Christmas gifting Ipod touches

[kirstenb1]

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.

My oldest wants an iPad. I am trying to talk her into an iPod Touch. Her $50 mp3 player is like a brick of gold to her. She would be happier with something she could carry in her pocket or leave in her backpack during school so she has it on the bus rather than carry the mp3 player and DS game as she does now and not being able to take the iPad with her. (aside from the price, which is why she wouldn't be getting an iPad that costs more than the family computer.)

Thanks for summarizing this!! I'm very technology challenged, so I can't keep up with all these devices. DH is the tekkie in our family. Our older dd has had a DS for a long time. We just bought her one of those Droid phones, which seems to have a lot of features. I always hear about the Ipods, and I thank you for the side by side comparison.

 

[jm-mom]

We have a Nook color that has been adapted to be an Android tablet as well so it does everything but make a phone call or take a photo. We have loads of apps on it and games and I admit, those games are way cheaper than the DS games and permanently built in so chance of losing the disks. We absolutely love this gizmo. It does light up so the kids can read in dark areas or play the games on it. We don't have any movies on it although we could and may eventually. This item is larger than a Ipod touch but still fits in my purse easily and the screen is so much easier to look at compared to the Itouch.

I'm enjoying reading this thread very much. I can't say as I agree with every post but I do so enjoy seeing the varying opinions and finding answers to my original queries. Thanks.

 

[jm-mom]

Of course you are judging, stop kidding yourself. You should ask yourself why. Do you feel inferior because you can't afford to spend as much as your friends?


I buy my child what I do, because I can and I want to.

end. of. story.

You get your kids what you want and I'll do the same with mine.

Absolutely and totally my point. To each his own. I was just looking for some information so that I can make the best financial decision and the right decision for our lifestyle and goals for our children. No judgement at all. If it sounds that way, you are misinterpreting me.

 

[jm-mom]

I have found this discussion to be very useful and it has made me realize my kids really don't need an Ipod Touch at all. The positives many of you have stated are things we can do elsewhere or wouldn't do anyway. I am not judging anyone and I kind of resent that implication. I was only trying to find out the positive uses for the I-touch and see how that would fit into our lives. Now that you all have been so helpful, I know that it won't.

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.

By the way, we don't homeschool, we're not terribly religious, we're not a huge family, any of the things you might think, we have just chosen to more or less raise our kids unplugged. It's often more work for us but we feel the reward is greater for them. Of course we realize this is a technology age and they do have knowledge and use of such things so they aren't being raised impractically or unhappily.

 

[RitaE]

I'm still just not sure what you want from anybody here. I have to think you know darn good and well what an iTouch does, since you've seen so many kids with them. Of course they are elaborate toys. As many have pointed out ... so are the mp3 players and DS things your kids have.

You don't have to justify to one single person here why you've chosen not to buy your kids an iPod touch and the whole "and my children play card games and have parents to entertain them on car trips" is one of the most laughably snottiest posts I've seen in a long time. Yay sure - none of the rest of us ever interact with our children. Thank God and Steve Jobs (rest his soul) we can just shove those iTouches into their hands instead.

Oh, and my kid plays card games .... on his iTouch.

If your child is glued to their I-touch every waking hour, that's your choice and I am not judging that.

Oh for God's Sake. Give.It.Up.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I have found this discussion to be very useful and it has made me realize my kids really don't need an Ipod Touch at all. The positives many of you have stated are things we can do elsewhere or wouldn't do anyway. I am not judging anyone and I kind of resent that implication. I was only trying to find out the positive uses for the I-touch and see how that would fit into our lives. Now that you all have been so helpful, I know that it won't.

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.

By the way, we don't homeschool, we're not terribly religious, we're not a huge family, any of the things you might think, we have just chosen to more or less raise our kids unplugged. It's often more work for us but we feel the reward is greater for them. Of course we realize this is a technology age and they do have knowledge and use of such things so they aren't being raised impractically or unhappily.

You are not raising your kids unplugged, no matter how much you spin it. You still let them watch tv. You are buying your child a tv for her room, for pete's sake. They have game systems. They play with electronics. So, really, DO NOT give yourself the impression that you are raising them "unplugged", no matter how many restriction you supposedly place on them.

And has anyone here said their kids are attached to the iTouch every waking hour? I would venture to that most people here have kids just like yours - they read, study, play outside, etc. Your kids are not exceptional in that regard.

 

[crashbb]

You are not raising your kids unplugged, no matter how much you spin it. You still let them watch tv. You are buying your child a tv for her room, for pete's sake. They have game systems. They play with electronics. So, really, DO NOT give yourself the impression that you are raising them "unplugged", no matter how many restriction you supposedly place on them.

And has anyone here said their kids are attached to the iTouch every waking hour? I would venture to that most people here have kids just like yours - they read, study, play outside, etc. Your kids are not exceptional in that regard.

I can only assume that two people are posting under the same user name.

Person A - wrote the post that you quoted and the OP. Has children who don't have the same gadgets that their friends have and are "unplugged". Monitors TV viewing and gaming.

Person B - wrote other posts. Has children with their own TVs (in their bedrooms - makes monitoring difficult). Has children with portable game systems, portable music systems and access to a Nook.

No way are these the same people.

