You Bought my 6 year old a WHAT???

The Sun King · 20-12-2015 02:01AM

Go somewhere with free wifi (plenty of options). Download apps etc. Disable internet while at home.

Easy.

unkel · 20-12-2015 02:01AM

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Well would me not knowing who has them tell you what sort of state our finances are in

Poverty is not an excuse for ignorance in this day and age. Access to information is free and you said you have internet access

You need to think long and hard about yourself and your family. Do you want your children to grow up being severely limited in their opportunities and / or be poor like yourself?

Sounds very harsh, but I mean you and your family well. Happy Christmas.

ted1 · 20-12-2015 02:02AM

Gaygooner wrote: »

I would consider Kindles- (the e reader not the fire) to be extremely child unfriendly

Yep but the fire kids tablets which are designed for kids are very good.

0ph0rce0 · 20-12-2015 02:02AM

Another thing to consider is the god father probably isn't a tech man himself. They way apple advertise you'd think it's the only decent tablet on the market so he bought what he thought was best and maybe not clued up on the mid range stuff that's just as good.

For me i dont see the problem. Its a once off gift and a nice one at that. Myself I'd rather pay an extra 100 quid or so on a good tablet that will be used for years to come than a load of toys that clutter up the house and never get played with again after Christmas day

Gaygooner · 20-12-2015 02:02AM

Ask him to get an Amazon Fire so

Moonbeam · 20-12-2015 02:03AM

Gaygooner wrote: »

I would consider Kindles- (the e reader not the fire) to be extremely child unfriendly

So would I but she is 6 and well able to use mine and I kind of want a chance to use mine too:)

Gaygooner · 20-12-2015 02:03AM

ted1 wrote: »

Yep but the fire kids tablets which are designed for kids are very good.

Well Kindle had been dropped from the name its Amazon Fire

Moonbeam · 20-12-2015 02:03AM

ted1 wrote: »

Yep but the fire kids tablets which are designed for kids are very good.

are they not just the normal ones with rugged cases?

Gaygooner · 20-12-2015 02:04AM

Moonbeam wrote: »

So would I but she is 6 and well able to use mine and I kind of want a chance to use mine too:)

Is it a fire or just an e reader???

ted1 · 20-12-2015 02:04AM

Gaygooner wrote: »

Quality not quantity

Haha there's your inexperience shining through again. Kids are vandals.

Gaygooner · 20-12-2015 02:05AM

ted1 wrote: »

Haha there's your inexperience shining through again. Kids are vandals.

Again. Kid proof cases!!!

The Sun King · 20-12-2015 02:05AM

Why even tell the kid that it's his?

Why not say "Uncle Eddy bought this for everyone to play on, so share blah blah blah"?

BreadnBuddha · 20-12-2015 02:05AM

Madness, the OP has already explained why they, as a parent, don't want their 6 year old having such an expensive gift.

They said that they're using a 9 year old laptop and a USB dongle as their finances are tight at the moment (that will get better in time OP)

The real clue, for everyone, is that finances are tight enough that priority is on a present from Santa, but doesn't stretch much further than that.

Yet people suggest taking broadband subscriptions, buying Otterbox cases, Tempered glass screen protectors and the likes....

Jesus wept.

OP, you're no doubt a fine parent and know yourself how best to raise your kids. I wouldn't second guess yourself on this. Do what you think is right for your son and daughter.

And Happy Christmas to you and yours.

Gaygooner · 20-12-2015 02:06AM

I didn't get the iPad and expect the parents to get the case. I got it so she could use it straight away.

Mourinho · 20-12-2015 02:06AM

unkel wrote: »

Do you want your children to grow up being severely limited in their opportunities and / or be poor like yourself?.

Has to be one of the biggest posts I've ever read on here Jesus Christ, absolutely disgusting.

ted1 · 20-12-2015 02:07AM

Gaygooner wrote: »

But as I haven't fertilised any eggs my opinion should be discounted???

This isn't the LGBT forum where you might get more of a response from a silly statement as that

We are talking about parents be they adoptive or biological.

Moonbeam · 20-12-2015 02:07AM

Gaygooner wrote: »

Is it a fire or just an e reader???

The e-reader.
I let them use our laptops and tablets imo they are too young for their own yet.

Gaygooner · 20-12-2015 02:08AM

ted1 wrote: »

This isn't the LGBT forum where you might get more of a response from a silly statement as that

We are talking about parents be they adoptive or biological.

