Am I a terrible father?

[acedj1]

For the last two months we've been living in a hotel as a result of a fire destroying our house. I have two sons - 8 and 6 yrs old. They lost all of their toys in the fire. Insurance company has paid out a nice check, and my sons are keen to spend "their portion"!! They both want iPods. They'd be happy with a shuffle, but I'm thinking I might get them a touch (would stop them playing games on my iPhone).

Would I be completely irresponsible to buy boys this young iPod touches?? Any experience on this? Stories that would help sway me one way or another.

And before you start your rants about "what kind of parent buys his kids such luxury items?", part of my thought process was to explain to them that this was a "special present" as they've been through so much (they're living with my wife and I in a hotel room during their school vacations!!).

Would probably get the $179 refurb one at apple.com

[psylichon]

I say go for it. Before long, they could be moderators here! :ok:ok

Seriously, it depends entirely on your amount of supervision. If you are as vigilant a father as you are generous, they'll be fine. And they'll freaking love you. Just don't let them leave the house with it!

[patrickj]

First off, I agree with Dave - on the 'go for it' side of things, and the idea that it's all about supervision. I think a lot of stuff with kids is also all about moderation - too much TV, too much computer / gaming / iPod Touching, too many sweets or too much junk food etc. - all bad if we let them run amok - but I think we all do our best to not let that occur.

Also, I have a 6 year old daughter who recently got my V1 iPhone as a hand-me-down when I got the 3GS - with its phone service turned off so it is now a glorified Touch. She loves it and is a heck of a knowledgeable little user already. She enjoys games, books, email back and forth to her grandparents and others, and googling for things she wants to learn about (or just to see pictures of horses).

I think if you keep an eye on things the Touch can be a great source of fun and education for your kids. Oh, and I agree that your kids richly deserve a special present right about now. :)

[danipoak]

They're like the gameboys of today. I got my first Gameboy when I was 8. My parents certainly regulated when I could play it and it often worked as a means to get my room clean.

[iNinja]

Agreed, iPod touches are a great treat for a child. When I was young I was given a Sega Mega drive and gameboy and I have turned out ok ;)

Seriously though, technology is improving and although ipod touches may seem luxurious they are no more damaging than a gameboy was back in the black and white days :)

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Or a slingshot in my day. :dft010:smiling

[iNinja]

Or a slingshot in my day. :dft010:smiling

Your that young? :dft011:wicked_smile

[kokogirl]

I say, let them get what they want!

Last Christmas, Darren and I got my 10 year old a Touch and my 8 year old a nano. Since then, my 10 year now has my V1 iPhone and now the 8 year old is using the 10 year old's Touch since the 10 year old may save her money and get a new iPhone when her contract is up for renewal.

My kids have had Gameboys for a few years, and although a couple of them met timely deaths (or had to be sent in for repair), my kids have been really good about taking care of their electronic toys.

I just made them pay for the repair or replacement of said broken toys. (They usually save money they get for gifts in a savings account to use over the course of the year).

I do suggest a hearty case for Touches, though. It is easy to have one slip from a child (or adult's hands).

[Youngbinks]

Your sons really are going to appreciate this. I agree with all of the above. If you tell them the importance of the gift and of its cost, in addition to monitor their behavior with them, the iPod Touches should last for a while. I also agree on getting a case, especially if they're going to be playing with them frequently.

[patrickj]

Or a slingshot in my day. :dft010:smiling

Don't you mean a trebuchet? :dft011:wicked_smile

[psylichon]

Don't you mean a trebuchet? :dft011:wicked_smile

I was imagining his era being more about the big wooden hoops with the stick.

http://nguyendows.net/Vacations/photos/Img_6581.jpg

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

No. I was shooting stones while riding my pterodactyl.

[Youngbinks]

No. I was shooting stones while riding my pterodactyl.

I didn't realize there were pterodactyls during the Cambrian period. Weird.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I didn't realize there were pterodactyls during the Cambrian period. Weird.

Yeah. A couple survived. Shaddap.

[Hondamaker]

Give 'em a touch. If my girls were that age and the iPod touch was around then, and I could have afforded one for each of them, I would have. Sorry about the fire!

[connie]

I agree with everyone else. Your boys have been through a lot losing their things, this will be something special. My kids also have ipod touches and have really been very responsible with them. I did get them cases because the backs do get scratched up really easy and I figured it would be a little protection in an accidental drop. It also keeps them entertained in the car, etc. So I think you should totally go for it!

[Dustu2]

I think it's absolutely wonderful that in a time of crisis such as this, you're still so concerned with keeping your children happy. Good on you! And I say that if you can afford it, absolutely go with it!

