Christmas gifting Ipod touches

[ilovejack02]

I always hated that argument "if you get X when they are young, what will you get them when they are older?"

Honestly, it's not necessary to increase the gift each year. Just because they get something when they are young does not mean each year it just has to get bigger and better. Unless, of course, you are raising Dudley Dursley.

Last year, my kids' got the iTouches. This year, they aren't getting anything remotely like that.

Exactly !

DS9 got an Itouch last year, this Christmas is a gadget free Christmas, nothing he needs . I don't care about amping up presents each year. One year when my oldest turned 16 he got a car, next birthday he was handed 100.00 in cash. No need to top every years gifts.

 

[Missy1961]

I don't have kids, but I spend a lot of time with my nieces & nephews. We all have Touches or Iphones. (I love my Touch!!!!!). Anyway, we'll sit around & talk, or go out & shoot hoops or whatever. And we also sit around with our devices & show each other the stuff we have. Last week, I was out to dinner with my dad. We were having a conversation about our governor, we couldn't remember how old he is. I took out my Touch & looked it up, then put the Touch away. Handy, wonderful tool. Doesn't cut me off from the world, but it can help me navigate my way around it!

And as to "if they get this now, what do they get in the future?" discussion, well, there'll probably be some new exciting technology that we haven't even thought of. I mean, 15 years ago, who imagined you could carry the internet in your pocket? Or they'll get shirts & underwear. Or cash. Just because they get something fancy this year doesn't mean they have to get something fancy next year.

 

[luvmy3]

We are a family that doesn't watch much tv. Our kids are monitored what they watch and how often and it's not much. They do see the Disney channel and stuff like that but not really all that much. They also have access to video games and the internet and can use it, but we do monitor their time on it and what they are doing on it. They do not have full access to anything online and would not be allowed to download games or movies or anything like that without our permission. In fact to turn on the tv, video games, internet, etc., they must ask permission first. Together we determine if there is a better use of their time and usually they will decide on something else and do so happily. But, they do get their "play" time and enjoy that too.

Simply put, we do have gadgets in our home but it's just not something the kids have gotten to have free rein with. Were we traveling or they were on the bus to school or anything like that, the rules would still be the same. They spend their time studying, reading, playing games, playing outdoors, etc. and that's how we choose their lives to me. They are not unhappy with this lifestyle at all. Sure they'd love to have what their friends get to have but we have taught them that our family goals are what they follow.

Please don't judge me or flame me or whatever. I am by no means pointing a finger at anyone and saying what you are doing is wrong. If your child is glued to their I-touch every waking hour, that's your choice and I am not judging that. I am simply saying thank you for the information provided because it has helped me clarify a decision I had pretty much already made anyway.

So let me get this straight, you assume that a child who has an Ipod touch must be glued to it 24/7, and couldn't possibly do anything else because their parents let them have free reign with the electronics?
And please don't come here and try to say that's not what you are implying because this post says it all. You should have just posted this right off the bat, especially since you knew you weren't buying them Ipod touches in the first place. It would have saved alot of excuses and contradictions on your part.

 

[DVCLiz]

Who's the Best Mommy?

I am! I am!

For a second here I thought I'd wandered into one of every other Tuesday morning PTA meetings.

Honestly, the mark of a "real" Best Mommy is that she can look back later and say, "Oh, my God, I can't believe how insufferably smug I used to be!"

We have all been here once or twice- the "I'll never let my child use a pacifier, play with guns or Barbies, have a cellphone in middle school, go to a coed high school slumber party, etc. etc." Whatever your hot button issue is, chances are excellent that your very own precious child will try - and often succeed - in doing the very thing you swore s/he would never, never, not in a million years, be able or want to do.

I'd love to revisit the OP and her children in five years, just to see this happen to her, as it has happened to all of us.

 

[Colleen27]

Nintendo DSi at Target.........$150
Decent mp3 player...............$50
1 game for DSi..................$30
Notsogreat inexpensive camera...$90
Kindle/Nook....................$80?
Bag or case to carry all the stuff?

Total just for that............$400

Ipod Touch.....................$200
Camera included
Video included
Surfs the internet
Surfs Youtube
Electronic reader app
App for using as a phone (through wifi)
App for texting (through wifi)


Many free games and apps and you could purchase 20
pay games and apps yet to make up the difference in
price without even including all the other functions.

