Should Santa bring an iTouch to my nearly 3 year old?

[Anonymous]

Or is this completely crazy and over the top (my initial reaction)!

1. In our house, on Chistmas Eve Santa takes binkies from big kids and delivers them to babies along with eating cookies & milk. In exchange, he brings that child an extra special gift. It's got to be a big one that they really, really want.
2. We limit screen time. Our kids spend most days without screen time (to include TV, iPhone and iPad play with our devices). When they get some iPad fun on weekends, they thoroughly enjoy it.
3. When repetatively asked what she wants from Santa, she repeats "a phone." We know she wants the app play, not to call her three year old friends.
4. The LeapFrog LeapPad equivalent is not well rated when compared to Apple devices so she'd probably just ask for iPhone or iPad time anyway.... (Alaso - LeapFrog apps cost a lot more $$$ and aren't as good as Apple apps)
5. She told Santa at the mall visit that she wanted a phone
6. This is the only item on her list - a phone.
7. These aren't cornucopia kids who get everything on their list plus extras.

We bought walkie -talkies, but I know this isn't what she wants... Please help!

[Anonymous]

I don't know if you're kidding or not but you've got to be kidding me!!!

[Anonymous]

No. No. No.

A lot of kids ask for a pony. They don't all get a pony and they don't die.

She is 3. She will be fine with a cheap plastic play phone.

[Anonymous]

First off the name is iPhone or iPod. There's "I touch" and what a horrible made up name!

They have no idea about monetary value. Get a pretend phone and call it a day.

[Anonymous]

Of course you should get her the I touch. If dc asked for it I would have bought it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course you should get her the I touch. If dc asked for it I would have bought it

Joke?

[Anonymous]

It depends on your goal. Is it to help the transition from
The pacifier? Then go for it. But I find it strange that you would be so limiting of screen time and then jump to giving her her own itouch. Will she have the same restrictions? Why not just extra time with your iPad outside of the weekends?

My gut says no, but you have to go with your own.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Seriously???? It sounds like an idiotic idea (sorry, you asked). My son didn't even get a Leapster until he was 5. You have already said the child is nearly 3. That means still 2, right? I'm not anti-tv and anti-screen time, but it sounds like you are setting yourself up for a lot more screen time than you currently have.

[Anonymous]

OP here: I am serious. And there is an Apple product called an iTouch (it doesn't have a phone and is smaller than an iPad, came out prior to iPad). Costs $200. LeapFrog "hot IMHO stupid toy for xmas" costs $99. Apps for iTouch are free, 0.99 or a couple of bucks. We can reload the apps we already purchased for free. LeapFrog apps are $10-$20 each. You do the math over time.

I don't think I was clear. She doesn't want a play phone. She wants her own iPhone/iPad so she can play cool apps like Angry Birds, spelling & reading games, etc... appropriate for her age. It's a gaming/TV device to kids - not a phone. We call it a phone (i.e. she plays games on our phone) - that's why she is asking for a phone.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Get it. The people on this board just love to be self-righteous and preachy and judge. The reasons you stated make perfect sense.

[Anonymous]

Are you going to supervise the whole time she uses it? If so, why can't she just use your iPad? If not, why are you limiting screen time now, to just turn around and give her a screen she can use all the time?

Also, I'd guess there's a good chance she'll break it.

I wouldn't get it or a Leappad for a two year old.

[Anonymous]

It's called an iPod Touch. Don't buy it if you don't know what it's called. Not that you should buy it in the first place. FFS.

[Anonymous]

She doesn't want a play phone. She wants her own iPhone/iPad so she can play cool apps like Angry Birds, spelling & reading games, etc... appropriate for her age.

She is TWO YEARS OLD! Good Lord, this is beyond ridiculous.

Seriously, you are planning on buying this device for someone who's barely out of diapers??

[Anonymous]

I got an iPod touch for my 33rd birthday this year...I get wanting to get your child what they want and breaking the pacifier habit but that's too expensive a gadget for a little kid. Why not reward her with extra screen time and a toy phone?