18 years ago we took our daughter to Disney World in Florida. I still have fond memories of that trip. I don't have any fond memories of the computer I was using back then.
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Vacation in Orlando with my 12 year old vs. buying a new MacBook Pro 13" Help!
- Thread starter janjan77
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The kid is going on vacation either way, it's just a matter of where. The Dells are a ton of fun. I'd rather go there than Orlando anyway.
From the OP: They did the whole Disney trip 2 years ago, too. I'm sure they have tons of memories from that trip too.
This isn't about buying a computer vs. taking a vacation. This is about whether the OP should take 1 trip & buy a computer or take 2 trips. The thread title doesn't help much, but that's really what this is about.
Here's a suggestion that's completely off-base: neither of the above!
When I was 12 I saw Disneyland for the first time, with my parents. This was 1961 (yes, 52 years ago!). I still remember the experience. However we did a lot more on that vacation (it was 5 weeks, the longest vacation I've ever been on, by far), and there were plenty of other experiences on that trip I remember more fondly.
All I see here is discussions about vacations to theme parks versus a computer. I'd suggest the vacation over a computer, that's for sure, but go someplace that will be more "mind expanding" than the artificiality of a theme park. If you live in a city, vacation in the country -- for instance visit a few National Parks. If you live in the country or small town vacation in a large city.
When I was 12 I saw Disneyland for the first time, with my parents. This was 1961 (yes, 52 years ago!). I still remember the experience. However we did a lot more on that vacation (it was 5 weeks, the longest vacation I've ever been on, by far), and there were plenty of other experiences on that trip I remember more fondly.
All I see here is discussions about vacations to theme parks versus a computer. I'd suggest the vacation over a computer, that's for sure, but go someplace that will be more "mind expanding" than the artificiality of a theme park. If you live in a city, vacation in the country -- for instance visit a few National Parks. If you live in the country or small town vacation in a large city.
Going with the computer is pretty much a no-brainer.
A vacation is brief thing. It can be fun but will come and go quickly. A computer is also fun but will last you for years. The computer can have a positive impact on his life. Something that he will be able to appreciate and use and learn from for a very long time. A vacation will be a joy. But what then? It will be a fleeting experience. He'll just eventually forget about it.
No. Going with the computer is the easy choice here. Besides, think back to when you were your sons age. Which would you have preferred? Vacation or a computer? I know that if I was the kid, I would definitely prefer the computer. But like others said, just ask him.
A vacation is brief thing. It can be fun but will come and go quickly. A computer is also fun but will last you for years. The computer can have a positive impact on his life. Something that he will be able to appreciate and use and learn from for a very long time. A vacation will be a joy. But what then? It will be a fleeting experience. He'll just eventually forget about it.
No. Going with the computer is the easy choice here. Besides, think back to when you were your sons age. Which would you have preferred? Vacation or a computer? I know that if I was the kid, I would definitely prefer the computer. But like others said, just ask him.
I say, Vacation!
Spending time with family #1
But if it is a necessary thing to own another Apple product.
Ask your Son, & then ask yourself.
Pretend you were in his shoes...If you feel any regret what so ever to NOT go on this trip with your son.
Then you have your Answer!
Spending time with family #1
But if it is a necessary thing to own another Apple product.
Ask your Son, & then ask yourself.
Pretend you were in his shoes...If you feel any regret what so ever to NOT go on this trip with your son.
Then you have your Answer!
Trips with my son are without a doubt my best $ spent in life
Estes Park CO
Road trips Mi, IA, IL, IN, KY, OH... Just hanging out on the road
Kauai HI
Disney- a few times.
on and on.
He is now 16, and we speak of Colorado and Repelling like it was yesterday. Scuba in HI etc.
This summer it's on the road to check out some College's
Good thread OP, but time with family rocks- forget the machine it can't give back.
Estes Park CO
Road trips Mi, IA, IL, IN, KY, OH... Just hanging out on the road
Kauai HI
Disney- a few times.
on and on.
