Am I a terrible father?

acedj1 · 07-18-2009, 10:40 PM

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 · 07-19-2009, 12:15 AM

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

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 · 07-19-2009, 10:51 AM

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 · 07-19-2009, 02:53 PM

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 · 07-19-2009, 05:40 PM

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 · 07-19-2009, 06:04 PM

Or a slingshot in my day.

iNinja · 07-19-2009, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Napoleon_PhoneApart

Or a slingshot in my day.

Your that young?

kokogirl · 07-19-2009, 08:36 PM

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 · 07-19-2009, 08:50 PM

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 · 07-19-2009, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Napoleon_PhoneApart

Or a slingshot in my day.

Don't you mean a trebuchet?