on Christmas Day. There is nothing to be lost in having a chat with him. You can then make the ultimate decision but don't just assume what he's thinking - give him a chance to say what he thinks.

bluetowers · 28/11/2021 17:17

Mine would also know the difference. They would have seen exactly what it looks like even at that age. Don't get a cheap one & pretend.
But do explain that a size 5 is an adult size ball. He'll struggle to practice skills etc with one that big.

DowntownFrown · 28/11/2021 17:19

Buy the Nike strike version, it’s the same pattern with embossed leather but only £30.

DowntownFrown · 28/11/2021 17:21

I tried to find a link to the one I mean but it’s sold out. If you keep an eye on Nike and sports direct they do keep getting them into stock. I saw one in the actual shop and grabbed it because we’ve had this before with a different version.

Bagadverts · 28/11/2021 17:38

Discuss, definitely don’t pretend it is whet he asked for if it isn’t. Even if he didn’t realise another friend could when he was so proud of it.

Hankunamatata · 28/11/2021 17:40

Iv had the discussion with kids football mad kids that we wont be buying pricey balls as they get lost etc. DC 13 saved and brought himself a ball, currently its in his room as he cant bring himself to use itGrin

Hankunamatata · 28/11/2021 17:43

If he has a fav football team Id sub it with that

Herecomesthesun70 · 28/11/2021 17:43

My son is also football mad. He has special balls or signed balls he keeps in his room and cheap balls to take outside.

Hankunamatata · 28/11/2021 17:45

Santa can make a phone call or email to mum offering suitably priced substitutes

Comefromaway · 28/11/2021 17:45

If it’s what you would spend I’d buy it BUT I’d make it clear that it is an ornamental item only and he can’t actually play football with it.

Footballs come in different weights/sizes and a Premier League men’s Size 5 ball is NOT suitable for a 7 year old to play with. The FA recommend a size 3 for that age group and I don’t think you can get a Size 3 in that design.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 28/11/2021 17:53

I always find this phenomenon quite odd

Surely EVERYONE has a childhood memory of being bought the wrong item, or a cheap pale imitation and feeling gutted and being polite and pretending gratitude?

Its an expensive ball, yes. It's also his only item. And it should be his to do as he likes with because its HIS Ball and if it is stolen, punctured or lost because of his carelessness, then its a real important life lesson.

If the worst DOESN'T happen; You've got one delighted child thinking he's DEFINITELY headed to the Premier League now.

Priceless

Comefromaway · 28/11/2021 17:59

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit

I always find this phenomenon quite odd

Surely EVERYONE has a childhood memory of being bought the wrong item, or a cheap pale imitation and feeling gutted and being polite and pretending gratitude?

Its an expensive ball, yes. It's also his only item. And it should be his to do as he likes with because its HIS Ball and if it is stolen, punctured or lost because of his carelessness, then its a real important life lesson.

If the worst DOESN'T happen; You've got one delighted child thinking he's DEFINITELY headed to the Premier League now.

Priceless

Whilst I agree with the wrong item thing it could actually be dangerous for a 7 year old to attempt to actually play with such a heavy ball.
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