DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

My 8 yr old DD really wants a Kindle for Christmas (she actually wanted it for her birthday in Sept, but I just couldn't do it) and I really don't want her to have one.

It's just so antithetical to my whole style of parenting--I just do not want my kid sitting in front of a screen, I guess. I am the only person in the family with an iPad, kids don't use it. No one "plays" on my iPhone (except occasionally to look at the pictures). That's just how I am--I just don't think my 3rd grader needs to be a part of the digital world. Read a book, KWIM? She's got a DSi; we have Netflix; she plays on the laptop once in a blue, so what is the purpose of the Kindle?

Yet, all of her friends have some or other device like this, her 6 yr old sister is getting a DS for Christmas and her 3 yr old brother just got a LeapPad for his birthday and most importantly, she is SUCH a good, kind (yes, that is sincere), smart kid.

I'm not sure what I'm asking here, but maybe just your thoughts...

DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I totally get where you are coming from. DD is 6 and has no IPad, Ipod or even a DS. She has a LeapPad and that's it and she hardly ever uses it. She really wants a tablet though and that said I am going to get her the Ipad for Christmas. I totally plan on controlling the time she spends on it though. She will NOT be one of those kids walking around with a device attached to her. I will not allow that.

I think there is an even greater value in children playing with actual toys, other kids and reading real books BUT this is also a new generation so I'm going to try to go with the flow and incorporate the technology but only on my terms and what I think is right for my child.

From everything you wrote I think your DD is the perfect age for a kindle. I've also heard great things about them. I totally understand and sympathize with where you are coming from because I feel the same way however I think they can be used as educational tools as long as the parents are aware of what is being done on them and the parents set limits as to how much time is spent on them.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I see both sides of it.

My girls play with their iPads, but can also amuse themselves.

And there are programs on the kindle that allow you to see a time limit. So she can't look at it more then 45 minutes, etc.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

DD is 2.5 and plays with both the kindle fire and the iPad but she also loves playing with her toys and playing outside. Maybe she is on it at home for a total of 90 minutes a week - last night we were reading its the great pumpkin charlie brown together - I am not sure how i would survive long car rides without these devices. She watches sesame street and plays with Elmo aps and kids books.

My nephews who are 6 and 8 have tablets and they aren't glued to them either but they are useful when you want them occupied for a little while.

There are a lot of cool aps on the tablets these days and interactive books.

I know that you can limit the time use on the new kindles.

I think technology is usually fine in moderation in this day and age.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I see where you are coming from, but in this day and age, it's almost inevitable. My ds is in first grade and has homework on the ipad and higher grades are using kindles in the classrooms (private catholic school.). I would limit her usage each day so he can enjoy it, but learn there are limits (as w/ anything else...tv, video games, sweets etc.)

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

Honestly? My pov is that you're holding her back from technology that is inevitably going to be a huge part of her life. My ds is almost 4, so different age, but I let him have full use of our iPad etc. So far he has not wanted it enough for me to limit it, but I would if it became excessive. Technology is going to have to be second nature for our kids. That's just my opinion, I can see your thinking too. I do agree that our lives are too dependent on it in so many ways.

DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

If it is just for reading I think it is a great thing because it will encourage her to read. I wouldn't get her the Kindle Fire with access to the internet or anything.

DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

Could you get her a plain old kindle, like the paperwhite (just black and white and boring boring books) or does she want something more like a mini tablet? A regular kindle, just for books and plain old reading, seems like a great idea, kind of gratuitous, but a great idea if she loves reading... though if it was straight up as some sort of tablet/ipad replacement I'd be a little hesitant as well since it seems like she has a few entertainment tech pieces already

DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

i can understand your hesitation, but technology is always going to be around. getting her started on it now isnt a bad thing imo
i would probably get it but limit how often she is on it - let her know it is not a "toy" that she can use daily (or if it is, its only for 30 minutes a day - or whatever you choose)

DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I get it. My DD is 4 and getting a Kindle. She does play games on mine, but her favorite apps are learning apps. Letters, Numbers, and Learn to read ones. I have no issue with that at all. We limit it to 1 hr a day and she loves it. You can also do Kindle Free Time to limit screen time also.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I totally see where you're coming from but I agree with the others, especially at her age. I'm all for setting a time limit and monitoring what it's being used for but I think it's important for kids to learn. Sadly, technology is such a part of life these days and kids do need to learn how to use it.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

Message edited 11/20/2013 1:10:10 PM.

DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I totally get it and will probably feel the same way about whatever new technology is out in a few years! I have no desire for DD to play with phones or my nook. The good thing about technology these days is that it's very user friendly and easy to pick up on so I definitely don't think you're holding her back or setting her up to always be behind on this stuff. I have a masters in technology and yet don't own a smartphone and have no desire to use whatever all these apps are people talk about, lol. My mom, who obviously didn't grow up with this stuff always has the newest best thing the day it comes on the market. The only reason I even have a nook is bc she gave me a hand me down. I don't know what I would do in your shoes though. It's tough not wanting them to feel left out but I also don't want to get sucked into that they have to have anything their friends have.

DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

Like a pp said, get her a paperwhite! I LOVE mine, and the only thing it does is act like a regular old book. :)

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I think using technology is fine with ground rules and moderation. We are really big library users, so I don't know that I'd get them a Kindle that pretty much only has one utility like reading.

Other than a 3DS, my 8 and 6 yr old don't have their own device. They have access to an iPad, Kindle Fire and iTouch because DH and I upgraded to newer generations, but they know we still own them.

DS#1 uses an iPad every night because he has to log into a site to do math problems. DS#2 loves animal/nature shows so he often will watch on an an iPad.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

like others said... its not the technology that's bad necessarily... its how you let her use it. I think it would be fine to get her one, but just be controlling of how and when she uses it.
I hear the kindle fires are great for kids, because of the features they have, like the timer that only lets them on there for a certain amount of time, and the fact that it can also be used to read. I don't really see how it would be a bad thing to have at her age- again, as long as you really monitor it and it doesn't just become a "babysitter" for her.
DS just turned 3, and he has my old iPhone 3GS. :-/ obviously, it has no phone or data service on it- so its more like an ipod touch. all of the apps that are on there are educational ones. There is one where he actually has to do a 12 piece puzzle (moving the pieces around with his fingers. so hes actively thinking while hes on there. another one called Monkey Lunchbox that has been teaching him matching, shapes, colors, etc. That said, we are VERY strict about when he uses it. on long car trips, its the last resort that we pull out after all the other coloring books, mr. potato head, etc haha we also don't have any family nearby to babysit, so occasionally we'll use it to keep him busy while we need to get something done- like shopping for a new sofa, or applying for his social security number (he was adopted and just got one). I'm SURE people roll they're eyes on the rare occasions hes on it out in public....but he is super smart, social, and thriving, so whatever

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

It's a personal choice so you have to do what you think is best for your kid.

That being said,we live in a digital world and I think it's natural for a kid to want iPads and Kindles.............they are surrounded by them everywhere as it is in their daily life. Schools, libraries, stores etc.

My DD (now 5) got a Leap Pad at age 3, has been using my iPad since age 4 and inherited my Kindle Fire when I got my iPad. However, she's also an avid reader and has a great imagination..............using the techie devices are just a small part of what she likes to do and play with. Some days she doesn't use them at all.

I feel like you can restrict her from having a Kindle but in the end, at some point, she'll likely end up with one anyway. For me, I wouldn't have a problem with it, everything in moderation. As long as she doesn't spend 10 hours a day on it, I say go for it...............she'll be so happy Xmas morning!

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

I get it- I think books are invaluable and should always be around. However, as an educator, if a kindle is going to motivate her to read more, then go for it. Bottom line is that reading is soooo important, so whatever it will take to maximize her time reading. Plus,she can look up words and do some other strategies that she will be learning about in the next few years in school. I work in a ms and we encourage kindle if it will get kids reading.

Just put on the settings that only allow for reading, not games.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

My 8yr old DD is getting one. I've been against it & just changed my mind recently. She's a good responsible kid. She uses my mother's & actually downloads books on them. She will not however be allowed unlimited use. It's a digital age its inevitable & she deserves it & can use it educationally as well.

Re: DD wants a Kindle; I'm a stick in the mud. Help!

Thank you everyone for your input. You all made a lot of sense. I think part of the issue is this loss of control over our not-so-little ones is frightening. First it's the Kindle, next thing they're posting nude pictures of themselves to strangers Also, it's not something you or I grew up with and I can't tell you how depressing it was seeing kids in their strollers at Disney...freakin' DISNEY glued to phones. Sigh...

I have pretty much decided to get it especially because so far we've been good at limiting other devices--I mean, I'm such a lunatic that these things don't even leave the house unless we're traveling 3+ hours--and especially because she's an honor student and all that. She's going to be absolutely beside herself on Christmas morning