11 year old getting an ipad?

[jessi1194]

So, my 11 year old brother in the 6th grade wants an Ipad, and my dad is going to get it for him. My brother got an iphone 3 in the 3rd grade, and not a while ago, he got it stolen, so he got my dad to get him the new Iphone 4. By the way, it's not like he drives so he doesn't need the phone, he doesn't use the internet for the phone, and his middle school bans any kind of cellular device during school hours. The only time he uses his iphone is basically at home or the two times he goes to his friend's house in a month. In that case, he could have just gotten a free phone. But, he always insists on the best and newest gadgets. Anyway, he also has the current Macbook Pro. I personally think all of this is unneccessary, and I tried arguing with my dad on why he doesn't need it because it's spoiling his mindset and socializing him to think that he can get anything he wants. Our family is not even in a stable financial situation. (We lived comfortably until my dad became unemployed, and it's been 4 years, which puts us in an uncomfortable situation)

So, now my 11 year old brother wants an ipad and he's going to get it. He already has a macbook pro, so I don't understand why he needs it, but my dad thinks that he needs it because he hasn't gotten my brother a toy in a long time, and an Ipad is a toy. Let me remind you that he is 11 years old, and a macbook has the same basic functions as a macbook except that it is touchscreen. The problem ever since his first iphone in the 3rd, he's only interested in the best and most expensive gadgets, rather than games and toys that kids his age are usually interested in. My dad believes that these gadgets my brother gets is the same as me buying clothes. However, it's not like I've ever bought a cloth item that is worth the same as a $500 ipad. My dad doesn't get my point. Because my brother knows he can get everything he wants, he hasn't remained humble about his possessions. He's 11! yet he's so interested in money. My brother and dad do says that he's not spoiled, because spoiled means rotten. None of my dad's logic on why my brother needs a ipad is rational. Most kids his age do not have a iphone 4, macbook pro, and ipad, but based on 1 person who does, my brother tells me so and so has it, and concludes that, that 1 person is everyone. So, he says that everyone has it, and it's normal. I'm pretty sure it's not "normal" for kids his age.

I'm posting this on this forum, because my dad is so bias towards my brother, and won't even budge to my argument. So, I want to see other people's opinions on whether or not he needs an ipad in addition to all his other gadgets, or he doesn't and why. Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mike]

I voted "yes", because without a default like "maybe" not being there, I have too little information. How old are you, if you don't mind saying, and what do you have in the way of a phone or computer? I'm not sure it's the place of a child to question repeatedly the judgment of his/her father. I couldn't tell from your description of the family finances if this is impacting the needs of your family.

I agree that he doesn't need a phone. We didn't get our children phones until they were being dropped off at places with their friends. An iPad? If your dad can afford it, and it can help with his homework, I could see it. It's hard to imagine that he does need it, but I can't say.

I would tend to steer clear of being resentful of what your brother has, and be content with what you are given. I know it's hard, but it is also the more noble of the positions.

Welcome to CFnet! I hope you're not just doing a fly-by to pose this poll and will get involved.

Be blessed

 

[jessi1194]

I voted "yes", because without a default like "maybe" not being there, I have too little information. How old are you, if you don't mind saying, and what do you have in the way of a phone or computer? I'm not sure it's the place of a child to question repeatedly the judgment of his/her father. I couldn't tell from your description of the family finances if this is impacting the needs of your family.

I agree that he doesn't need a phone. We didn't get our children phones until they were being dropped off at places with their friends. An iPad? If your dad can afford it, and it can help with his homework, I could see it. It's hard to imagine that he does need it, but I can't say.

I would tend to steer clear of being resentful of what your brother has, and be content with what you are given. I know it's hard, but it is also the more noble of the positions.

Welcome to CFnet! I hope you're not just doing a fly-by to pose this poll and will get involved.

Be blessed

Hello. Thank you for your response. I wrote this post in the midst of my bitter feelings towards my dad's lack of understanding of my argument. So, I understand why I came off as resentful. Well, I'm actually not a child. I am 9 years older than my brother. I'm 20, and I own a Samsung phone that the server provides, which was out of pure choice not because my dad never bought me an Iphone myself. Also, I own a laptop, which was a college gift as a answer to your question. I left out a few details as I was writing right after the conversation I had with my father, but let me assure you that I am not resentful of what my brother has. I am more or so concerned with his behavior of what he has. It has falsely situated him to think that he is rich as he goes around boasting of his possessions and telling people that he's rich. It's actually affected his social life greatly, as his boasting has caused him to not really have any friends, and for the kids around him to speak of him in a negative way. I truly believe that his attitude is a direct effect of my dad buying him anything he asks for, and I tried explaining to my dad this is why he shouldn't add to my brother's collection with an ipad. Maybe when he's older, he can get one as he begins to understand the value of money moreso than now, but right now he is too young.

 

[Nick]

I voted no. (sorry Mike ). I don't think the iPad in itself is wrong, however his and your dad's attitudes in this case leave me to choose no. The Bible never tells us that riches are bad, just that our attitude should be to store up riches in heaven over storing riches on earth. Your brother and father need to understand this, that all these fancy Apple products will all be nothing when they die. In fact, they're not worth anyting when every couple of years when the updated product comes out. You know, iPhone 3's are so not cool! (you get my drift?).

Your brother will soon find that having all this stuff does not actually make him happy and certainly does not give him satisfaction nor security. That realisation may come soon, or it may come in decades time, but it will come. The only true satisfaction, peace, happiness and security can only be found in God and in His Word. Live your life as a reflection of this, so your family may be able to see His work your life, so that they may desire the same thing.