https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Jul 2026 03:33:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2373275 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:08:54 +0000 winniebee 2373275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KayKay: yes she will definitely spend comparatively, just have to think of something awesome for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2373273 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:08:20 +0000 skipra 2373273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL asked if she could buy my 3 and 1.5 year olds each their own tablet for Christmas. DH and I agreed, no way! They try to use our phones, tablets, laptop all the time and I just do not think they need their own yet! I can't even imagine the fights there would be if we tried to limit it. So just a big no from us, unless they keep it at their house, in which case they will be too obsessed with them to actually visit with their grandparents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2373272 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:07:48 +0000 mediagirl 2373272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I don't think T will notice at this age that his cousin got one but he didn't. I think he will be excited for what he gets, right? I don't think they're at the jealous stage yet? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2373266 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:03:19 +0000 KayKay 2373266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: if he doesn't get the ipad, will she spend comparably? i'd be tempted to say no ipad, but have her buy one of those bounce houses (or one of those bigger trampolines that can be used indoors, etc). K would totally notice if she didn't get an ipad if she got something small/not exciting instead, but i don't think she'd care at all if she got something awesome like those instead! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2373257 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:59:38 +0000 looch 2373257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: Okay, I think in this case, since it's your mom and it's her house, I feel like I would just accept the gift graciously and then ration the use when we got home. My son has his own kindle fire, but I still control when and how he uses it. There have been occasions where he hasn't listened and I have taken it away and he has to earn it back...if it was a gift, i would apply the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2373190 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 14:23:38 +0000 winniebee 2373190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: It's my mom. We all do Christmas morning at her house, so the gifts would be opened then. I told her my initial reaction was "no" and that it wouldn't be fair for cousin H to open a gift like that in front of my son. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372651 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:06:01 +0000 BandDmommy 2372651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I'm not a fan of iPad and phones as gifts. I think it's a personal decision of your child is ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372631 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 07:41:28 +0000 looch 2372631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: Is this your mom, or your MIL? Is this gift opening session happening at her house? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372582 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 01:12:17 +0000 HLK208 2372582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3.5 year old will have her own this Christmas. The educational apps have really helped her learn how to spell. We limit the iPad use to 3-4 days a week, 30 minutes a day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372506 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 22:39:50 +0000 mrbee 2372506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After wrestling with this, we found a compromise that works for us: we got an ipad mini and only put educational apps on it. Absolutely no games or videos on there. There are also strict rules around when they can be used (only after breakfast + tooth brushing... and before dinner - never in the evening). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372503 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 22:35:51 +0000 MamaG 2372503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For what it's worth, we got C a Kindle Fire for her 4th birthday in August. She's had it for maybe a week total since then. Her behavior is significantly impacted by screens and it's easier in some regard to avoid the whole thing for me. I get edgy when I hear the begging for tv or just one more whatever. I wish we wouldn't have spent the money on it now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372481 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 22:08:44 +0000 hummusgirl 2372481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't want my LO to have his own iPad. I feel like we have the rest of his childhood to buy him technology that I'm guessing he'll be begging for (cell phone, computer, video games) so until he's old enough to actually ask for it, why push it early? </p> <p>I agree that kids' personalities are just different. My LO can watch a few minutes of TV and be totally fine, but we were on vacation with some friends whose LO is the same age and she had a total, full-on meltdown lasting 20 mins after the TV was turned off. I don't blame you for not wanting to deal with that! </p> <p>I wouldn't have a problem with my kid getting something different than his cousin and I'd try to just emphasize that Grandma picked out something for each person based on their own interests. Maybe come up with a few ideas to give her? At that age they have little concept of money anyway. Here are some recent things my 3.25-year-old LO has LOVED:<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Playhut-Thomas-Train-Play-Vehicle/dp/B0065KZEZU" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Playhut-Thomas-Train-Play-Vehicle/dp/B0065KZEZU</a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Original-Stomp-Rocket-4-Rocket-20005/dp/B00000K3BR/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1448852770&#038;sr=1-3&#038;keywords=foam+rocket+launcher" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Original-Stomp-Rocket-4-Rocket-20005/dp/B00000K3BR/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1448852770&#038;sr=1-3&#038;keywords=foam+rocket+launcher</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.iseeme.com/my-very-own-trucks-personalized-book.