She's brought it up every few days since mid October. Obviously I'm not getting a newly 5 year old an Ipad. 15, maybe. Not 5.
I've explained that they are expensive. She pointed out that she doesn't want it for her birthday so Santa can make it. I've explained they aren't good for little children and interfere with learning. She's pointed out some of her friends have them. "Different families make different choices." I've said repeatedly that Santa "probably" won't be bringing it. (I can't be stronger without ratting out Santa).
So what do you say when your kid wants something ridiculous from Santa like a ferrari, or a trip to the moon, or a pet unicorn, or to grow an extra ear, or whatever?
(for perspective: her birthday was last week. We gave her a book, a puzzle and two glitter glider dolls. We aren't going for anything near that scale.)
Does her school use them? Around here, I've heard lots of elementary schools have been incorporating iPads starting in first and second grade.
She's still pre-K, but yes. Which really pisses me off. They cut back art classes to give my kid something the pediatrician gives warnings about. It's the new version of soda vending machines in schools.
Get her something similar but at a price you feel is reasonable for a five year old. Tell her Santa's contract with Apple expired*.
Though she may never forget it. One year I desperately wanted a Barbie camper van (lol) just like a neighbor kid had. But it was a seventies toy and by the time I wanted one, I don't think they were even made anymore. That year I got a pink corvette for my barbies instead but it was a terrible substitute. I had to tie the extras on to the back since it was just a two seater.
Post by Doggy Mommy on Nov 23, 2015 0:56:02 GMT -5
Granted I don't have kids, but I don't think asking for an iPad is like asking for a Ferrari or a pony. How about a kindle and you can put educational apps and books on it? I think some kindles are around $50? I know even the kindies at my school get a lot of use from the class iPads.
She doesn't. She's four (well, five yesterday) and convinced that if she had one she'd magically be allowed to watch anything she wants, whenever she wants! and play games! because that is how her friends describe these devices. I'm sure their parents put in limits, but who brags about limits on the playground?
I'm right there with you. DS1 (almost 5) wants a remote controlled excavator for the second year in a row. He wants to use it to clean up his toys. Not happening. He's also giving me the "that's OK, Mom. It doesn't matter if it's out of the budget/not invented yet...Santa can make it!"
My approach is that you can give Santa a list of things you might want, but you will not get everything on it. Santa will listen to your wishes, and you will receive what he chooses for you. Sometimes it'll be on your list, sometimes it'll be a surprise!
Do you have an iPad? Could you give her coupons for time on your iPad for Christmas? Maybe 20 minute coupons that can be used up to X times a week.
Granted I don't have kids, but I don't think asking for an iPad is like asking for a Ferrari or a pony.
lol. I just meant it is something she isn't getting. Like an extra ear or a unicorn. Or a car for someone who can't drive.
She has no real concept of money so the price is irrelevant from her perspective. We try to talk about money a bit, but she barely understands numeracy, let alone scale of large quantities.
At least one of her school friends does have a pony so it is in that category (Something "some friends have but you won't"). So far she isn't asking for one. This year.
Granted I don't have kids, but I don't think asking for an iPad is like asking for a Ferrari or a pony. How about a kindle and you can put educational apps and books on it? I think some kindles are around $50? I know even the kindies at my school get a lot of use from the class iPads.
Does a 5 year old really need their own electronic device at all though?
ETA: I know times are-a-changin and I'm childless but dammit I still have opinions
Of course not and of course parents don't need to get their kid what they ask for for Christmas. But I also don't think it would be the worst thing in the world. There are good educational apps, books etc.
If you want to keep santa as real could you get her the gift you want and have someone write her a note from santa that he didn't get her the iPad because it "isn't good for her" or something like that? (My brain isn't articulating what I mean).
I had to tie the extras on to the back since it was just a two seater.
I love this.
I did! There was no other way to transport them all. Well except for the shoebox sleigh attached to Barbie's horse. But that was only good for winter themed play. The rest of the time I was stuck with the corvette.
Post by aussiecrush on Nov 23, 2015 1:09:26 GMT -5
I kid you not, a girl in B's kindergarten class made fun of me because we don't have an iPad. Apparently each member of her family does. Super. B Got a kindle at 6, though if he'd been pushy I might have just waited because I'm stubborn like that.
I've said repeatedly that Santa "probably" won't be bringing it. (I can't be stronger without ratting out Santa).
So what do you say when your kid wants something ridiculous from Santa like a ferrari, or a trip to the moon, or a pet unicorn, or to grow an extra ear, or whatever?
Go visit Santa at the mall or wherever, and while you're waiting your turn, quietly tell one of the "elves" or helpers that your DD will be asking for an iPad and for Santa to tell her he won't be getting it for her.
That's what we did last year when my daughter wanted a new bike that we were not going to be getting her. Worked perfectly.