 

[michellev]

I have found this discussion to be very useful and it has made me realize my kids really don't need an Ipod Touch at all. The positives many of you have stated are things we can do elsewhere or wouldn't do anyway. I am not judging anyone and I kind of resent that implication. I was only trying to find out the positive uses for the I-touch and see how that would fit into our lives. Now that you all have been so helpful, I know that it won't.

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.

By the way, we don't homeschool, we're not terribly religious, we're not a huge family, any of the things you might think, we have just chosen to more or less raise our kids unplugged. It's often more work for us but we feel the reward is greater for them. Of course we realize this is a technology age and they do have knowledge and use of such things so they aren't being raised impractically or unhappily.

I really don't get what you are implying here. My kids do all the same things your kids do, we have similar rules. My kids have iPod touches. That doesn't mean they are "glued to them 24-7". What is the difference between buying your kid a touch and a DS?

What's with all the animosity toward parents who buy their kids iPods?

 

[Feckless]

OHHH you can stream NetFlix on them?! I had NO idea!! ANOTHER THUMBS up! My hubby wants a PS3 to play games with his brothers that live in other states and I want NetFlix for movie night. With Netflix can a movie be downloaded onto the iPod for say a day so that it does not have to stream and we can take the movie with them for a day then 'unload' it?

Netflix is a streaming site only. Nothing can be downloaded and played later... You have to be in the range of the WiFi.

 

[jm-mom]

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.

 

[marlynnp]

If you really wanted to know what features an iTouch had and how other posters children use them then that would have been your question.

Your OP was judgmental and sanctimonious. Your follow-up posts are just as unbearable. Your "different thinking" appears to be 'anyone who does not do as I do, must be insane and owes me an explanation as to why'.

 

[surfgirl]

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.

Since you explained yourself, I'll explain my thinking (and I agree with many other posters that you appear judgemental).

1) If you had no intention to purchase one for Christmas, why did you start this thread? Seems like a backhanded approach.

2) You may try to backtrack and explain that "my decision is that and your decision is yours", but yet, you came off very condescending about how your family acts... "we are unplugged (NOT!), we use crayons and read, etc." Ironically, other posters pointed out that an Itouch does everything that your multitude of electronics does in a smaller, sleeker, cheaper package, yet you still are incredibly opinionated about how YOUR children will not get them.

3) On one of the early pages, there was a clear financial breakdown of the difference between a Itouch and all the devices you have. At the end of that, you could have responded and said, "wow. thanks for explaining that. what a great chart." Instead, you continued to spout how your kids are unplugged and they will never get an Itouch.

We all think we are GREAT parents - there are many ways to parent. What most of us don't like is when others sneak in THEIR way and how it is better while pretending to ask a question.


my name is surfgirl and I like my idevices. And yes, we read (gasp?), and color (gasp?) and interact as a family. However, we also drive 3+ hours on Fridays and Sundays about 8-10 weekends each fall and for those... idevices are lifesavers when we can't read (it is too dark) or color (the crayons are rolling around on the bottom of the car) or we are tired of singing kumbaya together.

 

[mjkacmom]

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.

 

[DISdreamin']

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.

Yeah, 'cause that didn't sound judgemental at all.

Seriously, this thread was not started as a "why should I buy an iPod Touch for my child" thread. It was an "I don't understand why people buy those" kind of thing. Totally different point to the thread, and to now try and backtrack and make it sound like something you were considering seems disingeuous to me.

I'm honestly waiting for the little lock to appear at the end of the thread at this point.

 

[tink576]

I'm honestly waiting for the little lock to appear at the end of the thread at this point.

I've been thinking that for the past couple pages too

 

[DISdreamin']

my name is surfgirl and I like my idevices. And yes, we read (gasp?), and color (gasp?) and interact as a family. However, we also drive 3+ hours on Fridays and Sundays about 8-10 weekends each fall and for those... idevices are lifesavers when we can't read (it is too dark) or color (the crayons are rolling around on the bottom of the car) or we are tired of singing kumbaya together.

You made me burst out laughing! Thank you.

 

[Raspberry Beret]

I have found this discussion to be very useful and it has made me realize my kids really don't need an Ipod Touch at all. The positives many of you have stated are things we can do elsewhere or wouldn't do anyway. I am not judging anyone and I kind of resent that implication. I was only trying to find out the positive uses for the I-touch and see how that would fit into our lives. Now that you all have been so helpful, I know that it won't.

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.

By the way, we don't homeschool, we're not terribly religious, we're not a huge family, any of the things you might think, we have just chosen to more or less raise our kids unplugged. It's often more work for us but we feel the reward is greater for them. Of course we realize this is a technology age and they do have knowledge and use of such things so they aren't being raised impractically or unhappily.

Oh, Bless your heart, hon. Be careful not to fall off that high horse you're on, that could be painful.

 

[DISdreamin']

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.

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.

 

[RitaE]

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.

 

[alizesmom]

How about a list of things my daughter can do with a touch?

Communicate with those around her.
Learn American Sign Language.
Play games which teach cause and effect.
Listen to music which is calming when she has a meltdown.
Watch videos which distract her from self- abuse.
Access all of these features easily during her too frequent hospitalizations.
Carry it with her easily.

Touches, IPhones, iPads are pricey but worth every cent.