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RESOLVED: Geez...my spoiled daughter was disappointed when I gave her a new 11" MBA!

I'm a young teen and I had my first MacBook at 11. It was a bottom spec'd MBP. I worked for half of it and got the other half for birthday/Xmas.

Now, I recently go a new one, thanks to my nan :D
She wanted a new 'Mac Air' but it was 'far too expensive dear'. So she bought half of my new MBP which was less than the Air, I gave her my old one and she sold it and bought a base 13" MBA :D

I think it's up to the parents what they get their kids. At seven, I was programming HTML and at nine was coding simple Java and ActionScript. I wouldn't say I spoilt (I share my MBP 50/50 with my brother) but I admit my lappy is a luxury and not everyone my age has one.

I try to make use of it, using it almost daily for Photoshop and very regularly for some FCP work :D
 
Every parent should be able to use their own judgement (to an extent) to raise their child.

The repliers here saying the OP is a bad father don't really have much of a basis to stand on to make such a claim. Obviously he cares about his daughter, and whether he is spoiling her or not isn't anyone else's problem.

It is arguable whether a child should have access or limited access to the computer, but keep the argument civil, and allow the OP to feel good about buying a gift for his daughter. He didn't do it to be bashed, but to do a nice thing for his daughter.
 
Darth.Titan said:
A seven year old has no business with a $1000 laptop, or any other laptop for that matter.
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My daughter had a hand-me-down original iBook when she was 3. She loved it. Now she has a hand-me-down 12" PowerBook G4 at age 6. Loves it. Got it locked down so she can only get to educational websites, plus some locally-hosted games.

She has a time limit of two hours per day (aka: the battery only lasts two hours, and I have the charger.)
 
leftywamumonkey said:
The repliers here saying the OP is a bad father don't really have much of a basis to stand on to make such a claim. Obviously he cares about his daughter, and whether he is spoiling her or not isn't anyone else's problem.
Click to expand...

Yep, parents not taking accountability for their child's behaviors and attitude... that's the American way... who are we to question.
 
Wow, I wish my parents bought my a new Mac every year, haha..

I'm still saving for a MBA, I need to get rid of this crappy HP laptop that I have now (my parents didn't buy that for me either), hopefully I'll have enough by Christmas :\
 
Just be grateful that your child isn't Bill Gates's. They are forced to use Zunes :eek:

This wonderful fellow also say's he's wont leave his children any more than 10M.

Meanwhile he lives like a sultan in a 25 bathroom palace.

10M won't even pay the bills these days.

Just think....raised on zunes and then cut out after all of that.


" I want my children to earn a living like I did"

Well Bill, maybe you weren't disadvantaged by having to use Zunes when you clawed your way up.
 
dmk1974 said:
My daughter has a 2010 white MacBook (latest model...as of today) that has the warranty expiring soon. So, instead of buying the AppleCare, I thought I'd be a great Dad and surprise her with a new 11" base model MacBook Air (and then sell the MacBook).

I give it too her yesterday thinking she'd like it (since she said she thought they were cool at the local Apple Store last week), but after like 15 seconds, she says she doesn't want it because there's no disc drive in it for music and DVDs. I told her that I can rip those and just put the file on the MBA or whatever, but then still said that she needs that (despite all the other benefits of the newer and lighter MBA).

For my use, my 2011 MBP is better than an MBA, but clearly I'm not listening to the voice of the customer/user in this case! But geez...she's SEVEN! She is really smart and detailed and knows what she wants, but I see myself taking my son on weekend getaways every month starting in a few years or so from now :)
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I feel if people come here and post things like this then they are ready for some armchair parents to come by and speak their mind. So here we go.

I find a few things wrong here. First, instead of spending a few hundred, if that, on an extended warranty for a perfectly fine machine (a decent investment in my opinion), you opted to buy an entirely new computer setting a precedent. By doing this, your child will begin to realize that when the warranty is up on something she will get something replaced. No mind if it is working fine and an extended warranty is available. What lesson is taught there? I can't see how this teaches a child to value money and possessions.

Buying a 7 year old such a machine in the first place seems a bit much but parents who have will give and I can't really find too much fault in that. If you have the means and you want to buy then buy but there is a line here and negotiating with a 7 year old is going to send you down the wrong path real fast. Sure, kudos to your kid for knowing what she wants. There is nothing wrong really if she would prefer to keep the old. If you give into her though and buy her a MacBook Pro instead (I don't think that was stated but it would not shock me now) then you will be showing her who the boss is.

If you take back the MBAir and give her back the "old" 2010 MacBook then you will be telling her that you are listening to her needs and her needs are met with the "old" machine. But again, don't reward her with buying say a brand new MacBook Pro. If you do that then you are rewarding her for being rude and greedy, give her back her MacBook, which was quite the gift in the first place, buy the warranty and keep or sell the MBAir. If you sell it, the hit that you take should be seen as a life lesson for you because clearly, you need to understand that just because the warranty runs out on something doesn't mean it is faulty. Your money may be easy to come by but at least value it for the sake of teaching your child a similar lesson.