So if I adopted a child I can partake???

I don't post in the lgbt forum tbf

Dodge · 20-12-2015 02:11AM

I think you're over thinking it. You say a tablet is fine but you don't want an iPad. No 6 year old knows the difference between the most expensive and least expensive tablet. Maybe have a word with the godfather about it being too extravagant but no harm will come from letting the present go to the kid.

As for 'get kids toys instead of technology'; it's laughable. Kids like to play games and watch cartoons. The medium is completely immaterial. Not to mention that they're expected to use computers and tablets at home for things like 'mathletics' and more and more coming down the line

Moonbeam · 20-12-2015 02:11AM

I am not sure if it is the time of day that is causing such posts but please keep this thread on topic.
The OP asked a question and for the most part is getting good constructive answers but please refrain from insulting them or suggesting that they want anything but the best for their children.

DivingDuck · 20-12-2015 02:11AM

wolfpawnat wrote: »

My sons godfather is a wealthier man than my daughter's godparents, they will get her a gift each as well, but her godfather gets her a dress and her godmother gets them both the same thing because she wants to be fair. They cannot compete for one second with something as extravagant as a ipad. so to me it is horrifically unfair and I wish for my children to be somewhat level. I am no fool they will not be exactly level, but a bit either way on the scales of fair is okay.

To be fair, you chose your children's godparents, so the fact that there's a financial disparity between them is not your son's godfather's fault.

To avoid this in future, you are going to need to set limits on how much the godparents can spend on the children. Explain that this is because you don't want the children to grow up feeling resentment over being treated differently. In my family, it always went that a child's godparent was closer/more generous with their own godchild, so in my view, your daughter's godmother should not be trying to split her budget between her and your son. It might make sense to allow both godparents to focus on their godchildren, but in the interest of fairness, you could set them the same price limit. Would that be something you would consider?

If you don't explain your perspective to the godfather one way or another, he's going to keep doing things like this, which doesn't help anyone. I personally don't agree with your position entirely, but your son is your son, and as he's so young, it is your right to set the limits you feel are reasonable. The godfather is going to need to accept that if he wants to be a part of the child's life, whether he agrees with them or not.

ted1 · 20-12-2015 02:12AM

unkel wrote: »

Poverty is not an excuse for ignorance in this day and age. Access to information is free and you said you have internet access

You need to think long and hard about yourself and your family. Do you want your children to grow up being severely limited in their opportunities and / or be poor like yourself?

Sounds very harsh, but I mean you and your family well. Happy Christmas.

People where able to study for PHDs long before the Internet and indeed many say the standards of students was better when they actually had to use library's and journals
Rather than googling anything they want, there's a hell of skit of misinformation available on the web.

GeneHunt · 20-12-2015 02:12AM

Before you send the ipad back, do some research on the benefits it could do for both your kids - there are some very good apps you can get for it, but limit the screen time. I would consider not telling you son that it's his, but from Santa to both your children or to the whole family. Run it past the godfather too.

There was report I saw on the BBC Click (technology programme on BBC News channel) a few months ago - where kids (about 5) in very poor parts of Africa got ipads for school work (funded by an American company), it was noticed that the kids learned there lessons much quicker. From this a study is currently going in the UK with UK kids about 5 yrs old. Teachers interviewed said (after 2 weeks i think it was) the kids with ipads were 6 weeks ahead of the school education program.

ted1 · 20-12-2015 02:15AM

GeneHunt wrote: »

Before you send the ipad back, do some research on the benefits it could do for both your kids - there are some very good apps you can get for it, but limit the screen time. I would consider not telling you son that it's his, but from Santa to both your children or to the whole family. Run it past the godfather too.

There was report I saw on the BBC Click (technology programme on BBC News channel) a few months ago - where kids (about 5) in very poor parts of Africa got ipads for school work (funded by an American company), it was noticed that the kids learned there lessons much quicker. From this a study is currently going in the UK with UK kids about 5 yrs old. Teachers interviewed said (after 2 weeks i think it was) the kids with ipads were 6 weeks ahead of the school education program.

6 weeks ahead of who? Kids with no tablets or kids with cheaper tablets.

delly · 20-12-2015 02:15AM

I think there are a lot of off-shoot points here, but it essentially boils down to the OP asking if they are irrational or not to be annoyed at getting such a gift.