He is now 16, and we speak of Colorado and Repelling like it was yesterday. Scuba in HI etc.
This summer it's on the road to check out some College's
Good thread OP, but time with family rocks- forget the machine it can't give back.
Some of my best childhood memories are of vacations I took with my parents. I do have good memories of playing with computers as well, but the vacation memories are better. Also, I play with computers every day now, while some of those vacations I haven't had a chance to do again. Besides, you already have two computers that your son can access, so what does giving him his own really get him?
A computer lasts for 5 years (or 10 years if it's a Mac). But the memories from a trip to Orlando, assuming it's Disney World you're planning to take him to, will last forever.
I wouldn't even give the boy a choice, but take him to Orlando and buy him a computer later if he really needed one. In another thread I saw a guy who had gotten a late 2008 MB-alu for only $250, so there's obviously a good second-hand market for Macs.
I wouldn't even give the boy a choice, but take him to Orlando and buy him a computer later if he really needed one. In another thread I saw a guy who had gotten a late 2008 MB-alu for only $250, so there's obviously a good second-hand market for Macs.
Get the mbp. The feeling and excitement of purchasing it and turning it on for the first time doesn't compare to the life sharing events.
Now go look into a mirror and recite these words.
Selfish prick.
That's my answer, thank you for asking
You know what's right. You won't regret spending the time with your son.
Now go look into a mirror and recite these words.
Selfish prick.
That's my answer, thank you for asking
You know what's right. You won't regret spending the time with your son.
I'm twelve years old. My dad promised me a vacation to Universal Orlando & Island of Adventure & Wet N WIld & the Magic Kingdom in Florida but instead he had to buy this new MacBook Pro that he didn't need at all. Then I had this accident where I spilled a whole bottle of Coke, half on his new MacBook Pro and the other half on his iMac 27". I am so sorry
(My part is of course made up. I sincerely hope so is the part of the thread starter).
I don't really get where all this outrage is coming from. It's not "spending time with my child or giving them a computer", it's "take two vacations, or give me child a computer and take a vacation this summer".
OP, either way you're doing just fine. It seems here that you love your child quite a bit. You can't make a wrong choice here, so either ask your son, or flip a coin.
OP, either way you're doing just fine. It seems here that you love your child quite a bit. You can't make a wrong choice here, so either ask your son, or flip a coin.
Because it comes down to asking us whether he should by a superfluous new toy for himself or spend that money on a family trip (before you tell me that they will go on a trip regardless, note I said spend that money).
Now, perhaps you don't realize this, but most people with children would literally get tortured and die for their kids. So, to hear about this supposed conundrum is going to cause quite a big disconnect in most parents' minds.
I'll also point out that I, at least, got the impression from the OP that going to the Dells was going to be a less exciting option. If this wasn't the case, surely the OP would just ask his child which trip they prefer and be done with it. The fact that they came here implies, to me, that he suspects the trip to FL would be preferred, but he really wants validation for making the selfish choice.
So you can agree or not with those reactions, and it could all be completely wrong anyway. However I suspect those are the impressions most have gotten from the post, and that is why most of the thread has erupted in "outrage." Hope that helps you see where the others are coming from.
My parents would never have bothered to give me the a choice like that at 12 years old. I would have been "forced" into the vacation and would have loved every minute of it.
Do not put the kid in the middle of this choice. A 12 year old can't weigh what will be most important in the future, they are in the present. Unless you can't pay the bills and provide for family basics without the new gear for work, spend the money on family time.
yikes
whatever you do make sure you spend money!
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typical Lannister response
I was in a similar situation before (I won't be too specific) when I was younger, and we ended up choosing the vacation. Years later, I don't regret the decision.
Not my family, we love going there and my children have memories for a life time. My friends who had the opportunity to go there as a child mention it fondly to the point its a cherished memory.
Technology breaks or gets replaced but providing an experience such as a wonderful vacation will last a life time.
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