Finally, if you are at all confused over what to do when you hand your child a machine with such a price tag and she essentially tells you to piss off because she has needs that aren't being met with such machine then I suspect it would be wise to seek some professional parenting advice because you should not feel guilty. You likely would benefit from asking her if a MBAir would suit her and if not, buy Apple Care and not an entirely new machine. You're not a bad father, as some have said, and it's your right to spoil your kid but if you are causing more harm to her than good then perhaps you need to pull back a bit on the extravagant gifts.
 
leftywamumonkey said:
Every parent should be able to use their own judgement (to an extent) to raise their child.

The repliers here saying the OP is a bad father don't really have much of a basis to stand on to make such a claim. Obviously he cares about his daughter, and whether he is spoiling her or not isn't anyone else's problem.

It is arguable whether a child should have access or limited access to the computer, but keep the argument civil, and allow the OP to feel good about buying a gift for his daughter. He didn't do it to be bashed, but to do a nice thing for his daughter.
Click to expand...

When somebody is posting to public forum, he is asking for advise and approval.
Nobody is saying he doesn't care for his daughter and at least I am saying he should put his foot down and stand on his ground now because when she turns teen, she will tear him apart.

You are 7 year old. What real important duty do you need to do that requires $1000 laptop? I am criticizing the father more here on decision to buy MBA for her daugther and then turns around and get offended when his 7 year old rejects the gift w/ some rational reason.

Just get her all purpose $300 desktop and call it a day.
 
Interested in adopting a 39 yr old son?

Two years ago, when my daughter was 7, I got her 4 yr old Dell laptop from work for $50. I understand what you're trying to do but if she's happy with the Macbook you should have just extended the Apple Care and put the money towards her college fund or something else useful. It sounds like she has specific needs in a laptop and the Air didn't meet them.
 
jessica. said:
I feel if people come here and post things like this then they are ready for some armchair parents to come by and speak their mind. So here we go.

I find a few things wrong here. First, instead of spending a few hundred, if that, on an extended warranty for a perfectly fine machine (a decent investment in my opinion), you opted to buy an entirely new computer setting a precedent. By doing this, your child will begin to realize that when the warranty is up on something she will get something replaced. No mind if it is working fine and an extended warranty is available. What lesson is taught there? I can't see how this teaches a child to value money and possessions.

Buying a 7 year old such a machine in the first place seems a bit much but parents who have will give and I can't really find too much fault in that. If you have the means and you want to buy then buy but there is a line here and negotiating with a 7 year old is going to send you down the wrong path real fast. Sure, kudos to your kid for knowing what she wants. There is nothing wrong really if she would prefer to keep the old. If you give into her though and buy her a MacBook Pro instead (I don't think that was stated but it would not shock me now) then you will be showing her who the boss is.

If you take back the MBAir and give her back the "old" 2010 MacBook then you will be telling her that you are listening to her needs and her needs are met with the "old" machine. But again, don't reward her with buying say a brand new MacBook Pro. If you do that then you are rewarding her for being rude and greedy, give her back her MacBook, which was quite the gift in the first place, buy the warranty and keep or sell the MBAir. If you sell it, the hit that you take should be seen as a life lesson for you because clearly, you need to understand that just because the warranty runs out on something doesn't mean it is faulty. Your money may be easy to come by but at least value it for the sake of teaching your child a similar lesson.

Finally, if you are at all confused over what to do when you hand your child a machine with such a price tag and she essentially tells you to piss off because she has needs that aren't being met with such machine then I suspect it would be wise to seek some professional parenting advice because you should not feel guilty. You likely would benefit from asking her if a MBAir would suit her and if not, buy Apple Care and not an entirely new machine. You're not a bad father, as some have said, and it's your right to spoil your kid but if you are causing more harm to her than good then perhaps you need to pull back a bit on the extravagant gifts.
Click to expand...


Good stuff here.
If I can just say that I don't care how much money you have, you should not buy 7 year old laptop where they can access internet 24x7.. You need to supervise kids on internet at such early age where their judgement is not sound yet.
 
I think it's a great story that illustrates that we can often be content with what we have. As a parent, I was a bit concerned about her having a laptop at 7, but 1) she's not my kid and 2) I'm planning on giving my 4-year-old my 3GS when I upgrade to the iPhone 5. If I understand correctly, the OP's daughter wasn't/isn't a spoiled brat (spoiled, maybe, but the story doesn't make her out to be ungrateful/bratty), she just would rather have something that does what she wants and doesn't need the latest and greatest shinny new thing coming out of Cupertino.

Kids are getting used to technology earlier and earlier. My 11-month-old already loves playing with the computer and "understands" Skype. So it does seem a bit early, but no different than my generation with TV/Video Games.

Also, who's to say that the OP isn't an active parent? Sure it's "her" computer, but that doesn't mean that the OP hasn't set boundaries and/or parental controls on her account. The fact that it's a laptop makes it easier to take away, not harder. (No laptop after 9; the laptop goes in my room every night, and can't be taken up to your room... problem solved.)
 