I don't think your irrational OP, but some of your arguments are weak. Starting with paying for games and internet connectivity, or lack of it. Both are not a big deal because there are a tonne of games out there that do not have to be paid for. My 8 year old has had a tablet since 5, and in that time has only had two paid for games (Minecraft and Terreria). Even these have free versions out there. If you have a list of games to get, just wait until you are in a free wifi spot and download them. You don't need internet to play most of them.

Regarding sharing with the younger child, I hear you on your complications, but is this the child's fault? I don't want to sound harsh here, but you are going to let both your children miss out as you have not been able to put in a policy of acceptable sharing. I know it's easier said than done, but the generous godfather gets grief for buying a nice gift, but the MIL and her policy of creating a negativity of sharing wins out.

Regarding breakage, a fair point, but at least you do have the case. It will come at some stage that you have a delicate and/or expensive item for him as he gets older. He has to learn some time, it may as well be with something that you didn't pay for. My now 8 year old daughter has had a DS since 4, recently upgraded to a 3DS. Never had an issue with damage or breakage, she understands that if she didn't respect it, it would be her that loses out. I have a long history of gaming, so she is used to seeing me play since a toddler, so it isn't seen as anything out of the ordinary.

As regards the godfather paying out on such an expensive present, yes, this probably shouldn't have happened without asking you first. I'm sure it was done with good intent however, I can maybe presume the godfather doesn't have kids. Rather than knocking back the gift, maybe taking some time out to explain how it may not be appropriate and your concerns would put him on the right path for the future.

wolfpawnat · 20-12-2015 02:15AM

drunkmonkey wrote: »

You can share your internet connection with the iPad your already paying for, and you will be using this more than any of them, you really should get your head around this, it will be a benefit to you and the kids.

I know how broadband works, and I also know how data allowances work. I cannot afford an increase in internet costs at present.

Mourinho wrote: »

It's tough cause you can't really give it back without causing offence and I must say its great to see a god parent so involved, majority I've ever known it's just a title and they barely even spend time with the child.

An iPad is more a personal device now for all sorts it's not professional really anymore, kids to the elderly use them for lots of stuff! You may be thinking of the iPad Pro which is aimed at business.

If your download limit via the dongle is very low do you have a family member or friend who you could call into for an half hour for tea and download them? Or maybe is there a place near you like Starbucks, Costa Cofee or a MacDonalds that give free wifi?

Yes tho I would agree that it should be shared with his sister. I know it's for him and if the god father says anything just say in a friendly way your teaching him to share and you don't want the 2 year old to feel left out, frankly I can't see any reasonable person objecting to that.

We are very grateful and delighted at his contribution to his godson, we know how much it means to him too to have chosen, and we know he only does these things because he wants the best for the small man.

But the issue here stretches further than the Godfather, to the grandmother, who insists on treating my children as differently as possible to the advantage of the 6yo, and that is where the sharing would be an issue, a look at my posts about the woman on here tell you of her horrid nature and the issues that would arise.

BreadnBuddha wrote: »

Jaysus lads, would you lay off the OP.

A 6 year old boy should be given toys, not technology. Lego would have been a better choice.

The level of expenditure is embarrassing, for the giver. The parents shouldn't be embarrassed for a moment, and the OP is right to think that it's totally nuts to have a little boy own such a device when they're having to watch their pennies everywhere else.

The Godparent should have told the boy that he had a present already, bought him and his little sister a toy each and put a few quid in a card towards some christmas clobber or Santas parcel.

What he did was plain wrong.

That is the problem, he already gave him 150e for his savings. A bit of lego would have done to show that he is godfather, so a little something extra, or as I have stated, a tablet for children!

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

My 6 year old has an ipad, I bought an older generation second hand but she loves it.

Obviously she's not on it all day and night. But comes in handy for the rainy days where she can't go out and play and jump in the muck.

Great when your travelling too. For movies and what not.

When she's not using one of the family always picks it up to browse on, read on, watch TV, listen to music.

I find it very hard to believe you and your husband won't get any use out of it because "it's his only" I guarentee you'll be on it more the the child :-)

Great present in my opinion

In no way would he ever be allowed it in the car. His sister would have to watch him on it from the other side of the vehicle. That is a form of torture IMO. And his father and I don't agree with such things in the car personally, it is just something we prefer not to have.

theteal wrote: »

Any tablet would be good for a 6 yr old. The ipad is overkill but people fall for the marketing so what can you do? OP, it's a nice gift, I think you need to look beyond the cost of it and just see it as a gift. A tablet is a tablet to kids that age. I think you're looking too much into the potential jealousy aspect.

