iPad for Christmas

I am a bit alarmed at the number of "iPads for Christmas" I have heard for a child...a child under the age of 5 at that!  Seriously, $600 on a Christmas present for a toddler.  Ok...those big swingset things, tree houses, huge doll houses...well, anything from Pottery Barn!  I guess it's not that out of the ordinary for some people but it is for me.  I realize that some people are just using their toddler as an excuse to get an iPad for it's "educational" purposes and books.

Even if you do have $600 to spend on your toddler this Christmas, let me advocate for an iTouch instead. I "throw" my iTouch in my purse.  I would never "throw" an iPad in my purse.  Trevor has dropped my iTouch in the street...it got a mild response but nothing compared to how I would feel when that iPad hit the floor.  I don't know about your toddler but mine would watch Thomas and Friends or Yo Gabba Gabba on a postage stamp if it meant he got to watch a video, so selling the screen size doesn't fly.

A good friend once advised to NEVER get the on board entertainment system in your vehicle.  Her daughter would just want a video every single time she got in the car...and who wants to do that?  Also, when on vacation...do you really want to sit in the car in your PJ's so that your little darling can zone out to Dora in the morning.  The whole point of baby crack is so that you can actually shower or have a minute to yourself.  You can't do that if your kid is watching a video in the hotel parking lot.  The iTouch props nicely between the headrest and the seatback...you just need one of those grippy covers on it and leather seats help but...you get the idea!

If I really tried to convince myself that it would be so great to have award winning, color illustrated, portable and eco friendly books with me all the times....I would get a Kindle Fire for Trevor.  The sustainability thing is an attractive incentive.  But, what about growing up...going to the library?  Having that book return deadline to spur on your passion for getting through a book and being responsible to bring it back...and they are FREE!  How else can you spend an afternoon with your kid doing something totally free and walk out the door with something to show for it?

If you already bought your toddler an iPad for Christmas...that is really cool because the iPad is truly VERY COOL (not even being snarky here!).  The Monster At the End Of This Book APP is really fun, totally worth $3.99.  But, if you are like me and have an iTouch that you share with your little munchkin...that APP is available for you micro screen peeps!