That's it in a nutshell for us. My DD10 originally wanted a Nook, because I use the Nook app on my computer as an e-reader. She's a big reader, as are DH & I, and the book-clutter in our house is out of control so we're switching to more e-books and library use (the latter limited by the offerings of a small-town library). But she's a crafter and having a handheld gizmo with a browser that she can have on the craft table if she's working on something from a blog tutorial is a nice perk, and replacing the other gizmos that she carries (including an inexpensive, not-so-good camera and MP3 player that go everywhere with her) is a big plus as well.

 

[indimom]

. Forget it.

 

[mjkacmom]

As long as you have free unlimited data or you're on wi-fi I think this is fine. If you're trying to stream via 3G, I'd be afraid...very afraid! I am no expert, but I'm pretty sure streaming video on 3G chews through data pretty quickly, so just keep an eye on it or do it w/wi-fi instead.

I thought you could only access netflix through wi-fi? I have a 3G droid, $30 data package, and I think it's unlimited? I know nothing, but dd10 was very excited to watch Toddlers and Tiaras (because we only watch educational television ) on her ipod touch.

 

[vicki_c]

I thought you could only access netflix through wi-fi? I have a 3G droid, $30 data package, and I think it's unlimited? I know nothing, but dd10 was very excited to watch Toddlers and Tiaras (because we only watch educational television ) on her ipod touch.

You can watch Netflix through 3G. I do it on my phone.

But iPod Touches don't have 3G, only Wi-Fi.

 

[Marionnette]

I guess I just don't get why everyone is maligning me. Over and over I have stated that your choice is yours, mine is mine and it's not my place to judge you or you to judge me. I AM a great parent, aren't you? Doesn't EVERY parent feel that way? I am not unique, never professed to be. My choices are mine, yours are yours. My kids won't be getting an Ipod touch, it's that simple. I made that choice because it fits my life. My saying that is NOT, NOT, NOT a judgement against anyone who wants to get one. Also what my kids do in their lives for fun is our family's choice. I am not at all saying that if you have an electronic toy, you aren't a good parent or you or your children are making bad activity choices. For goodness sake, what kind of person would I be to make such rash judgement over someone's life whom I do not even know beyond a few words in this forum?

I turned to this group for honest information. This is a BUDGET board and I was looking for information in great part to help me in BUDGETING and whether or not it was worth it to me to buy something so expensive. Yes, I know kids who have them, but I wanted adult/parent opinions. Yes, I was aware of what they can do, but I wanted to know why parents felt their kids should have one at all or in place of a similar item, what they felt the benefit was. I like to be thorough, fully aware and rely on adult feedback to make solid financial choices. I never set forth to be critical of you all and I'm not sure why are so critical of me. Yes, this gadget is an elaborate "toy" in most respects and is used to occupy a child's time for whatever amount of time. Is that good or bad? It's totally up to you to decide. My choice is mine, yours is yours. We should make those choices proud of ourselves and less in judgement of someone who differs from our thinking.

I am done with tis subject. I found what I( wanted to know and I do appreciate all the solid feedback. Despite the "snarkiness" that has formed, I learned what I needed to learn and am grateful.

Just keep digging that hole, OP.

 

[DawnM]

You can access Netflix through the internet, whether it is through 3G or wifi, either will work. If you have limited data on your droid you will need to be careful though, streaming sucks data up fast.

Dawn

I thought you could only access netflix through wi-fi? I have a 3G droid, $30 data package, and I think it's unlimited? I know nothing, but dd10 was very excited to watch Toddlers and Tiaras (because we only watch educational television ) on her ipod touch.

 

[powellrj]

The OP reminds me of those posts that start out as "I'm such a bad mom because" and then go on to tell us what a wonderful parent she really is and what losers the rest of us are for letting our kids do whatever it is she won't let her kids do.

If you really wanted to know about IPod touches, then ask without all the editorials about why you kids will never have them.

 

[DISdreamin']

You can watch Netflix through 3G. I do it on my phone.

But iPod Touches don't have 3G, only Wi-Fi.

My response about watching data useage was because the person posting about streaming Netflix specifically mentioned they were excited to learn they could do it with their Phone.

I'm so happy I read this entire thread. Not only are my kids going to be thrilled they can stream netfix videos through their ipod touches, but I just discovered I can stream them through my phone! What a happy day for me.

That is why I cautioned them that, if they weren't on unlimited data, they might run into issues if they opted to do this on 3G instead of wi-fi.

