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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Husband just bought son a switch lite with no discussion

77 replies

Dramateacher1 · 12/04/2022 18:45

Hi,
My husband went out with my son today and bought a £239 switch lite for him. This has come out of our joint savings. We had previously discussed getting one for previous Christmas or birthday but decided against it. We also discussed getting one for taking on holiday in the summer. On discussing it previously I said we should get the proper switch as we could play it together, my husband preferred the switch lite as its handheld. We never reached an agreement. I am annoyed he bought it, he thinks I am being unreasonable. I think a purchase like that should be discussed and bought for an occasion, not just on a random Tuesday. We can afford it, but it’s £200 pounds I’d rather spend on something else. Son has not asked for it.

OP posts:
Pegasussnail · 12/04/2022 18:47

That's ridiculous

Vanillalatteplease · 12/04/2022 18:51

Nice!. I hope he enjoys it

ParisLondonTokyoSlough · 12/04/2022 18:51

That would annoy me too because how do you top that for Christmas or his birthday present now? Why is the random shopping trip present better than those gifts?

And it would have made more sense to get the normal switch for the reasons you mentioned.

Crunchycrouton · 12/04/2022 18:51

Well, I hope he likes it, but it’s a bit of an odd purchase outside Xmas/birthdays

transformandriseup · 12/04/2022 18:53

It would depend on your household income and how much you have saved. It would be a big purchase for us outside of Christmas or a Birthday.

girlmom21 · 12/04/2022 18:54

Why did he choose to buy it today? Have either have you made similar sized purchases out of the joint account without discussion before?

Leeds2 · 12/04/2022 18:56

Is it something that your DH wants for himself, rather than it being for your DS?
I would be furious if something like that was bought without prior discussion and agreement, not least because it could've been this year's birthday or Christmas present for DS!

Ops1 · 12/04/2022 18:57

My first thought was wow lucky boy!

But caveat with as long as it doesn’t take away from bills and you still have enough disposable for spends and day to day living why not

luxxlisbon · 12/04/2022 18:57

I mean this really depends on your finances and how ridiculous it is to spend £200.

To me you have already had a huge number of conversations about getting a switch so I don’t really see the huge deal about him buying it. How many discussions does it take to reach an agreement on a new item for DS?

I might have a conversation to DH about how DD needs new clothes or I’m thinking of getting her X, Y, Z large item toy and then I would just buy it, I wouldn’t actually call him up to ask permission if I seen it on offer or something and decided to buy it.

Troublesometooth · 12/04/2022 18:58

I bought a switch recently for no occasion. However it’s the normal one not the lite and it was a gift to the whole household.

I don’t like children getting consoles for birthdays, Xmas etc as it’s harder to then set limits.

Mamette · 12/04/2022 18:58

He’s bought it for himself by the sounds of it.

Original poster
Dramateacher1 · 12/04/2022 18:59

Why did he choose to buy it today? We had been talking about the possibility of getting one. As I say, I wanted to do it for birthday/Christmas and my husband wanted to get him it for when we went on holiday for the plane - I thought he’d be ok with us downloading a few games/tv episodes on the iPad. We can afford it, but to me that’s not the point. He can’t understand my argument (s)

OP posts:
Masterchiefsbutt · 12/04/2022 18:59

I agree with you, should have bought the full switch not a lite. They're shit.

duvetdayforeveryone · 12/04/2022 19:01

@Masterchiefsbutt

I agree with you, should have bought the full switch not a lite. They're shit.
This.
QforCucumber · 12/04/2022 19:01

The normal switch is handheld too so I don’t understand that argument tbh?

Would you spend £200 without discussing with him first?

Original poster
Dramateacher1 · 12/04/2022 19:03

He thinks the lite is better as it’s smaller and can be taken on the plane. He’d since said he’ll take it back and buy a proper switch which he’ll pay for himself, but smiths don’t do refunds on consoles/games snd it’s already been used now so would upset son (who doesn’t even like the game it comes with as it’s got too much reading - he’s 6)

OP posts:
dworky · 12/04/2022 19:04

@Ops1

My first thought was wow lucky boy!

But caveat with as long as it doesn’t take away from bills and you still have enough disposable for spends and day to day living why not

There are two parents so there should have been a discussion.
Original poster
Dramateacher1 · 12/04/2022 19:04

**The normal switch is handheld too so I don’t understand that argument tbh? - can be used both ways, so I thought it would be better.

Would you spend £200 without discussing with him first? - no

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 12/04/2022 19:07

He can’t understand my argument

Is this a regular state of affairs? Just wondering if there's more to this than this one unilateral decision? Does he do other things unilaterally, creating a general pattern that gets on your nerves?

Dairymilk50 · 12/04/2022 19:29

The switch that you can play on the TV. Especially if people come round to your house to visit its a good laugh.

There's a tennis game from Argos I bought really cheap you get the rackets and it's like being on the Wi.

I think he's wrong.

Dairymilk50 · 12/04/2022 19:30

@Mamette

He’s bought it for himself by the sounds of it.
Grin Sorry OP!
Notanotherwindow · 12/04/2022 19:37

He was ripped off for starters, they're £199 on amazon.

OnaBegonia · 12/04/2022 19:47

Sometimes it's just nice to treat your DC/self.
Do you discuss every purchases with your DH? You say you can afford it, let it go.

Coulddowithanap · 12/04/2022 20:48

The normal switch is handheld too and you can also take it on the plane. Its got the added benefit that you can link it to the TV or just use the screen separately from the controllers and play 2 player.

Ponderingwindow · 12/04/2022 20:52

Both versions can be used handheld. The lite is a bit easier to tote around, but the regular is more versatile.

It sounds like In your house this is a purchase that definitely should be discussed. In mine, it typically would, but we have both been known to indulge DC at random. Neither of us ever makes a purchase we can’t afford or does anything really ridiculous.