Mom's of 11 & 7 yr. old boys...especially ones that may use an adopt-a-family agency - The DIS Discussion Forums

pat fan · 11-20-2009, 06:37 PM

We have "adopted" a family with an 11 yr. old boy and 7 yr. old boy. The older boy asked for a Ripstick...The cheapest I've found one is around $50 online. That is more than I usually spend on one toy. We usually get an outfit and a couple toys etc... for each child on our list. Now he also has games & puzzles on the list. Do I spend the $$ and got 1 gift and maybe clothes? Or a couple smaller gifts?

Also, as for his brother, he asked for a robot (???) and puzzles & games, race cars with track. If I get the little guy a few presents and the big guy only has 1 "toy" will there be hard feelings?

Also, what the heck is a robot that a 7 yr. old would want? I have no clue and don't know any 7 yr. old boys to ask!!!!

Sorry it's so long of a post, but I'm very unsure of what to do.. HELP!!!

BeenHereB4 · 11-20-2009, 06:43 PM

We cannot participate this year, but I would think getting the 17yo the one gift he really wants would mean more to him than getting 3 to 4 gifts that he just kinda wants or something, KWIM?

Discovery store has some robotic animals for kids - as does TRU. There is also some kind of Irobot thing, but I have no idea what it does - perhaps it has to be hooked into an Ipod.

All the times that we've done this, I was never able to purchase everything requested, I just tried to figure what would mean the most to each child.

Good luck to you and it's so nice what you are doing, that's all that really matters.

Minniemama350 · 11-20-2009, 06:48 PM

I think anything you are able to do is great. An 11 year old should be able to understand cost well enough to "get" that their one gift is the same amount as the other's multiple gifts. I know you want to make it special and I am sure it will be great, whatever you decide to do.

FSUDisneyGirl · 11-20-2009, 06:55 PM

Get the Ripstick (if you can afford it). They are so popular with the kids that age at my school! He can even ride it to school, and do different tricks, ride with his friends, teach his brother to ride it...I think it's a great gift.

pat fan · 11-20-2009, 07:06 PM

Thanks.....my DH and friend said the same thing..but I'm such a "it all has to be equal" person I'm having a real hard time with it.

mom2val · 11-20-2009, 08:33 PM

Another vote for the ripstick. It will get used for years and the other stuff will be forgotten in a month.

3boymthr · 11-20-2009, 09:54 PM

I'd say get the ripstick and then if you feel you really really need to even things up a little see if you can find a deck of plain old playing cards at the dollar store. Believe it or not but things like playing war and rummy are really popular with that age group at the after school programs.

griergirl2 · 11-20-2009, 10:51 PM

If you have a K-Mart, I believe I saw the ripstick advertized for $34.99 on black friday.

pat fan · 11-21-2009, 07:56 AM

No K-Mart's around here. Heck, I have to drive 40 minutes just to get to a Walmart!!

SnoWhiteRabbit · 11-21-2009, 09:39 AM

Mom of an 11 year old here (girl, but 11). Go with the ripstick. If that's what's popular and his friends have them and all go out to use them, having one or not having one is a big deal...a few extra games or puzzles won't be as big a deal. I agree the deck of cards is a great idea. I guess no 5 Below by you either? Sometimes you can pick up a good game...Maybe Kmart on line will do the rip stick online for $35...Good luck!

11-20-2009, 06:37 PM	#1
pat fan I'm leaving now so I don't have to witness what comes next Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: ma. Posts: 2,043	Mom's of 11 & 7 yr. old boys...especially ones that may use an adopt-a-family agency We have "adopted" a family with an 11 yr. old boy and 7 yr. old boy. The older boy asked for a Ripstick...The cheapest I've found one is around $50 online. That is more than I usually spend on one toy. We usually get an outfit and a couple toys etc... for each child on our list. Now he also has games & puzzles on the list. Do I spend the $$ and got 1 gift and maybe clothes? Or a couple smaller gifts? Also, as for his brother, he asked for a robot (???) and puzzles & games, race cars with track. If I get the little guy a few presents and the big guy only has 1 "toy" will there be hard feelings? Also, what the heck is a robot that a 7 yr. old would want? I have no clue and don't know any 7 yr. old boys to ask!!!! Sorry it's so long of a post, but I'm very unsure of what to do.. HELP!!! __________________ "Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be." -- John Wayne

