My iPad won't link to my 10.6.8 MacBook Pro!

My iPad just reminded me that there is a newer version of software so I upgraded. Now when I connect to my 10.6.8 MacBook Pro, it says I need to upgrade my laptop version of iTunes. This is the message I get on my laptop! "The iPad “Robert Todd's iPad Mini” cannot be used because it requires a newer version of iTunes. Go to www.itunes.com to download the latest version of iTunes" The problem is the new version of iTunes can only be used on a laptop with 10.8 or higher. I don't want 10.8 on my laptop because I use Appleworks and a few other programs a lot and they won't run on 10.8 or higher. What to do?