41 replies to this topic

[outnumbered]

The paper here on post publishes a section of Christmas greetings to soldiers, and a section of kids' Christmas wishes, each year around this time. Since my oldest is now in kindergarten I thought I'd page through and see if his class was featured. It was! His entry says "I have been good. I want a computer for Christmas. I will be watching for you." Ok, he's gone from wanting T-Rex Mountain (which he is getting, but for his bday) to Star Wars stuff and a scooter (which he is getting)...to a computer??? Apparently he has told Santa this too. Ok, there is NO way he is getting a computer for Christmas. Not only is it laughably out of our budget, but the kids are just too young and destructive to have something like a computer for themselves. They can play their games on my computer but that's it. He doesn't want a toy one, either; he wants one so that he can play his computer games on it whenever he wants to (um, I'm online a lot ) ...and sorry but that is NOT happening. So now I have to find a way to convince him that he doesn't want a computer. LOL--if I simply say that a computer isn't happening, even from Santa, no matter how much I tell him that beforehand he will still be disappointed when he doesn't get it. So I have to make him not want it. Argh. Kids! Don't most kids want some relatively cheap toy for Christmas? What 5-year-old wants a computer?

[biomajor]

Oh no!! That's so young!! I guess times really have changed. Wow!! I don't know what to tell him.

[gemini1217]

Ahhh...the new generation!!! I understand my three 8 yr. olds want one, too! They think they all need one in their own rooms. 1) we can't afford it 2) way too young & need supervision while surfing 3) when I get my laptop (dreaming) then they will be able to "own" this computer, BUT not for a long time will they have their own computer. You said that your son hasn't said anything to you, but you read this on a website from school? If that is the case, he might have been just going along with the other kids? Hopefully for you that is the case!!! And don't fret too much, my DS has wanted a dirt bike even before he could ride his bicycle w/o training wheels. He is just NOW getting one....this will be the 4th year of asking Santa for one. But every year he enjoys Christmas morning just the same!!!

[magickallight]

Just wait until he hit's his teens!

[gemini1217]

Just wait until he hit's his teens!

DON'T REMIND US!!!!

[outnumbered]

Ahhh...the new generation!!!

I understand my three 8 yr. olds want one, too! They think they all need one in their own rooms.
1) we can't afford it
2) way too young & need supervision while surfing
3) when I get my laptop (dreaming) then they will be able to "own" this computer, BUT not for a long time will they have their own computer.

You said that your son hasn't said anything to you, but you read this on a website from school? If that is the case, he might have been just going along with the other kids? Hopefully for you that is the case!!!
And don't fret too much, my DS has wanted a dirt bike even before he could ride his bicycle w/o training wheels. He is just NOW getting one....this will be the 4th year of asking Santa for one. But every year he enjoys Christmas morning just the same!!!

I read it in the weekly newspaper that was delivered last night. Most of the other kids had small gifts in mind--dinosaur toys, Barbies, etc. One kid just said "please bring me a present" LOL. There were a few asking for Xboxes but I think mine was the only one wanting a computer. I asked him about it, about why he hadn't said anything about it before, and he said he did, he told Santa he wanted one. I guess he knew he wouldn't be getting one from me, LOL.

All your reasons are why he's not going to be getting one...I just hope he's still excited about everything he does get.

[ebony0421]

At 9, our daughter told us that she wanted her own computer, telephone and her own telephone number. I was thinking only when hell freezes over, but I later found out that her friends had those things.

[gemini1217]

Oh bless your heart, Outnumbered. I feel for you!!! He will enjoy Christmas!! I know it is easier said than done, but don't worry about it. When he wakes up on Christmas morning & sees what Santa brought him...he will be ecstatic (sp?)

[RossMAN]

What happened to the days of wanting a bike, radio controlled car or GI Joe action figures?

[Illinoismom]

My 8 year old wanted a portable DVD player which Santa got on BR and some odd things but none of the 4 asked for a computer Thank goodness, Because Santa gor me one on BR from walmart

[gemini1217]

One of my 8 yr olds got a portable DVD player, too!!! I am sure the other to will be having fits for one by next Xmas!! Might as well start looking for the deals!!

