Anonymous wrote:

I love this part. Like we all just fell of the fucking truck.

Apple makes something called the iTouch? Really? You are a fool. First for thinking there is a person left on this PLANET that doesn't know this (and I've been in two third world countries this year...so I know) and second, for wanting to get this for your child.

Actually, no, genius, as a PP pointed out, it's the iPod Touch. It's only you & the OP who think it's called the iTouch.

Breathe, honey. Wikipedia notes that the device is colloquially referred to as the iTouch, so maybe YOU are the one who is out of t..., well, you know.

Okay, first: IPads and ITouch and other electronic devices are widely used in Occupational and Physical Therapy for a variety of reasons. Some children have these devices because their therapy is specifically targeting skills that can be better developed with touch technology. This doesn't entirely contradict a PP's doctor's point about development and technology -- children must be monitored - but it does provide an important and well-recognized counterpoint.

I am assuming OP's DC doesn't fall into this category of a child whose physician or therapist is using the technology to achieve a developmental goal. There are many children who do, and many of them may have the technology for reasons that are not immediately apparent.

In my child's case, we used technology to accommodate a challenge *I* had. It helped ease a very difficult situation for our family. Yes, the fact that we had some disposable income helped. DC has had an IPod since she was 2: she got it (from us) because I was unable to continue reading her stories due to a serious medical problem (since resolved). I would get the books on tape and she would listen and I would turn the pages -- DH was unable to be with her every night so he couldn't help with the stories. She subsequently began to enjoy music that way, too. Yes, we could have just had her hook up the earphones to the computer, but this was also helpful when we were traveling as well (IPod was more portable). The next year, I got a free ITouch when we got a new Macbook. We allowed DC to have it -- and it remains a hit. She uses it for apps (that only we load); she writes "notes" on it, and she listens to her books and music on it. She is now reading, so she can also read on it -- this has been going on since she was just over 3 (the reading started before she turned 4 and I feel fairly certain her emergent reading was helped by the IPod "solution").

Is DC admittedly very lucky because we have the ability to buy her things like this and/or give them to her (I had no interest in the ITouch for myself and so gave it to her)? Yes. Would people say she is spoiled? Of course. Could OP achieve her same goals in other ways (a used, no plan IPhone that has apps preloaded -- depending on apps - or the plastic phone)? Yes and no: you can't achieve the app goal without the Apple (or similar provider) model. You can achieve the phone goal (but that's truly not what the child is asking for. . . .). Is OP the first person whose child will get an ITouch from Santa at an admittedly pretty young age? Absolutely not.

Were I in your position, OP, I'd probably go for it. If you're reasonably thick-skinned and can take opinions for what they're worth (you solicited feedback and you got it), then I hope you got enough reactions to help with your choice. Have a good holiday.

Apple products suck anyway.... Get her an HP touchpad.... GO REDSKINS!!!

What I want for Christmas is to come to some of these postings and see people honestly trying to help someone who has questions and concerns.
Too often I see highly opinionated parents acting cruelly and down right mean.
The same behaviors I am sure they are modelling for their horrible children.

People are looking for help here, not looking to be attacked.
Shame on most of you... and Merry Christmas.

Anonymous wrote:No. Unless you want a spoiled entitled brat.

exactly. If you'll buy her this before she's even 3, what will you buying her when she's a teenager?

No. Unless you want a spoiled entitled brat.

Let her play yours so you can limit the time.

My son occasionally gets a hold of my iPhone. At his 3 year appointment I gave it to him to entertain him while I was talking to the doctor. His doctor (who I love) cautioned me about only letting him play with it once in a while because you don't want your child zoning out on it (same with tv or videos) because it takes them away from real play. It's true, when he's playing on that thing he really zones, so I wouldn't want to give him his own. I wouldn't get one for your daughter if I were you.....she would play on it too much. Even if she's playing age appropriate games, it wouldn't be that great for her development.

Jesus Christ, Shepard of Judea.

You are actually thinking about spending $200 to buy a THREE YEAR OLD a high end electronic device?

Wow.

I love this part. Like we all just fell of the fucking truck.

Apple makes something called the iTouch? Really? You are a fool. First for thinking there is a person left on this PLANET that doesn't know this (and I've been in two third world countries this year...so I know) and second, for wanting to get this for your child.

Actually, no, genius, as a PP pointed out, it's the iPod Touch. It's only you & the OP who think it's called the iTouch.

I wouldn't because my husband has an Ipod Touch already and when he gets an Ipad, our soon to be 2 will probably inherit his Ipod. I wouldn't buy something like that to a toddler in principle, however, I recognize it is hypocritical since I would let my toddler play with her dad's Ipod, I let her play with my Iphone and I WOULD buy the leapad thing, even though is more expensive.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I love this part. Like we all just fell of the fucking truck.

Apple makes something called the iTouch? Really? You are a fool. First for thinking there is a person left on this PLANET that doesn't know this (and I've been in two third world countries this year...so I know) and second, for wanting to get this for your child.

Whatever. My 18 month old nephew had his own Ipad. People with too much money can do that sort of thing.

I just got an iPod Touch and I am 36 years old. My 6 yr old DD loves the apps on it and I do let her play with it on weekends. But, it cost $200. I would never spend that much money on something for a 3 yr old. Your 2 year old should be doing what 2 yr olds should do. Play with toys, run around outside, play on playgrounds, etc.

Yes get it. My kids love the iPad and would get them the touch over leap pad anyday