Thursday 4 August 2011

The iPad Junkie..

It seems that we have an iPad junkie within our midst.  It is not I, Mr P or even Son No 1.  It is in fact Son no 2, yes the 2 year old.  Yip, that’s right the 2 year old.

What started as a cutesy techno habit has turned into a full blown tantrum producing habit.  With cries of “iPad, iPad” and “Show you something Mummy” as he follows me around demanding it and when he has it yelling at me as he wants to show me something he is doing.  Which is usually playing the same game, over and over and over again, nothing quite like repetition to make you want to bang your head against a wall is there?  I have taken to hiding it during the day so he doesn’t see it, kinda like out of sight out of mind, however that doesn’t always work, “iPad mummy, mummy, mummy, IPAD MUMMY?”.

I will put my hands up to say we did encourage it at the start.  As it was something to keep the boys entertained on the plane for our summer holiday.  It was never intended to be an electronic babysitter or pacifier it was just another “toy” to play with.  An expensive toy I do admit but at least we could choose what apps or games they were using.  Nor were they annoying us every five minutes to change an app or game as they could do it themselves.  Really as it is such an easy device for children to use, I am surprised Apple aren’t marketing it more to parents as the “must have present” for your child.

So back to our little junkie, what am I going to do about it?  Well I think that would be a big fat zero.  Nothing, in fact I would prefer him to be on the iPad then watching the telly as I can kid myself that it is more educational than the telly.  We have apps installed that are teaching him his colours, counting, matching pairs etc, and of course there is always Angry Birds!  Let’s face it the way technology is changing it won’t be long before most schools, including primary schools, have some sort of multi touch devices for the students to use.

My only dilemma is whether we buy myself another one, one that I can use that isn’t covered in sticky fingerprints and toddler snot and slobber..

7 comments:

Rachel said...

Slobber is the peril of a touch screen. Sadly we have an ipad junkie in this house...two actually, but only one ipad (which is to say we have many ipad wars). Good luck, keep calm.

Lisa | mama.ie said...

Love it! I had a little iPad and iPhone toddler at home too! But like you, I'm much happier seeing him play with the iPad than watching something on TV.

Frankie Parker said...

Oh Rachel, spot on about the ipad wars. don't get me started ont that one..

Lisa, yeah i am sure they are educational, fingers crossed anyway...

Jacq said...

Oh mine are all totally addicted. The 3 year old is a complete tyrant. We have three and DH still doesn't get to play with one!!!

Frankie Parker said...

Jacq, so glad you mentione you had 3 as if we get another one that is how many we will have.. Thought that was a bit excessive.. I can see me still not getting to use it thou..

Emma said...

Sweet! But they do have their uses. I went to a posh furniture design shop in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Two boys were parked in chairs with ipads whilst their parents had time to browse at their leisure! Made me laugh! Emma :)

tea76 said...

wow how scary I have a 3 and a 4 year old and they love the Ds's they probably no more than me