11-20-2009, 06:43 PM	#2
BeenHereB4 I'm not really new :) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 376	We cannot participate this year, but I would think getting the 17yo the one gift he really wants would mean more to him than getting 3 to 4 gifts that he just kinda wants or something, KWIM? Discovery store has some robotic animals for kids - as does TRU. There is also some kind of Irobot thing, but I have no idea what it does - perhaps it has to be hooked into an Ipod. All the times that we've done this, I was never able to purchase everything requested, I just tried to figure what would mean the most to each child. Good luck to you and it's so nice what you are doing, that's all that really matters. __________________ Me & DH (the newlyweds 5/9/09 ), DS9 , DD6 , Rico Nikon D80 - just learning

11-20-2009, 06:55 PM	#4
FSUDisneyGirl Hey, my eye feels weird....AAAAAAAAAAUUG HGHGHGHH!!! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 1,606	Get the Ripstick (if you can afford it). They are so popular with the kids that age at my school! He can even ride it to school, and do different tricks, ride with his friends, teach his brother to ride it...I think it's a great gift. __________________ Erin WDW College Program ~ Spring '07!

11-20-2009, 07:06 PM	#5
pat fan I'm leaving now so I don't have to witness what comes next Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: ma. Posts: 2,043	Thanks.....my DH and friend said the same thing..but I'm such a "it all has to be equal" person I'm having a real hard time with it. __________________ "Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be." -- John Wayne

11-20-2009, 08:33 PM	#6
mom2val Can't wait to go back Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 333	Another vote for the ripstick. It will get used for years and the other stuff will be forgotten in a month. __________________ Kristen 36 (me) Craig 38 (DH) Valerie (DD age 9) WDW off property '80, '82, '89 CBR 10/05, AKL 11/08, POP 12/09, WL 12/10

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11-20-2009, 06:48 PM	#3
Minniemama350 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 521	I think anything you are able to do is great. An 11 year old should be able to understand cost well enough to "get" that their one gift is the same amount as the other's multiple gifts. I know you want to make it special and I am sure it will be great, whatever you decide to do.

11-20-2009, 09:54 PM	#7
3boymthr DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southeastern Mass. Posts: 2,273	I'd say get the ripstick and then if you feel you really really need to even things up a little see if you can find a deck of plain old playing cards at the dollar store. Believe it or not but things like playing war and rummy are really popular with that age group at the after school programs. __________________ (me) (dh) ds (13) ds (9) ds (7)

11-20-2009, 10:51 PM	#8
griergirl2 Having entirely too much fun!! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 388	If you have a K-Mart, I believe I saw the ripstick advertized for $34.99 on black friday. __________________ No trip planned right now me DH DD Nana Papa Bro

11-21-2009, 07:56 AM	#9
pat fan I'm leaving now so I don't have to witness what comes next Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: ma. Posts: 2,043	No K-Mart's around here. Heck, I have to drive 40 minutes just to get to a Walmart!! __________________ "Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be." -- John Wayne

11-21-2009, 09:39 AM	#10
SnoWhiteRabbit DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 1,860	Mom of an 11 year old here (girl, but 11). Go with the ripstick. If that's what's popular and his friends have them and all go out to use them, having one or not having one is a big deal...a few extra games or puzzles won't be as big a deal. I agree the deck of cards is a great idea. I guess no 5 Below by you either? Sometimes you can pick up a good game...Maybe Kmart on line will do the rip stick online for $35...Good luck! __________________ Snow White Rabbit (11) (9) (7) NEXT TRIP? BeSt ChRiStMaS GiFt from DH The OK to plan our next trip 11/09 Trip postponed until DH is working again (My 41st Birthday Trip?) * 1/08 Grand Gathering POR - Papa's 70th & Blaise's 6th - Pirate & Princess Party! * 11/05 POR - Jersey Week - Food & Wine Festival * 12/04 POP & ASMo - MVMCP * 10/02 POFQ & ASMo - DD 4th Birthday & MNSSHP * 5/01 AKL & POR - Flower & Garden Festival * 5/00 ASMo - Flower & Garden Festival * Childhood trips... 7/83 Disneyland * 2/79 POL * 12/75 First Trip - age 6 (off site) Thanks Gramma for the best Christmas gift ever! I'll always remember the magic...*

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