iPads For Christmas?

I’ve been having this great debate about ordering iPads for the boys for Christmas.  Granted, the debate is only with myself and is only taking place in my head, but it is still a great debate.  It seems a tiny bit ridiculous that I should be contemplating such an expensive gift for 4 & ½ year olds, ridiculous on many levels.  After all, what will they expect when they are 16?  Knowing their mother, they will probably very rationally explain and justify why they need a Mercedes Benz!

Keep in mind, they have not asked for an iPad, nor do they even really know what one is.  They do love the computer and are constantly stealing my iPhone to play games and look at pictures and take pictures (and sometimes inadvertently attempt to call China).  I watched this piece from 60 Minutes that aired last Sunday and I am now even more convinced that they should have one.  I am also half tempted to just order one for me right now and ask for forgiveness from my husband later.  The stuff that you can do with this thing is just utterly amazing.  Let’s not forget these boys are also growing up in an era of technology.  They will never know the world pre- iPhone, ATM machine, MP3 or Facebook.

I struggle with the sheer over-indulgence of it, the idea of something so expensive in the hands of a pre-schooler.  I hear my mother’s voice in the back of my head, telling me about all the poor souls who have none and how very lucky I am.  I hear the boys asking me for Rescue Heroes and Matchbox cars and Dagedar thingies (have no idea the utility of that toy).  Should I really get them an iPad?

Part of me wonders if they will be disadvantaged by not having one early on, which is also a little extreme.  Perhaps it is more along the lines of the complete advantage they will have by getting one so early in life (I’m thinking doctors, lawyers, president).  In the end, they will most likely get one because I want one and then they won’t be touching mine.  They will also get one because it is a therapy tool for Will and if I get one for him, I have to get one for James (that’s how it works in a twin household).  I’m hoping the coolness of it far outweighs the fact that they won’t get much else.  “You’ll thank me later?” I’ll tell them.  Ugh – now I really hear my mom’s voice in my head!