So yes, the iPod Touch has only wi-fi connectivity so no worries there, but the phone has both and you'd want to watch how you were streaming if you were using the PHONE to do so.

And to mjkacmom, who I was responding to originally, if you have the $30 data plan with AT&T I think means you are grandfathered into unlimited data. I believe their other plans are now $15 and $25 or something like that. So you should be good to go without worries! I'd just hate to have someone start streaming video on their phone only to find out they went through their limited data and were accruing additional data fees, this being the budget board and all, KWIM?

 

[Suz D]

Haven't read the whole thread (I know, bad me).

OP, I completely understand where you are coming from. I was coming from the same place until we got a free IPod Touch for signing up for Comcast. I would never have spent the money for one for a child that young (way more than we spend for gifts for a child that young). But our five year old absolutely LOVES to play with it. Would I run right out and buy one for her knowing what I know now...just maybe.

I have a ton of educational apps on there. She's learned a LOT about math at a more advanced level than she would normally be taught. It's not frustrating for her because it's a game. She also started sounding out words to lay the groundwork for her reading skills. Finally, there are some just plain fun ones on there.

As far as music, we have some fun classical music (Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty Waltz, etc). We have lots of instrumental Disney music, some Barney, and a lot of children's church music. She listens to the music almost as much as she plays the games.

It's also so portable that when we travel she can watch a movie using headphones on a plane. Lots of DVD's come with a free digital copy so we've got Toy Story and one other movie. We have the 8 GB so it doesn't hold much in the way of video.

It's fun because we have lots of kid shows in our instant streaming with Netflix. When we are watching a more grown up movie (not grown up, but something like Pirates of the Caribbean) she can watch something on Netflix in the same room.

Finally (again, bad me) we love to take it when we go out for dinner at a sit down restaurant (or at the two hour dinners on DCL). She wolfs down her little kids portion of something and if we want to enjoy a leisurely meal and dessert, she can just play the IPod for 20 minutes without being bored. In the past, we've brought a few playmobil people, some coloring materials, or something to read. The IPod can just go right in my purse.

We really love it!

 

[Suz D]

We have all been here once or twice- the "I'll never let my child use a pacifier, play with guns or Barbies, have a cellphone in middle school, go to a coed high school slumber party, etc. etc." Whatever your hot button issue is, chances are excellent that your very own precious child will try - and often succeed - in doing the very thing you swore s/he would never, never, not in a million years, be able or want to do.

Before we had kids I KNEW I would never have a dirty car seat or stroller.

I really wish I WOULD have read the whole thread before posting. I wouldn't have wasted that much time typing a serious answer. I do have to say that I have been very much like the OP in some respects. Not a lot of TV, we spend a lot of time together doing family things, kids have to ask before using internet (our 16 year old still asks every time she gets online and knows she has to be in the same room as a parent when she's online- not that I don't trust her, but I have a friend who's daughter somehow got on a website that wouldn't allow her to get out of it and she didn't know what to do.)

But I also know that most things, when used sensibly, can enhance our lives. Our youngest (who uses the touch) when given the choice will often choose to play house or school or whatever rather than be plugged in. It's all about moderation.

 

[Suz D]

Very helpful thread for me...a non-texting, tracfone using...mother of 3 girls, 10, 10 and 9 all begging for an itouch for Christmas. I was feeling like the OP, didn't "get it" but I hear ya's. So here's a DUMB question. Where does the Wifi come from? Or is it like a laptop where you need to be home or a cafe, MCDonalds, etc.? Thanks....

I had the same "dumb" question before we got ours too. I'm VERY technologically challenged and didn't have a clue how it worked. Imagine my disappointment when shortly after we got the IPod touch we were traveling and looking for a place to stop for the night and I just whipped out the IPod touch and...nothing. Nope, it didn't work the way I thought it would. We finally stopped at a McDonald's so I could look it up.

We're a non-texting trac phone using family too. It's a huge $$ saver for us (part of it is not being sucked into texting...I think it would be addicting for me. But mostly, it's to save $$). It's harder to get your mind around the Touch or IPhone when you aren't hugely into technology.

Sorry for hogging the thread.