I would mention that you talked to Santa and you agree that's a better present when she's a teenager, but he's got some other exciting ideas for her. Santa is magical, but he also knows parents have different rules. If you don't want to be a bad guy, just tell her he had other fun ideas and thought it'd be better when she's older.
Something like that. Santa is fucking exhausting. I feel lucky my older one never asked for anything expensive.
Post by bohemianmango on Nov 23, 2015 2:22:23 GMT -5
My kids have asked for unrealistic (for us) gifts. We tell them they can put it on their list but they have to include other things. Santa likes having choices and decides what's most appropriate.
It's hard when they start talking about these things with friends. They notice the dissimilarities. My DD asked why the tooth fairy brings her $1 when her friend gets $100 for a tooth. So ridiculous! I told her we chose the tooth fairy dental plan. DD gets a $1 and the tooth fairy gives the rest to her dentist to take good care of DD's other teeth.
I'd buy a Nabi tablet for $130 and call it an iPad on Christmas Day.
My DD had one at that age and it was a very age-appropriate toy with nice learning games and good parent controls (like setting it to turn off after so many minutes).
I've noticed that she and her friends call everything an iPad - these kids don't have iPads. They just have different kinds of tablets.
I wouldn't get her anything you aren't comfortable getting her. I think your explanation of Santa is fine, and I agree with Sue Sue with just not entertaining the conversation further when she brings it up.
IF you did want to get her some sort of tablet and just didn't want the price, etc. of the iPad, I agree that a Kindle might be a good substitute for a young kid. But again, don't get her a tablet at all if you do not want to.
My son Wants something he won't be getting. We have told him that Santa makes sure to check with mom and dad first and won't bring anything we don't want him to have. And we don't want him to have this for xyz reasons. Fun suckers we are!
Post by speckledfrog on Nov 23, 2015 7:21:02 GMT -5
That's a toughie. I think I would take the fall for this one and tell her that you wrote Santa and told him to not bring an iPad because XYZ and that he needs to know what else she wants. That sucks, but I supposed it's better than her being crushed on Christmas.
Like someone else said above, I was always just clear that you needed to give Santa a few choices, and that he can't get everything. My son doesn't seem to be scarred, and it hasn't lessened his belief in santa.
He will be almost 8 (2nd grade) at Xmas and we are thinking about getting him his first tablet. It will be a $50 kindle fire. He has asked for a tablet for at least 3 years.
Where are all of you people in real life?? I live in a decidedly non-affluent area and virtually everyone here buys their kid an iPad. My kids have begged for one for years and we finally got one 'family' one about 6 months ago and I almost had a heart attack doing it. It's so hard when all of their friends seem to have one.
Many of my friends have multiple kids and there will be 3 shiny iPads under the tree. It's crazy.
Anyway, we bought our kids Kindle Fires when they started asking about 3 years ago. They are still going strong. They still ask Santa for the iPad but we've always explained that Santa doesn't just automatically get you that, he listens all year and chooses. It's worked out because their Santa gift has always been something they are happy with.
DS asked for an IPad last year at age 6. We bought the 2 older kids Kindle Fire's. They can read on them and play games, and we thought it was age appropriate. They have used them a ton this year. They can also get on the web and use them for homework.
I don't get them everything they want though. I don't even address it. They are excited on Christmas and don't notice b/c PRESENTS!!!!
Post by jeaniebueller on Nov 23, 2015 8:32:41 GMT -5
My DS (7) also wants an ipad mini. Not happening. I did tell him that if he saved up half of the money, I would pay the other half and there has been no forward movement on that, so he won't be getting one for a loooong time.
OP, I wouldn't really stress this. Get her other things. Discuss with her in advance that items on her wish list are just suggestions for santa and just because its on your list doesn't mean she will get it.
DD #1 wants gymnastics bars for the house. Um, no.
Regarding expensive presents, and even moreso, the disadvantaged children who get nothing who we donate for (which begets the question, if they are good why do we need to donate since Santa should bring them presents) we have explained like this:
Santa brings your presents on Christmas Eve, but he has asked the parents to approve all the presents and at the end of Christmas, he sends the mommy and daddy the bill of everything he's collected and made (Santa only makes the old-fashioned toys, like in the olden days), much like we pay our credit card. That is why mommy and daddy sometimes tell you a present costs too much or won't work in our house. This is also why Susie and John get iPads and the angel tree child only gets a coat. Susie and John are not better kids, nor does Santa like them more or think they have behaved better, it's just that Susie and John's mommy and daddy are able to pay Santa back for more. That's why we need to help the angel tree children.
It also works for the questions - Why does this have a price tag? Why does this have so much packaging? Why is this in a box from Amazon? Why does Santa has the same wrapping paper you used for Aunt Joan?
Finley has a first generation iPad that barely works, it's a hand me down. She never uses it. She uses my hand me down kindle Fire, but really only on plane rides.
They use them in school and several of her friends Face time each other on it. Which is out of control.
I guess I should be grateful she doesn't even really like it. Even when she plays games on it on the plane, she wants me or DH to play too.