Should I buy more for 10yo ds1?

[accessorizequeen]

Ds1 had his birthday last week, so he got a few bits. Not loads though. Main things were a plasma globe & science kit. He only asked for a plasma globe. We did discuss buying him a tablet or new iPod but decided against it, dp felt he'd just get more obsessed. For Christmas, he's asked for a lizard but we've said no before and told him why. The equipment for it would be pricey and I don't think he's mature enough, it would just be work for me & I can't do it at present. All I have got him is a iPod dock a toy plush snake and his stocking is filled with some good bits like magic tree & rear vision glasses. And he's getting a trip to the Lego discovery centre with his dad (overnight stay). I am going to pick up a dsi game or Wii game tomorrow but I just wonder whether we've gone a bit too minimalist?

He's got plenty.

I just looked at the lists of stuff other people give their 9-10 year olds and felt crap. And he's not getting the one thing he's asked for. We can afford more, I just genuinely don't know what to get him.

More than I've got my 9 year old. In fact I think it sounds loads and he's a very lucky boy.

Thank you both, I feel better. It's just the dc look forward to it all year & would hate for him to feel disappointed. The dock was only £25 but I hope he will think its pretty funky!

dock sounds great.

maybe a book and a selection box too.

I have got him some chocs for stocking & a minecraft book. I never had a stocking as a child (grew up in Australia) and find it hard to grasp the importance of them in England sometimes!

I never had a stocking. I just stuff things that fit in the DDs.

(Not that I fill DD2's it's huge)

well sounds like the shit balance then. you're worried about the lizard aren't you but he's old enough to accept your reasoning.

omg predictive text

the right balance

Right amount of stuff. Kids get too much here & most of it is barely touched so they expect more because they get more. Better to concentrate on fewer but more meaningful gifts.

If you are still worried about his gifts seeming less, than do a stocking of chocs, stationary. Toilletry, bubbles, magic face cloths, socks, undies, books, slippers & pjs. All can be bought from primark, pound shops for not much money but will bulk out his gifts iyswim.

Forgot to add a cheesy xmas mug with marshmallows & hot choc. M&s do a box of hot choc which come in individual sachets so you can put it in mug with marshmallows, candy canes & bag of coins & then wrap it in tissue paper.

The things you've bought are great.

My nearly ten year old has younger siblings, so will get to raid their stuff, but he really loves having something to 'do' on they day. He still plays with toys, so he's getting a Lego set, the Q- Bitz game, and a couple of Transformers.

Only because I'm certain he isn't ready for a toy free Christmas yet.

He also has one of the little Minecraft books, his brother is getting the other, they are beautiful looking books.

I am worried about the lizard! He's asked all year and I've consistently said no but he would love an animal. He's being assessed for ASD and animals seem to calm him down a lot, but my life dealing with his behaviour, 3 other dc and the rest of it is too hectic at present to add a lizard into the mix.
Pleased that the presents sound alright, he was quite happy with a few for birthday. He'd probably love the mug idea not sure if I have time /energy to do all 4dc though I don't so same thing in each. I will pick up some smaller things today in town as clearly the stocking's the thing! Thanks, all. It's the first non-Lego buying year since he was 3, maybe that's what's got me twitchy!

My DS will be getting 3 new ps3 games. Not much to look at but cost £40 each so not cheap.
It's hard when one item can cost a lot so try to bulk out with stuff from pound land, home bargains, etc.
As for the pet I would agree to one next year if you think he will have matured a but more by then.

hes got plenty, and what important is that it things he will love.

though the pet thing.. not saying get one for christmas but is there another animal that is less demanding and expensive? like a kitten?

I think he's got a good haul, as my dbro would say.

We got a docking station for dd's present. She's 10 and I think she'll love it. Try not to worry too much.

Lol at a kitten being less demanding than a lizard. Lizards stay where they are put in their cage. Op quite a lot of easy to care for lizards that you find in pet shops eat crickets and you don't want those little bastards running around and breeding in your house if your son let some out accidentally! You have sound reasoning for not getting a pet right now. I got a hamster when I was 11 and my mum was very clear that if we didn't look after them they would be rehomed-it made sure we took damn good care of them but is easy for kids to lose interest in a pet and most lizards live a lot longer than hamsters.

Is it possible to adopt a lizard at local zoo? Or find a zoo somewhere, it could be worldwide, that has a webcam on a lizard or similar animal? I have done adopt a snow leopard for DD (10), I think she'll be delighted, as well as quite a few other things. Might try to get the hot choc thing, that sounds good

No way am I feeding crickets to a lizard in my non-existent spare time! I think a kitten would be hard work but we are thinking of a cat.

www.snakesalive.co.uk/Services/Adoption/Animal_Adoption.html

so he could say he has a part share in someone elses?

Cats are great and tbh I don't think kittens are massively hard work. Lizards are potentially trickier and less robust. Also probably a lot less cuddly so I imagine less good at calming a child on the spectrum than something like a cat or a dog that can become a real friend to them.

What about a factual book all about lizards?

well to me is it less demanding.. id hate having to clean the cage/tank.. weekly... a cat you play with it, feed it and do a litter try which takes all of 2 minutes. cats pretty much take care of themselfs.

The snakes alive site looks great, thanks. I think a cat ought not to be much hassle but we did have one that weed everywhere which did my head in. I definitely think a cat would help ds1 stay calmer, he changes completely when he sees a cat on the street even.

I think an animal adoption is a great idea too and he will get magazines throughout the year to keep him interested. I think what you have bought sounds fine. Agree with adding the game and some little bits to play/make/do (maybe top trump cards? or a board game even?)

I know this has now turned into a "which pet should you get" debate, and clearly the answer is "none" if it's not what suits you as a family.

However, I would concur that a kitten would be the best bet and a kitten is not any more work that a cat- they rarely wee everywhere as they are easier to train when they are young. Alternatively what about a Rat? - they make great pets.

I do see rats recommended a lot but really don't want one! We've been thinking about a cat all year. I would prefer a cat but think the kids will be so chuffed with a kitten, it's pretty magical. Don't know that we should do it for Christmas though.

Bought him a wii game today and may pop to home bargains for mugs. Currently in his stocking, there's a Rio DvD, Dance 3cd set (cheap!), origami set, minecraft book, choc tube, magic tree, headphones and rear vision glasses. Honestly don't know what I was worried about, it's masses and I've spent too much.