 

[TheRatPack]

I have 5 children, ranging from 17 to 7 and only my oldest has an IPod touch that he purchased with his own money. My next to oldest teen has an IPod 4th Generation that her big brother gave her when he got his IPod touch....before she had a Disney Mix Max that I bought clearance. My next in line is 9 and she has a Barbie MP3 player that cost 10.00 or so.....and then my older dd passed down her Mix Max when she inherited the IPod LOL We are a big family of hand me downs....and I refuse to buy expensive MP3 players for the name. My oldest wants a IPad for Christmas and I've already told him that he'll get some cash to put towards a touch pad but not the amount needed for the IPad and he'll just have to save and put money with it if that's what he truly wants. I bought one of the clearance Touchpads and while I know it's not an IPad....I don't see the need to pay triple the price for the Apple name.

My oldest does use his IPod Touch for Internet when we're at McDonalds or a Cafe....but other than that it really doesn't do a whole lot more than his IPod.

 

[pintamino]

I bought one of the clearance Touchpads and while I know it's not an IPad....I don't see the need to pay triple the price for the Apple name.

The biggest misconception... you're rarely paying more for JUST the name. You're usually paying more for the quality attached to it. I will gladly save and pay more for my Apple products because they're a superior experience all-around - better quality, better support, and what I consider to be a better operating system. It's like I'd rather have one Coach bag than a few cheaper ones - or a nice dress for my work wardrobe - I know it will last forever and they will stand by their product. So to say you're paying more for the Apple name is narrow-minded - you're paying more for the Apple experience.

After having tried other tablets that belong to my coworkers and classmates, I have to say I have no regrets about my iPad.

If your off-brand tablet works for you - great - but that's no reason to knock down the company that's providing a great value for the price.

 

[mjkacmom]

And to mjkacmom, who I was responding to originally, if you have the $30 data plan with AT&T I think means you are grandfathered into unlimited data. I believe their other plans are now $15 and $25 or something like that. So you should be good to go without worries! I'd just hate to have someone start streaming video on their phone only to find out they went through their limited data and were accruing additional data fees, this being the budget board and all, KWIM?

I really appreciate the info - I have verizon, which only offers the $30 data plan (much to the displeasure of my teens, who's friends have AT&T, and got iphones/droids/blackberries through ATT, with limited data - I told my kids they could have smartphones, provided they pay for the phones and a year of data in advance).

I already saved $600 this year from reading a post about a card that would pay my co-pay for a prescription for a year.

 

[Colleen27]

....and I refuse to buy expensive MP3 players for the name. My oldest wants a IPad for Christmas and I've already told him that he'll get some cash to put towards a touch pad but not the amount needed for the IPad and he'll just have to save and put money with it if that's what he truly wants. I bought one of the clearance Touchpads and while I know it's not an IPad....I don't see the need to pay triple the price for the Apple name.

You're not just paying for the Apple name, though. Their products are of a high and consistent quality, from a company known for excellent customer service, and offer features that the competition doesn't. I considered that clearanced Touchpad too but it is no iPad. Just on apps alone it loses, particularly since it has been discontinued which makes the likelihood of it catching up to Apple or Android in terms of apps unlikely, and I don't know anyone who would consider WebOS to be on par with iOS. None of that is to say the TouchPad isn't good enough for many people - a LOT of people these days buy hardware that far exceeds what they need for their use habits - but it isn't as though the Apple logo on the back is the only reason the iPad is more expensive.

 

[DVCLiz]

Before we had kids I KNEW I would never have a dirty car seat or stroller.

I really wish I WOULD have read the whole thread before posting. I wouldn't have wasted that much time typing a serious answer. I do have to say that I have been very much like the OP in some respects. Not a lot of TV, we spend a lot of time together doing family things, kids have to ask before using internet (our 16 year old still asks every time she gets online and knows she has to be in the same room as a parent when she's online- not that I don't trust her, but I have a friend who's daughter somehow got on a website that wouldn't allow her to get out of it and she didn't know what to do.)

But I also know that most things, when used sensibly, can enhance our lives. Our youngest (who uses the touch) when given the choice will often choose to play house or school or whatever rather than be plugged in. It's all about moderation.

As long as we're handing out unsolicited parenting advice, mine is to loosen up those reins on your 16 year old. She should be able to navigate the internet by herself by this point. Let her alone and if she has a problem she will come to you. Getting on a site you can't get out of is probably a virus or spyware issue - she should know how to ad a protection program and how to check for viruses, etc. on her own. Go ahead and let her figure this out before she leaves for college in two years and really does have to do it all on her own.

I say that as a mom whose daughter attends a school that requires all high school students to have their own laptop. They are used constantly
throughout the school day and also at home. I can't even imagine how tedious it would be for both of us if she had to ask my permission every single time she got on line.