[sheli]

We have a rule in my house that mom approves all gift lists sent sant to santa. I know your dilema was unavoidable because it was done at school but my rule helps here since the schools are not involved in the holiday business anymore (don't get me going on that one!) My 12yo asked to put a computer on his list and I told him no way, if he put that mom and santa would have to join forces and make it his one and only gift. He was reasonable and decided that an mp3 player, weather/clock system, video game and new controller, pocket knife, camping equipment and a yo-yo were fun as a group than one computer that mom would still supervise and control.

[gemini1217]

We have a rule in my house that mom approves all gift lists sent sant to santa. I know your dilema was unavoidable because it was done at school but my rule helps here since the schools are not involved in the holiday business anymore (don't get me going on that one!) My 12yo asked to put a computer on his list and I told him no way, if he put that mom and santa would have to join forces and make it his one and only gift. He was reasonable and decided that an mp3 player, weather/clock system, video game and new controller, pocket knife, camping equipment and a yo-yo were fun as a group than one computer that mom would still supervise and control.

GOOD ONE!!!

[malachitecat]

my 16 year old stepdaughter just asked for books or money to buy books. I think we ended up with about a dozen things wrapped. she's getting excited for sunday and she's only seen one present under the tree (about a 4x4x3 box). the rest aren't even out yet. she'll flip when she sees it all.

[erickajay]

My son (6 yeard old) didn't ask for one (not directly) for Christmas but I was lucky enough to get one on BF @ Walmart for him (I couldn't pass up the price). I look at it this way... He uses computers @ school and knows how to get around one. I plan on putting learning games to help with math and reading. I don't think they are too young to use a computer. The younger they are the better it is for them. Anyway, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

[civicracinggirl7]

i don't think it's too young for him to be using a computer. too young for his own, yes. there are a lot of games geared for kids that can promote learning skills. there are little "computers" geared for kids that are pretty much little learning centers. there are laptop ones and "desktop" ones that have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and they all have some little games on them that teach anything from counting, spelling, match, etc. perhaps you could get one of those for him last minute? i'm not sure how much they go for though.

[outnumbered]

i don't think it's too young for him to be using a computer. too young for his own, yes. there are a lot of games geared for kids that can promote learning skills.

there are little "computers" geared for kids that are pretty much little learning centers. there are laptop ones and "desktop" ones that have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and they all have some little games on them that teach anything from counting, spelling, match, etc. perhaps you could get one of those for him last minute? i'm not sure how much they go for though.

I never said he was too young to use one. He is too young for me to spend hundreds of dollars on one just for him. He has computer games on my computer; that's why he wants one of his own--so he can play his computer games whenever he wants to, instead of waiting till I am done online. He doesn't want a "fake" one, as he calls those toy ones...he wants a real computer so he can play the computer games already installed on my computer.

[levitt]

my 5 and 7 year old have one that they share. BUT I bought it used. I put in a wireless card and parental controls. I only put in favorites web sites that I approve of. They also have games. I watch them constantly. Our computer has too many important things on it to allow the kids to ever do anything to hurt it. It is about 3-4 years old and we are thinking about actually getting a new one ourselves for a faster cpu, but getting the basics and then swapping out the hard drives, DVD writer, etc so we keep our peripherials, but get new technology. I would check out craigslist or even ebay and see about buying an older used model for him-- have Santa put in an I.O.U. JMHO even if its not popular.

[queenofshopping]

I never said he was too young to use one. He is too young for me to spend hundreds of dollars on one just for him. He has computer games on my computer; that's why he wants one of his own--so he can play his computer games whenever he wants to, instead of waiting till I am done online. He doesn't want a "fake" one, as he calls those toy ones...he wants a real computer so he can play the computer games already installed on my computer.

perhaps if you scheduled times for him to use your computer that would appease him a bit, rather than having to wait however long hoping you'll be done soon?

a lot of kids in our family, tho, inherit old computers from relatives...we got our first comp when i was like 8, it was my uncle's old one, & then the one after that, our old mac went to my cousins (4 & 14 at the time) when we got another new one, so try asking around to see who has an old computer they may not want anymore

