I want to use my icloud email address as a new apple ID. It was an additional email contact address I originally set up for my child. But now, I'd like to set her up on Family Sharing, using that email as her ID. Obviously, when I try to use it wh

Question

I want to use one of my icloud email addresses as a new apple ID.  It was an additional email contact address I originally set up for my child.  But now, I'd like to set her up on Family Sharing, using that email as her ID.  Obviously, when I try to use it when setting up a new apple ID, it says the email is already being used (Yes, by ME) and I need to select a different one.  Can I somehow delete that email address in order to set up a new apple ID using it?  Or is there another way to "re-use" that address for my child's new ID?

Answer 1

"Well, then I want to be able to merge that one and the one my purchases are on..."
This is exactly what I want to do but don't think I can:
I noticed the following :
If you attempt to create an Apple ID which is the same as your @icloud email address from the online facility, it does not allow you (can't use an Apple associated email address as your Apple ID). However - if you start a fresh device - such as a new iPhone, iPad (must be mobile it seems), and then create an iCloud account and Apple ID from the prompts when setting up the mobile device, it IS possible to have your Apple ID and @iCloud email address as the same. I know because I just did it!
Unfortunately for me, the result I got above is not for one of my own ID's but a friends, and I would VERY much like to do the same - my current Apple ID is a completely different email address from my iCloud account. Trying to get them the same in my situation is a major bother - I think that if I wipe a device (such as an iPhone5 that is mine) and try to setup as I did my friend's device, then I will get a conflict because the iCloud email I have ALREADY exists. This is my worry and I will not attempt this until I get the new iPad 4 soon to test this.
There is an inconsistency here between the two methods of creating Apple ID's and iCloud accounts.
Overall in my opinion, the Apple ID system as currently available from Apple is not designed very well, and should be addressed.
Best wishes -