And, as a "kid" myself, I think it's only right that I give you my opinion on moderation; The only time I would take the iPod Touches away from MY kids(as if I actually have any idea what I'm talking about), would be as punishment. As in:

DO: "You did not clean your room. Give me your iPod."
DO NOT: "Give me your iPod, you can have it back when you clean your room."

Just drawing from my own experience, because that's the way I always preferred it when I was not beyond arguing with my parents over cleaning my room. :027:asured

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Great sig, Shawn!

[Dustu2]

Great sig, Shawn!

well, ya know. I try. :dft009:happy

[Insane Asylum]

Ya give em one, but don't let them leave the house with it. It will end up on the swings or something.:dft011:wicked_smile

[billnye97]

The only concern I would have as a parent (even though I'm not one yet) would be there access to the internet. If you have your wifi password protected at home so no unsupervised web surfing could occur it would be for the best. Unfortunately we live in a sick world.

[MrEous]

It's just me but I would have waited till they are a little more responsible...that's not to say your kids aren't.

I have a 12 and a 7 yr old, btw. The 12 is a boy and doesn't take as good a care of electronics as my 7-girl does.

I know they basically have 'free' money (sorry about the fire) to spend but if they only wanted a normal iPod then why spend the extra money on a scratch-susceptible and breakable glass product?

[MileHighRob]

I believe the OP has probably already made a decision on this matter. He's not responded to anything since creating the thread over a month ago.

[Hondamaker]

I believe the OP has probably already made a decision on this matter. He's not responded to anything since creating the thread over a month ago.My God, someone finally noticed.

[MrEous]

I believe the OP has probably already made a decision on this matter. He's not responded to anything since creating the thread over a month ago.
You're right, opinions in a forum should have a shelf life.
:012:crying

[MileHighRob]

Perhaps opinions don't need a shelf life but if you're answering a question in which the OP abandoned immediately after asking, maybe you just like to see yourself type. :dft011:wicked_smile

[psylichon]

I think once a question is posed to a forum, it automatically enters a timeless, hypothetical realm. I wouldn't lose sleep over it, MrEous :ok:ok

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Don't sweat it, MrEous - I'm still waiting on my question as to whether or not firmware 1.1.2 is a worthwhile upgrade to 1.1.1...

[Andrew_]

I can't say much because I'm only 16 and I have an iPhone but I've seen kids around that age with cell phones and more. An iPod Touch wouldn't hurt. :P

[MrEous]

Not losing sleep...but thanks

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I can't say much because I'm only 16 and I have an iPhone but I've seen kids around that age with cell phones and more. An iPod Touch wouldn't hurt. :P

Andrew, you have as much right to be heard as anyone else here!

Now hush...:dft010:smiling:dft010:smiling:dft010:smili ng

[RossMc]

Yes you are a terrible father by doing that

So to solve the situation you should give the iPods to me :D


God loves a tryer ;)

[styfle]

This is a public forum so this thread could be answering millions of questions!
As dave said, it's timeless...minus the date at the top.

[MileHighRob]

Well alrighty then. BTT

They say if she asks if she looks fat in that dress... well you get the picture.

[Hookem99]

DO: "You did not clean your room. Give me your iPod."


My line of thinking exactly and it also works GREAT on my 11 year old daughter. The great thing is, is that after I implemented the above mentioned consequence, her room has stayed pretty darn clean for months now. She hates not having her touch! My 9 year old son on the other hand, well, thats a whole other story..... any one need a Nintendo DSi? Not sure he'll ever get that back......:dft006:unhappy

OP: Sorry to hear about the fire.... Hope everyone was ok!

[bulls6pack]

When I bought my 3GS, my V1 was pretty much destroyed. The back was all scratched up, the wifi didnt work anymore, and it just wasnt cutting it anymore. So I gave it to my 5 year old. It was only 4GB so I thought he would be able to put 3-4 movies on it, some music, and a few games. He loved it, until he misplaced it. Luckily I had it insured through my insurance company. So I go buy him an iPod Touch for $225, and I bank the other $275. Only this time I told him to treasure this one, because when its gone, its GONE! So to answer your question, are you a terrible father, well if you are, I dont want to know what I am!

[soccerphysio]

This has been an incredibly informative thread for me, with Christmas quickly approaching. My oldest son, 11, has put the iTouch and PSP on his wish list, hoping to get one of them. When I pressed him as to which he wanted more, he said the Touch.

My concern is the gaming experience (he has an iPod already, but wants the Touch because of the movie capability and to play games). He is constantly wanting to "play" on my phone, but I'm not sure that the quality of games would keep him as interested as he thinks after a few months.

For those of you that have kids this age, did they continue to enjoy it months later?

Also, would there be a way to block the internet access, as he would not need this aspect?