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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it sad that such young children are being bought such grown-up presents?

265 replies

allIWannaBeForChristmas · 18/12/2007 11:49

partly brought on by the other thread, but have heard from so many people who are buying their 4/5/6 yo's games consoles/televisions/dvd players and even know of one who has bought her 7 yo a mobile phone.

am I the only one that thinks this is wrong?

OP posts:
harleyd · 18/12/2007 11:50

are you mad
you get to sit them in the corner and dont even have to speak to them that way

cardy · 18/12/2007 11:51

each to their own but I won't be buying my 6yo any of those things.

Desiderata · 18/12/2007 11:51

Ha ha ha

MotherFunk · 18/12/2007 11:52

Message withdrawn

GooseyLoosey · 18/12/2007 11:53

Part of me things that this is wrong and I feel smug that my children both want traditional things like dolls and lego.

Then I realise I am feeling smug and I really have no idea why lego is better than a games console. In my head it is, but I think I may just be being prejudiced and if a child would get a lot of pleasure out of one and parents can afford it, why not.

eidsvold · 18/12/2007 11:53

not my 5yo.

LoveAngelGabriel · 18/12/2007 11:53

I agree with the OP.

NineUnlovelyTinselDecorations · 18/12/2007 11:54

Yes it's much better these days now we have technology so you don't have to interact with them and they can become violent and obese asap.

eidsvold · 18/12/2007 11:54

surely lego requires thought, imagination and seeing a concept become a structure. Games console?!?!? who knows.

notjustmom · 18/12/2007 11:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

soapbox · 18/12/2007 11:56

It is hard though! My DD (9 yo) has a mobile on her list, some of her friends have them, and we could easily afford one with built in calls and texts BUT if we give in and buy it for her now, what is left to buy when she is 11, 12, 13 etc.

It is a pull though, she would be beside herself if she got one.

BUT we will stand firm - she WILL get one when she starts at senior school as we have promised her, and not before

notjustmom · 18/12/2007 11:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tortoiseSHELL · 18/12/2007 11:58

My criteria for buying presents is whether they stimulate or inhibit imagination. Lego/playmobil/dolls etc stimulate creative play. Techno stuff at this time inhibits it imo as everything is done for you.

Anna8888 · 18/12/2007 11:58

eidsvold - Lego is brilliant stuff . My daughter got her first box of Lego for her birthday in November and is getting more from both sets of grandparents for Christmas.

Lego is highly compatible with MN, I find

Original poster
allIWannaBeForChristmas · 18/12/2007 11:58

"my DS is four and he
has a tv with dvd player in his toy room, a laptop, a psp and a wii." and he's 4! so what's left then?

OP posts:
LoveAngelGabriel · 18/12/2007 11:58

My problem with games consoles and TVs etc is that children are encouraged to sit on their arses and be 'entertained'. There is little action, imagination, exploration - things that are incredibly important to a child's physical and mental development. I don't see a problem with parents who allow their children access to games consoles etc now and then (although I still wouldn't allow my young child to play computer games - I personally don't see why a child of five or six needs that sort of very high octane visual stimulation, and I worry about the effect it may have long term...but that's me..), but in reality, that's not what I see going on. I see a hell of a lot of kids who should be engaging their brains and bodies in constructive play sitting like dummies staring at a screen. I do think that's sad, sorry.

GooseyLoosey · 18/12/2007 12:00

I know what you mean eidsvold, but does a games console not require thought and concentration (no idea really, never played with one) and could it not do things like improve fine motor skills?

Don't think technology means that you don't interact with your children. Mine love the games on the Cbeebies website. They always play them with dh or I and it gives all concerned some pleasure.

I wonder if the general dislike of them is partly born from middle class smuggery (of which I too am guilty)?

notjustmom · 18/12/2007 12:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MotherFunk · 18/12/2007 12:01

Message withdrawn

mrspnut · 18/12/2007 12:01

At age 5 and 6 my daughter's christmas presents comprised mostly of bratz dolls and barbies. Maybe a cd player for her bedroom and that was sufficient.

She's now older and she did get an ipod nano and a nintendo ds last year for christmas - but this year she hasn't got a big present. Instead she has loads of games, dvd's, cd's and books because she doesn't need anything else.

pollyannainexcelsis · 18/12/2007 12:02

I agree to a point. We didn't get ds (9 in Jan) a wii this year as we thought if we got it now, what would he get in future? and he has asked for playmobil anyway.

I agree that 4 year olds shouldn't get ds's or consoles, but we do have ds lites in our house - I think dd got one for her 7th birthday, and it hasn't stopped her playing with other things, or reading. The key is moderation and parental control.

Anna8888 · 18/12/2007 12:03

Actually, I have been very pleasantly surprised by the imagination-stimulating effect of some DVDs on my daughter (3). Watching Maisy and now Angelina has encouraged her to want to do all sorts of things - we were very surprised that at 2.6 she wanted to go on a big wheel and wasn't in the slightest bit apprehensive or frightened, but it was all because she had watched DVDs of Maisy and Angelina enjoying the big wheel - she wanted to do what they do.

And now she has a tutu, ballet shoes and a tiara and spends hours practising ballet that she has taught herself from watching Angelina DVDs. She does little shows for us and we clap and you can just see her imagination running away with her - she's lost in the dance.

pollyannainexcelsis · 18/12/2007 12:03

notjustmom, my dd2 (aged 4) has also asked for that chocolate coin maker. I think she will be very disappointed when she sees it

EniDeepMidwinter · 18/12/2007 12:04

I have told dd1 I will buy her a mobile phone the day she has her braces fitted (inevitable)

notjustmom · 18/12/2007 12:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.