Christmas present help

[SpencerH]

I need help finding a christmas present for my 13 year old daughter. She's good at math, likes to build stuff, and is unlikely to head toward medicine. So my wife and I would like to encourage her thinking toward a technical, creative profession such as engineer or architect etc. OTOH, she also likes to do computer graphics and animations etc which kinda fits her skillset.

Any thoughts about a suitable christmas present ?

[Jon Miller]

I like video games/computer stuff and books, the same as now. Possibly get her a popular book about science/mathematics/etc?

Or a graphical program?

JM

[SpencerH]

I was thinking some kinda painting/animation program but there are many out there.

[Jon Miller]

Hmm, there was some cheap one a friend of mine had. I will see if I can remember it.

JM

[SlowwHand]

http://animation.about.com/od/softwarereviews/Computer_Animation_Software_Reviews.htm

[Combat Ingrid]

There's 3d Studio Max if you don't mind spending big bucks

[Cartimandua]

I know!! Why don't you get her something that she would like? Like perhaps a gift geared towards a teenage girl? This may be way out of the ballpark, but having been a teenage girl myself, I appreciated my parents not trying to influence my career decisions, especially at the young age of 13.

On the other hand, if she has asked you for some graphic design software or (heaven forbid) a math book, then go right ahead. Otherwise you stand as getting labeled worst father on the block. And believe me, if she doesn't like it, the entire block will know by the end of the day.

I think it's great to get her some things that will introduce her to new interests she might enjoy, but don't forget to also get her some things that the typical girl would enjoy.

Age appropriate gifts include:
- A sweatshirt with the right brand name
- Jewelry, especially from Claire's or Icing
- Cute accessories (ie. scarf, mittens, hat, purse)
- A new pair of shoes (that are not ugly)
- Sudoku (you say she likes math)
- And maybe some craft kits that let her get out the creative, building side (and perhaps will sway her towards engineering without looking like you are pushing her into it)

Good Luck! It only gets worse from here.

Oh, and I really like the idea of painting/animation software. It sounds like a lot of fun

Edit: I don't mean to sound negative, I just think that it is the beginning of a difficult age, and so many parents push their children into paths that the kids hate. Just make sure you are thinking of her and what she wants, not what you would like her to become. Again, good luck!

[notyoueither]

Consider yourself told.

[Ben Kenobi]

Cartimandua says it better then I could.

Get her something fun.

[SlowwHand]

An ant farm.

[Theben]

Get her a baby poo-poo doll.

[Main_Brain]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_Builder

[Nostromo]

Listen to Cartimandua

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Cartimandua
I know!! Why don't you get her something that she would like? Like perhaps a gift geared towards a teenage girl? This may be way out of the ballpark, but having been a teenage girl myself, I appreciated my parents not trying to influence my career decisions, especially at the young age of 13.

On the other hand, if she has asked you for some graphic design software or (heaven forbid) a math book, then go right ahead. Otherwise you stand as getting labeled worst father on the block. And believe me, if she doesn't like it, the entire block will know by the end of the day.

I think it's great to get her some things that will introduce her to new interests she might enjoy, but don't forget to also get her some things that the typical girl would enjoy.

Age appropriate gifts include:
- A sweatshirt with the right brand name
- Jewelry, especially from Claire's or Icing
- Cute accessories (ie. scarf, mittens, hat, purse)
- A new pair of shoes (that are not ugly)
- Sudoku (you say she likes math)
- And maybe some craft kits that let her get out the creative, building side (and perhaps will sway her towards engineering without looking like you are pushing her into it)

Good Luck! It only gets worse from here.

Oh, and I really like the idea of painting/animation software. It sounds like a lot of fun

Edit: I don't mean to sound negative, I just think that it is the beginning of a difficult age, and so many parents push their children into paths that the kids hate. Just make sure you are thinking of her and what she wants, not what you would like her to become. Again, good luck!

Since this my youngest daughter, not my only daughter, I have a bit of experience too (as does my wife). If it was a question of buying sweatshirts etc I wouldnt have bothered asking here.

1. She's an athletic girl not a "girlie" girl so she's not interested in clothes and accessories to any great extent yet. Her sister was the same until she decided to stop playing volleyball in her junior year in order to focus on academics (which was a crushing blow to me since I think she was on the brink of showing how good she was gonna be). This is a girl who caught a scorpion in her room. She studied it for a couple of weeks before releasing it outside. Right now she has a hermit crab.
2. In any case we already buy the girls what they want (within reason) which is why I asked my question here. There's nothing obvious left to buy. She doesnt even play video games, so that easy option is also out.
She spends most of her free time online at neopets and designing websites for her friends (hence the idea for an animation program).

As for your general comments about pushing kids. We dont push our kids, but we do expose them to opportunities and career directions that we think suit their interests and abilities. Most kids, including mine, have no idea what they want to do. In my senior year in highschool (75/76) I was interested in mathematics, constitutional law, and zoology - and ended up in the army for 8 years before going to uni and becoming a cellular immunologist. My wife went to college (french studies) then floundered around until she was lucky enough to find her niche in business. My eldest was 'easy'. She has a full ride at BAMA (although she has other offers which she may still take) and is planning to go 'premed' which keeps her final career options open. OTOH, the youngest is unfocussed. School is too easy, so we try to find her fun things that will challenge her and teach her to try hard (something she hasnt had to do yet but will need in the future).

Aside from the animation software I was wondering whether there was some simple programming language/tools she could use to create stuff with. She would never bother to learn to program without an interesting endpoint though.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
http://animation.about.com/od/softwa...re_Reviews.htm

Thanks slow but I'm more interested in personal input.