I absolutely won't be buying her a MBP. If she absolutely doesn't like the MBA, I'll just take it back to Best Buy for a full refund. No real harm there. I'll possibly then pay for the extended Apple Care. That white MB has good enough specs to last a couple years.
 
jdechko said:
I think it's a great story that illustrates that we can often be content with what we have. As a parent, I was a bit concerned about her having a laptop at 7, but 1) she's not my kid and 2) I'm planning on giving my 4-year-old my 3GS when I upgrade to the iPhone 5. If I understand correctly, the OP's daughter wasn't/isn't a spoiled brat (spoiled, maybe, but the story doesn't make her out to be ungrateful/bratty), she just would rather have something that does what she wants and doesn't need the latest and greatest shinny new thing coming out of Cupertino.

Kids are getting used to technology earlier and earlier. My 11-month-old already loves playing with the computer and "understands" Skype. So it does seem a bit early, but no different than my generation with TV/Video Games.
Click to expand...

so this is definitely a good debate. Just because kids are getting used to internet from early age, does that automatically make it to be the right thing?
 
I'm surprised that everyone here all shocked that a 7 year old has a laptop. Back in the day when I was 9 I got my first laptop (a sony) and I was able to use it. However why didn't you just buy the extended warranty, I mean buying a new laptop right after the old one is a big extreme. You buy her the new computer when the old one dies. I wouldn't even return it because you don't deserve to pay the restocking fee charges. If I were you just get her the optical usb drive. And as for the internet thing, if you have filters setup on your router you should be ok. But when I had my computer back then... Well for starters we didn't have wireless internet so I couldn't get online with it (Had to use the family computer) but I could hack the DSL line and intercept phone calls when my mom made them and listen to them.

Also doesn't she know you can get music for free or use iTunes or now Spotify. And for movies there's iTunes and as for software, that's all gone digital.

And finally! DO NOT BUY THE MACBOOK PRO. Unless your super rich but seriously. I think what i'd do would be give her the Air. If she's really whinny get her the external usb dvd drive. Sell the MacBook and get some good money back.
 
My 5 yr old hates Windows..

To those in this thread that believe that children that young should not own/use a laptop, I think you underestimate the capabilities of children nowadays. She even knows the difference between Mac OS (used at home) and Windows (school computers)!! And she loooves Macs.. Future fangirl..

My 5 yr old uses my old 2007 White Macbook (decked out in a pink cover), and it is perfect for her needs. These are:

1) Playing flash games from all different sites (themed of favorite characters)

2) Googling... Yes, especially Google Images, which feeds her curiosity of the world we live in.

3) Email. I had to open a Gmail account for her, as she kept sending things from my email address (she figured it out!) Actually, she learned how to email from playing with my iphone, as all these apps make it super easy to understand for a child. Also, the Apple Mail App is so easy to use, that she has learned very quickly. (She can read and write very well, even though only 5 yrs old)

4) Movies and Youtube (loves Youtube)


I think it's great, as she can handle it. However, I have parental controls in place, as well as ad blockers, and she can only use it in the living room, where someone is always supervising. (Using it alone is strictly forbidden)

In regards to the OP, I must say that the White MB (even from 2007) is a perfect option, and there really is no need for an ultraportable, since it does not move from the "homework desk" (in our case).

You know, if you really want to surprise her, get a Cinema Display, and enhance the experience of her MB. That's my plan for Xmas..
 
sporadicMotion said:
Why does my gut say the majority in here don't have kids?
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In fact, many of the replies indicate responses from overly-indulgent parents who foist their parental shortcomings on those of us who believe that our kids should earn their privileges. I wonder if this Dad buys her lattes, pays the phone bill for her iPhone, or gives her a $100 iTunes gift card?!

Give me a break...a $1000 gift for an unappreciative 7-year old! The central issue isn't whether kids should have/be exposed to computers at this age...the issue is terrible parenting. Simply excusing this bad parenting by indicating that the Dad is caring misses the point.

No wonder many teachers complain about these narcissistic youngsters and their meddling, overly-protective parents who believe that: assignment red-marks are intended as a personal attack; "competition" is bad ("Every one on the soccer team gets a trophy for simply showing up!"); personal failure should be avoided at all costs (and when it happens, find a scapegoat!); short bursts of attention are adequate performance; their opinions count as much as others (including teachers and elders on matter of fact); whining about marks is acceptable.

Of course, these parents are also narcissistic and self-indulgent. Where do you think their children get these behaviours?

Buying "lots of stuff" for their kids doesn't gloss over the parental inadequacies of teaching them that individual accountability and responsibility for one's behaviour should be the benchmark of civiized behavioour.

Interesting how the criticisms voiced of this Dad and his spoilt brat has unleashed the defensiveness on the part of these self-absorbed "parents" who may feel that they've done a great job by burdening the rest of us with their crummy parenting?
 
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