[Gporter34]

Debbie, I totally agree with you. My oldest son is 17 and he doesn't have his own computer. The kids now have one to share because mom got the laptop on BF and gave them her desktop. It's in the same room as mine and I try to keep a close eye on what they are doing on it. They have been asking for their own computer for a while now and they haven't seemed to mind one bit that they didn't get one as soon as they get all of the other gifts. We are getting our oldest a laptop in the spring, but that is also for him to use when he goes away to college. Big difference. I don't think you have anything to worry about. And Ross, they asked for bikes for their birthdays this year or that is exactly what they would have gotten for Christmas!LOL

[shanni]

My daughter is 9, her and her brother have had a computer (to share) since she was 3, it's never too early! BUT, they only got it because I got a new one and gave them my old one.

[Gloey]

One of my elderly neighbors gave me a fairly new computer, an IMAC I think last year. I was hoping my son would set it up for my granddaughter but he hasn't yet. By the time he gets around to it it probably won't work anymore! LOL. They have a PC that she has some games of her own on though. I am a firm believer of kids learning technology early because that's just the way times are. I would let your kids spend time on yours if you can.

[outnumbered]

I would let your kids spend time on yours if you can.

LOL. I can't NOT let them. Even Erin (just barely 2) loves the computer. She types and she also randomly clicks on things and mutes my sound, opens various programs, and copies shortcuts so I have five billion shortcuts to Word on the desktop, LOL.

[Gloey]

LOL. I can't NOT let them. Even Erin (just barely 2) loves the computer. She types and she also randomly clicks on things and mutes my sound, opens various programs, and copies shortcuts so I have five billion shortcuts to Word on the desktop, LOL.

Just think how computer saavy she's going to be in a couple of years!

[Gporter34]

I don't have a choice I have to let mine use the computer. The kids don't have text books at school this year. They all got discs that they downloaded to the computer and that is their book! They have to use it for their homework. Only the kids without computers got books. They are trying to phase out the books and go strictly to computers. The kids already have laptops that they carry from class to class to use all day. By next year the school district wants each kid to have one to use at all times instead of any books. They said in the recent school board meeting that in the end it is more cost efficent.

[mommie75]

my mother bought my twins then 7 and 5 years old a computter last year for x mas they did play it some.. but know all games are ruined and the drive is tore out thanks the the two year old. i thought it was way to early for her ot buy them that but it was on her.. i would have never bought it . not till they could learn to take care of it.. but i did see her point my hubby does not let them play on this one.. he does not even like me on it that much. throw a fit if i downlaod anything.. it is his baby

[protege2003]

My son got his first one when he was 3 1/2. The first one was a used one a neightbor gave us, since then I have built him up a couple he has been taught from the start that it is not a toy. He knows how to take care of the CDs, they're not frisbees. He knows how to start it up and shut it down by himself (he is 6 now). He asks before he uses it and knows it can be taken away. I feel they are going to use them in school and the rest of their lives and the faster they are comfortable using them the more they will learn and be ready for what is coming at them down the road. If they are taught proper care and given some boundries I see no problem with kids having a computer and I think it will benefit them in the long run.

[dealluvr]

gemini do you have triplet boys?

[missyjane]

What happened to the days of wanting a bike, radio controlled car or GI Joe action figures?

I certainly miss those days!

I wouldn't buy a 5 yo their own computer either. We just put a second one in our house of 4. It's worked out all right.

I'm sure your son will forget all about not getting a computer once he finds unwraps his other presents. I never got my pony I wanted and I turned out all right....I think.

I'm sure your family will have a Merry Christmas!

[snakeswiff]

My daughter is 9, her and her brother have had a computer (to share) since she was 3, it's never too early! BUT, they only got it because I got a new one and gave them my old one.

This is what I did when hubby and I got our new computers..son 11 got his, daughter, 4 tomorrow(yeah!) got mine. It surprises me how much at age of 3 she grasps the concept of how to use the computer, mouse etc.

I wish we could afford a new one for her and my son, the ones they have are old and outdated....and SLOW.......its funny to hear her say "oh this computer" when its fritzing on her!