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.iseeme.com/my-very-own-trucks-personalized-book.html</a> (he hasn't gotten this yet but I'm pretty positive it will be a hit) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372452 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:36:23 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2372452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I don't know. I guess she does it with everything. Just one more book, one more show, one more cookie. So telling her to turn off the screen is just one more thing. </p> <p>But if you're handling it well with rules and boundaries now, I just don't see how it being "his" would make a difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372450 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:35:25 +0000 creativemomma15 2372450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I don't think I would want my son to have his own iPad... DS likes screen time and loves playing games on our old iPad but I wouldn't want to deal with the whole "my iPad" thing.... I would see him processing that differently knowing that it was "his". Is there something else that would be a cool gift for him that he would like just as much that grandma could give? I know that as much as my DS loves screentime, I don't think he would truly see the iPad as a better gift if he received something really cool also. I'm not sure what alternative your son would be into though. For my DS, my parents found a remote control fork lift for him that he LOVES and I know that he would probably see the fork lift as just as good or better than an iPad that a cousin opened. But the dynamics in your family and how gift opening is can make a difference in all that. I'm sorry you are in this position. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372436 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:17:02 +0000 winniebee 2372436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: your child doesn't get upset when screen time is over? Even when I say no, he sometimes freaks out or begs for it other times. It's just his personality I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372434 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:11:27 +0000 pastemoo 2372434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: it's actually a kindle, I think, does it have something too? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372428 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:01:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2372428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: agree. I guess in our house no matter what the toy/thing is, if mom/dad says it's done it means it's done. Kinda a life lesson. They may have their own cell phone later but I will still have rules and ultimate say over that phone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372427 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:00:49 +0000 winniebee 2372427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting thanks! I'm not anti screen time at all - T gets some screen time almost every day. His behavior is definitely worse with it, even though I allow some most days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372421 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:57:36 +0000 catlady 2372421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably ask for it to be a "family gift", and if that doesn't work, then refuse. I totally get what you are saying about the ipad belonging to the child and the power struggles that are likely to arise from it. Not worth it, in my opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372420 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:57:28 +0000 chopsuey 2372420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>both of my kids have their own Ipad minis. they don't get ipad screen time every day, and on days they do, they both know that when I say time is up, ipads get turned off immediately. I always give them a one minute warning. </p> <p>we didn't buy the ipads for them (ipads were ours and we never used, so they became the kids'). If all of the other cousins are getting ipads, I would be okay with my LOs getting one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372414 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:54:19 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2372414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad mentioned getting our 3.5 year old an iPad for Christmas and I flat out said no. I feel the same as you, that having his OWN iPad would cause a lot grief when trying to limit its use. For our family and parenting style (which, we're not anti-screen time), its not a good gift. As for opening presents together, that wouldn't bother me as much. I feel like it can be a teachable "not everyone gets the same thing" moment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372407 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:43:28 +0000 Mamasig 2372407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't care. But I'm not anti screen time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372404 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:39:04 +0000 Oxana 2372404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: I would definitely tell Grandma to give the iPad to the cousin without your kid around. Maybe you could plan on leaving just a tad early to give them the chance to open one last surprise gift. Or she could give it to the parents secretly to surprise him with under their own tree when they got home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372401 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:30:00 +0000 FaithFertility 2372401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it were me, I wouldn't want LO to be "gifted" one at that age!<br /> I am not a huge fan of screen time </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372398 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:25:12 +0000 regberadaisy 2372398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: there is already something built in. Let me know if you do decide to Ok it and I'll show you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372378 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:06:18 +0000 winniebee 2372378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: she definitely won't get him one if we don't want him to have one. My sister feels differently, so that's why her kids have them </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372375 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:05:32 +0000 winniebee 2372375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: he will absolutely notice that his cousin got one and he didn't! He doesn't miss a beat. </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: I guess because that iPad is not his. It's my old iPad that he is allowed to use on occasion. Whereas this would be HIS iPad given by Santa. Maybe it's just semantics but it feels different to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372369 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:02:19 +0000 pastemoo 2372369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, just found out we are dealing with the same. Not excited at all... No idea what I'll do. I need to look up programs that have a timer and can shut off... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372368 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 20:01:47 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2372368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd tell her to not get him one. Grandma shouldn't be allowed to undermine your parenting choices. And if you care, I agree with your choice. I won't want my child to have their own screen at that age either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ipads-and-preschoolers#post-2372361 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 19:59:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2372361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think that at age 3 my kid would really notice the cousin getting it and not them. Plus you can always say "well cousin got on because you already have one" </p> <p>Or I would just let grandma buy it and impose your same rules. If you can enforce the rules now for "his iPad" why can't you just keep the same rules for a new iPad? </p>