I really think it is not fair one child is so vastly treated better than another. She will get jealous, I know my children, and what can I do? I cannot get her one to make up the discrepancy.

Gaygooner wrote: »

It was frank not mean spirited - I got from her tone that they felt they child shouldn't have nice things if they don't have them

You clearly did not read my post properly then, otherwise you would have seen it was nothing to do with me, but of the over extravagance of that particular product, not the idea of a tablet as a whole

Del2005 wrote: »

Did the 6 year old ask his Godfather for get it? You can't really blame him for getting something that was requested.

The only good thing is that because you have no Internet he'll be sick of it in 10 minutes so the chances of it being broken are low.

That sickens me more, to think something so expensive left to waste. As for him asking for it and the man getting it. He should have called us. I mean, if he had asked for a Gibson guitar, should he have bought that?

drunkmonkey wrote: »

She needs to get her head around educational apps for her children's sake.

Wall, head, bang, repeat. Read my posts, I have no issues with tablets and childrens apps, I have an issue with the particular tablet being so damn expensive. How is this not getting into some peoples heads? I am okay with him having a durable and realistically priced tablet.

The Sun King · 20-12-2015 02:16AM

ted1 wrote: »

People where able to study for PHDs long before the Internet and indeed many say the standards of students was better when they actually had to use library's and journals
Rather than googling anything they want, there's a hell of skit of misinformation available on the web.

Study still requires the use of journals and articles. You are beat over the head about not using d'internet. Backed up by software that reads your essay for any unreferenced work from all sources, online or otherwise, I'm not sure where you got that idea.

coolbeans · 20-12-2015 02:19AM

Gaygooner wrote: »

It was frank not mean spirited - I got from her tone that they felt they child shouldn't have nice things if they don't have them

I think it's evident and understandable why giving an ipad to 6 year old as a Christmas present is inappropriate and ill advised given the regrettably tight financial situation the parents find themselves in. Imagine trying to manage expectations with the kids in the lead up to Christmas and then having the admittedly well ntentioned godfather scupper things at the last minute. Not to mind the growing evidence that giving ipads and the like to kids at that age could be a factor in declining attention spans.

But no, according to you the OP is just well jel.

Whyohwhy? · 20-12-2015 02:20AM

unkel wrote: »

LOL, will you join us in the real world?

iPads are really nice toys for kids, they are pretty obsolete for business professionals at this stage

Go and thank the godfather of your child for giving him such a generous gift!

And do yourself and your kid a favour and get broadband in your house. You seem to live in the 1980s?

Really? Not everyone can get broadband or afford it.
My only access to the Internet is through my phone. 20 quid a month.
The Internet wasn't a thing in the 80's BTW, it was only getting useful around the very late 90's ffs . and it was sh¡the up until the about ten years ago, you must be in yer early 20's to be thinking that.

An ipad, for a 6 year old is a bit much imo.
€100 android tablet does the same job...

unkel · 20-12-2015 02:21AM

GeneHunt wrote: »

Before you send the ipad back, do some research on the benefits it could do for both your kids - there are some very good apps you can get for it, but limit the screen time. I would consider not telling you son that it's his, but from Santa to both your children or to the whole family. Run it past the godfather too.

There was report I saw on the BBC Click (technology programme on BBC News channel) a few months ago - where kids (about 5) in very poor parts of Africa got ipads for school work (funded by an American company), it was noticed that the kids learned there lessons much quicker. From this a study is currently going in the UK with UK kids about 5 yrs old. Teachers interviewed said (after 2 weeks i think it was) the kids with ipads were 6 weeks ahead of the school education program.

That's pretty much the point I was trying to make, GeneHunt.

Deus ex machina giving the kid a modern tool (that his parents could never afford to give him) and the kid progresses and benefits. Isn't this all pretty obvious? If I were that parent in poor parts of Africa (or the OP) I would just be grateful for the gift and do whatever I could to support my kids progress.

And for the record, I don't like iPads. I think they are ridiculously overpriced and I think you can get an equally good tablet for about a quarter of the price.

You Bought my 6 year old a WHAT???

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