Re: OT- ATV

[Guest guest]

Steve wrote:

> Sorry to go so off topic, but I have two questions about social rules and I'd

appreciate as many responses as possible. #1 is it crazy to buy an ATV for a

three year old? #2 is it socially acceptable to purchase an ATV for any child/

minor(anyone under 18) without consulting their parents?

------

By my way of thinking, no you aren't wrong. Good grief, If I had money

to buy an ATV for any of the grandkids, it would go to the ones who

have drivers licenses without any fines against them. A three year old

might - MIGHT get one of the cute little pink Barbie battery powered

things (which she probably would have liked more than the ATV).

Did they insure her life or something? Sorry, but I am beyond

horrified here. Since son number 4's inlaws do much the same thing -

buys expensive Christmas or birthday presents which are not allowed to

be removed from their place, obviously with the carrot-dangling in

front of the kid ploy - you want to play with YOUR toy, you have to

come here.

One thing I'd look into would be the laws and kids her age driving

ATV's, even off-road ones. She may be too young to even ride on one

driven by an adult. It also may constitute child endangerment for her

to ride on one either as passenger or driver.

Not that you'd actually turn them in to the authorities for it. I

would, but you wouldn't. (because you'd catch a lot of grief over it)

Maybe a neighbor who is shocked and horrified at the vision of a

toddler tooling around on one of those things would call. Not

honestly joking around, either.

IMO you are right about being upset over the purchase. When our kids

haven't been able to get Christmas for any of our grandkids due to

loss of job or other reason (like Uncle Sam really doesn't pay low

grade military much), we give the parents money to buy the presents

and give the grandkids a smaller gift.

Grandparents (or non-custodial parents) shouldn't play this sort of

game. I've had grandkids tell us before that we aren't the " Good "

grandparents because we don't give them expensive presents. So we're

the " Bad " grandparents and I could care less.

Jeanne B in GA

[Guest guest]

Jeanne B.

I'd like to start off by thanking you for your response. It really did make

me feel better.

My mother's boyfriend has a pretty big yard for her to ride in, but it is

not fenced in and there is an incline.

I think that I am bothered most by the fact that I know it was bought to

manipulate her. It was an attempt to get her to spend more time there and

an attempt to buy her off. I must say that I am SO proud of my daughter for

not letting them buy her off (her favorite presents were all well under

fifty dollars).

My daughter is extremely mature and responsible for her age (not to mention

incredibly smart, she uses bigger words than her 14 year old cousin and has

since before she turned two). She listens, most of the time, but she can be

stubborn too.

The ATV is gasoline powered, but it isn't full [adult] sized. Oh, and it's

bright pink, because it's for a girl, what other color could it be?

Steve M in PA, age 22

Married with 3 year old daughter

[Guest guest]

I am positive you're right about them buying it to manipulate her.

Kudos to her for making better choices than the " adults " .

I bet she'd like a playhouse made out of a big box a stove came in

more than the ATV. Maybe you could make one together with her -

markers make great designs and she could do all the decorative bits.

Even a playhouse made of the kitchen table and blanket will be fun for

a child that age. (And it can't crash.) Knowing how mine were at that

age, she'd probably like it more than the ATV. (On a sneaky granny

note - you can't send the box house or kitchen table fort with her to

grandmother's house.)

You hang in there. Jeanne B in GA

.. wrote:

> Jeanne B.

>> I think that I am bothered most by the fact that I know it was bought to

> manipulate her. It was an attempt to get her to spend more time there and

> an attempt to buy her off. I must say that I am SO proud of my daughter for

> not letting them buy her off (her favorite presents were all well under

> fifty dollars).

[Guest guest]

Steve wrote:

> Sorry to go so off topic, but I have two questions about social rules and I'd

appreciate as many responses as possible. #1 is it crazy to buy an ATV for a

three year old? #2 is it socially acceptable to purchase an ATV for any child/

minor(anyone under 18) without consulting their parents?

Hi Steve

Where I come from (northern Saskatchewan) it is not at all uncommon for

relatives to buy pint sized ATVs for their own kids, grand kids,

nephews, nieces, etc. They're usually bought by people who have lots of

land and and have adult ATVs already and plan to go with the little

one's on toodles around the farm, island, or lake shore.

The pint sized ATVs of course, stay where the land is. Makes sense.

However, unless it was an oversight, forgetting the helmet, would

concern me. Rather than make a fuss, why not pick up a helmut before

your next trip to visit and make sure a safe adult is with her. Save

lots of hard feelings all the 'way 'round.

Back in the olden days,(when we used to take our covered wagons to the

A & W), there were very early prototypes of snowmobiles for little people.

They weren't very safe and kids couldn't be trusted with them alone,

but with an adult with them (didn't matter who the adult was) we had a

wonderful time.

Unsupervised children have many serious and often fatal wrecks with

ATVs, especially ones that are two big for them. But " riding like the

wind " at three to five miles an hour, under adult supervision, can bring

a little one some wonderful memories to carry into adult hood.

Sober supervision, trails the adults have travelled on their land many

times, proper equipment, and going putt-putt speed can make for a very

happy afternoon for adult and child alike.

My son's in-laws picked up a little purple ATV for my grandsons. (2,4,

and 6). All family members sensibly ride ATVs as they use them for farm

work. he 4 and 6 year old are very thrilled with being able to go out

with Grandma, Grandpa, Mum, Dad, and their uncle.

There are three rules: all adults have to be responsible (sober, know

the trail, and make sure the kids' hands, feet, and heads have

appropriate attires). They can't go more than half a mile from the

house. If a child misbehaves in anyway, the ride is over immediately.

Hope that helps.

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

((((((((((((Steve))))))))) I would never put a 3 year old on an ATV! Obviously

a 3 yr old can not drive it safely and would require an adult to ride also. My

other concern would be that 3 year old are not going to sit still. If your

child is fidgeting and fall off, they could be seriously injured or killed.

I think it was too inappropriate not to ask you and your wife before buying such

a gift! since your child is a minor and as parents you are guradians, you can

sell the ATV. If the giver gets their feelings hurt by that, too bad! They may

think twice the next time before getting such an inappropraite and dangerous

gift for a young child. Would they buy your child a real gun???? Ask them that

and hopefully they will understand.

Let us know how you make out. Hugs, Tami

--- " M. " wrote:

>

> Sorry to go so off topic, but I have two questions about social rules and

> I'd appreciate as many responses as possible.

>

> #1 is it crazy to buy an ATV for a three year old? (my mother and her

> boyfriend bought an ATV for my daughter for her to ride there even though

> she never goes there, which I assume is what they're trying to change, but

> they didn't get her a helmet)

>