The 10 year old excitedly sat at the computer table. He has spent weeks compiling his birthday list and now came the time to unveil it, and order some things.
Okay so we are pushing it a bit fine this year, his birthdays on Saturday. We have just been so busy it has been impossible to sit down with him quietly.
Now was his moment. I knew what was on there, or at least I thought I did, as he has talked about nothing else for months. He knows roughly how much we have available to spend so had eagerly been scouring the net for the best sites and deals.
Lego is always a hot favourite of his. He collects The Star Wars sets and has a sizeable and enviable amount now, he builds them in a matter of minutes. His dream job is to be a designer in Legoland! There's a new Star Wars set out recently so I am guessing that some of this will appear.
His new love, is his scooter that he was bought for Christmas. I must admit my now scooter mad son's conversations are about as familiar to me as speaking Serbo -Croat, but I try. He wants some sort of modifications for his scooter for his birthday as well.
I have also been buying a few things along the way, and was secretly very pleased with myself in the January sales for securing a wonderful portable video player at a fraction of the usual price. We only have two tv's in the house. His constant whine is that one room has cbeebies after school and the other room the teens programmes. I felt at least he could have some peace and quiet to watch his Star Wars films on!
And so to the unveiling.
Up came Amazon UK.
Then ipod touch, new edition, black £145.00!!!!!!! with the 3 year insurance (I always insist on this) brought it up to £200. Completely over budget and nothing I had anticipated.
He saw my shock, and hastily added that after due consideration he had recently (hmm the last 24 hrs or so) changed his mind.
I am seriously thinking this has something to do with his best friend, and main influence on his life.
'Does so and so have one?' I ask, already knowing the answer.
'Oh yes' he enthusiastically replies not spotting the obvious trap.
'Well I am going to have to discuss this with Dad".
He groans, this was not what he had anticipated and follows with a barrage of very well rehearsed and eloquent reasons (he thinks I will like) why this is a good idea.
On discussion with dad the answer was no.
It was painful to break this too, him. I hate to see the child's dreams vanish from before his eyes.
Our reasons were well thought out, and the other teens had their say, namely "Thats so wrong at his age, we didn't get one so young, he will totally abuse the internet .....and so on'
They had several good points.
They know him well.
Yes, he was in our eyes too young for such an expensive piece of technology.
Yes he would most certainly (despite all his protests) abuse the internet.
He would be even more addicted to the tv/games/videos/ than he already is (and has a very strict time limit)
We would not be able to control easily what he downloads, watches or what influences him.At just 10 we felt this sort of technology was not for him.
He thought otherwise.
And made it VERY CLEAR we had not only ruined his birthday but the rest of his life!
It's so tough to say no, but they have to realise, that they cannot, yell, scream, holler and reason their way into you saying yes every time.
He has to learn, no means no.
Dad spent 15 mins patiently explaining our reasons.
He just didn't listen.
So dad said "I tell you what son, I have tried to explain why, so I will put it more simply. We are saying no and no means no."
Everything inside you screams how much you love that kid, you don't want him disappointed on his special day, yet you know you are making a wise choice.
Today I met him from school, slightly dreading the mood, as we had to come home and decide on some new presents.
To my utter amazement he was great. Really excited and happy to be showing me, yes you have guessed it, all the original things on his list. Far more suitable, age appropriate and I am sure will give him equally , if not more pleasure.
Kids!
Okay so we are pushing it a bit fine this year, his birthdays on Saturday. We have just been so busy it has been impossible to sit down with him quietly.
Now was his moment. I knew what was on there, or at least I thought I did, as he has talked about nothing else for months. He knows roughly how much we have available to spend so had eagerly been scouring the net for the best sites and deals.
Lego is always a hot favourite of his. He collects The Star Wars sets and has a sizeable and enviable amount now, he builds them in a matter of minutes. His dream job is to be a designer in Legoland! There's a new Star Wars set out recently so I am guessing that some of this will appear.
His new love, is his scooter that he was bought for Christmas. I must admit my now scooter mad son's conversations are about as familiar to me as speaking Serbo -Croat, but I try. He wants some sort of modifications for his scooter for his birthday as well.
I have also been buying a few things along the way, and was secretly very pleased with myself in the January sales for securing a wonderful portable video player at a fraction of the usual price. We only have two tv's in the house. His constant whine is that one room has cbeebies after school and the other room the teens programmes. I felt at least he could have some peace and quiet to watch his Star Wars films on!
And so to the unveiling.
Up came Amazon UK.
Then ipod touch, new edition, black £145.00!!!!!!! with the 3 year insurance (I always insist on this) brought it up to £200. Completely over budget and nothing I had anticipated.
He saw my shock, and hastily added that after due consideration he had recently (hmm the last 24 hrs or so) changed his mind.
I am seriously thinking this has something to do with his best friend, and main influence on his life.
'Does so and so have one?' I ask, already knowing the answer.
'Oh yes' he enthusiastically replies not spotting the obvious trap.
'Well I am going to have to discuss this with Dad".
He groans, this was not what he had anticipated and follows with a barrage of very well rehearsed and eloquent reasons (he thinks I will like) why this is a good idea.
On discussion with dad the answer was no.
It was painful to break this too, him. I hate to see the child's dreams vanish from before his eyes.
Our reasons were well thought out, and the other teens had their say, namely "Thats so wrong at his age, we didn't get one so young, he will totally abuse the internet .....and so on'
They had several good points.
They know him well.
Yes, he was in our eyes too young for such an expensive piece of technology.
Yes he would most certainly (despite all his protests) abuse the internet.
He would be even more addicted to the tv/games/videos/ than he already is (and has a very strict time limit)
We would not be able to control easily what he downloads, watches or what influences him.At just 10 we felt this sort of technology was not for him.
He thought otherwise.
And made it VERY CLEAR we had not only ruined his birthday but the rest of his life!
It's so tough to say no, but they have to realise, that they cannot, yell, scream, holler and reason their way into you saying yes every time.
He has to learn, no means no.
Dad spent 15 mins patiently explaining our reasons.
He just didn't listen.
So dad said "I tell you what son, I have tried to explain why, so I will put it more simply. We are saying no and no means no."
Everything inside you screams how much you love that kid, you don't want him disappointed on his special day, yet you know you are making a wise choice.
Today I met him from school, slightly dreading the mood, as we had to come home and decide on some new presents.
To my utter amazement he was great. Really excited and happy to be showing me, yes you have guessed it, all the original things on his list. Far more suitable, age appropriate and I am sure will give him equally , if not more pleasure.
Kids!
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