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Angry Birds, Tablets & Kindle

My 4 year old son is obsessed with Angry Birds.  Last Christmas, my husband bought me a tablet PC.  Soon after, my son started playing with it.  At first I was showing him all of the educational apps I could find, but he watched me download and started downloading things himself.  I had to take my card number off of Google Play because he started buying games as well (yes, he's four!).  Somehow, he discovered Angry Birds and he's become obsessed with it!
He has an Angry Birds lunch box and wants the toys for Christmas.  Last week, was the much anticipated release of Angry Birds Star Wars.  He couldn't wait to get home from school to download it.  I'm not sure if I should be proud of his skill level or ashamed.  I never wanted to be the kind of parent that lets their four year old become obsessed with computer games, but he goes to school full time now and when he gets home, I just want to let him relax and have fun in any way he chooses.  School is hard work.  He's excelling, so as far as I can tell, there's no harm in letting him play.
The downside is the tablet is no longer mine.  It's filled with so much crap that my son has downloaded, I really have no use for it.  It's the most expensive toy we ever thought we'd buy!  I have requested a new smaller and lighter tablet this year that I can use as a book reader as well.  The thing is, I'm not sure there's a need for a tablet.  I find they have too many limitations and get frustrated by what I can't do on them and always go for my laptop instead.
I keep wondering if I should just get a Kindle instead of a tablet, but I love books and am hesitant to move to an e-reader.  I love to hold a book and turn the pages.  I love the smell of a bookstore.  I love books, but I'm also a bit of a techie geek and am torn between the two. The only thing I use Kindle for now is with books that are too large to hold and cause pain (due to my arthritis), but I have to admit that there are an awful lot of books that cost a hell of a lot less on Kindle than in book form.  Sometimes there's such a huge difference in price, it almost hurts to order the book.  It's the way forward.  I know that, but I'm still not convinced it's something I should do.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Happened to come across your blog when googling "hesitant to switch to an e-reader." It definitely pains me to spend more than double on actual books, but e-reading doesn't compare to holding the real thing while curled up on the couch on a cold, rainy day. Hopefully there are more of us out there to keep the "book" tradition alive!
4:50 AM
Erren said…
Thanks for the comment. I agree that an ebook just isn't the same. I love book stores and it would break my heart if they started shutting down.
9:53 AM
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