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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to let 3 of my kids have their own computers?

161 replies

Rosbo · 04/03/2008 19:11

my MIL thinks its spoilt to let them have their own computers, however they are teenagers and use them for schoolwork as well as other things such as social networking sites like facebook and MSN messenger with their friends. Many of their friends have their own laptops or computers too. My dd2 aged 16, recently described herself as "Complete" when her hair straighteners were fixed as she "found it hard to cope" without them. Are my kids becoming too materialistic for their own good?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rosbo · 04/03/2008 22:48

*school

OP posts:
MotherFunk · 04/03/2008 22:49

Message withdrawn

MotherFunk · 04/03/2008 22:50

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Rosbo · 04/03/2008 22:51

Yes MotherFunk I agree, I think some people on this thread will be eating their words in a few years time, when their kids hit high school!

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 04/03/2008 22:52

What kind of friends label their peers social outcasts for not having their own laptop?
But then I didn't go to private school.
Is this what I missed?

Original poster
Rosbo · 04/03/2008 22:53

No, because most state school children have their own laptops when they reach about gcse age too, I know this because my DH is a music teacher at one.

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 04/03/2008 22:55

Therer is a difference between my happy little pc and the endless gagdets and software that fill Rosbo's home

MotherFunk · 04/03/2008 22:56

Message withdrawn

mrsruffallo · 04/03/2008 22:57

Rosbo, why have you posted on aibu if you feel you are?
There is obviously something that isn't sitting well with you

mrsruffallo · 04/03/2008 23:00

It's not the same at all MF. I don't particularly remember them being social outcasts but anyway, it was down to parental choice to not buy one.
There are many, many families who could not afford to buy their teenagers a laptop each so I don't think that it is the equivalent at all

Original poster
Rosbo · 04/03/2008 23:03

If you look at the First post, I said my MIL thinks my children are spoilt and wanted others opinions on this.

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 04/03/2008 23:05

I think they sound a bit spoilt, but I don't know them personally so it is hard to know for sure.
Do you think they are?

mrsruffallo · 04/03/2008 23:08

I think you wanted to know if they sounded materialistic too.
It certainly sounds as if they are in a very matrialistic environment, where they are bullied by peers for not owning a laptop.
This would rub off on them.
Do you think that are?

Original poster
Rosbo · 04/03/2008 23:10

No, I don't. But then I think its a bit impossible to see if your own dc are spoilt, because I'd be the one spoiling them. But I've seen other peoples dc's and thought 'ooo how spoilt they are!' and maybe others think the same of me. They have a lot of nice things, like my two older DDs have lots of clothes and make up and as I've said they all have their computers and they all have their own bedrooms. Does that sound spoilt, be honest?

OP posts:
JodieG1 · 04/03/2008 23:11

Rosbo no that doesn't sounds spoilt to me at all. Own rooms and some make-up, etc isn't spoilt.

I also agree with MF on this one.

warthog · 04/03/2008 23:12

it's not whether you're spoiling them that bothers me. it's that they'll sit in their rooms for hours on end on their pooters, not interacting with anyone and you won't have a clue of what they're up to.

if they all worked on their laptops in the living room / kitchen, i wouldn't have a problem with it.

Original poster
Rosbo · 04/03/2008 23:13

Thankyou

OP posts:
agnesnitt · 04/03/2008 23:13

To be frank, they do sound spoilt, but that is by my standards.

Agnes

warthog · 04/03/2008 23:14

sorry rosbo.

no, i don't think they'll be spoilt. they'll use them for work. having their own tv's is spoilt imho, not computers.

PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 04/03/2008 23:14

rosbo no i would not

no i dont

Original poster
Rosbo · 04/03/2008 23:14

Okay, so warthog, are you saying the solution is to buy DS a laptop too, then we can all sit round the family room and kitchen on our laptops? Cos it sounds like you are.

OP posts:
agnesnitt · 04/03/2008 23:14

Not meant nastily, just too tired to type

Agnes

RustyBear · 04/03/2008 23:15

My MIL used to say my two were spoilt because I bought them stuff (not an excessive amount, just more than DH & his sister had had), but I always thought it was far worse to do as she always did & give in to tantrums & whinging.

One day I told her so......

warthog · 04/03/2008 23:15

i guess so...

JodieG1 · 04/03/2008 23:15

I just don't see how these children can be seen to be spoilt?

Spoilt, to me, means getting every whim catered for and this is not what is happening here.

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