Nintendo DS - too young?? OH objecting and being tight!

seven-day-weekend

My son wouldn't even have noticed at that age that his bedroom had been decorated and even if it was pointed out to him wouldn't have cared. I think that's something their dad wants to do, not something they will want.

Dob't know about the DS or Wii debate because I don't know what either of them are.

Idiophreak

I think I must be missing something...I've used computers all my life, work in IT etc etc, but I'd have thought kids that age are *way* too young for that kinda thing.

Whether the games are suitable / educational or not, at that age gifts should be encouraging them to get outside, be active, learn stuff, use their imagination, that kinda thing...You see *way too many* kids these days walking around the place with their faces stuck in their DS, PSP, plugged into their ipod, etc etc...

I appreciate these things are all great for shutting your kids up, stopping you having to do parenting, etc - but if those are your aims as a parent, I don't really see the point in having kids in the first place...(you'll be shocked to hear I don't have kids of my own...)

As someone said above, I'm sure there's *some* value to them, if you can be strict about the amount they're used etc - but this just causes hissy fits etc when it's time to hand back the games and do some "boring" reading, painting etc instead...

I'd also question the value of a wii at this age - quite aside from my general issues with the wii, if you want to play tennis with your kids, you could buy some tennis rackets and go down the park/leisure centre and have a game...I really think anything that encourages a TV-centric life these days is to be *heavily* discouraged....

pulliptears

Idiophreak wrote: »

I think I must be missing something...I've used computers all my life, work in IT etc etc, but I'd have thought kids that age are *way* too young for that kinda thing.

Whether the games are suitable / educational or not, at that age gifts should be encouraging them to get outside, be active, learn stuff, use their imagination, that kinda thing...You see *way too many* kids these days walking around the place with their faces stuck in their DS, PSP, plugged into their ipod, etc etc...

I appreciate these things are all great for shutting your kids up, stopping you having to do parenting, etc - but if those are your aims as a parent, I don't really see the point in having kids in the first place...(you'll be shocked to hear I don't have kids of my own...)

As someone said above, I'm sure there's *some* value to them, if you can be strict about the amount they're used etc - but this just causes hissy fits etc when it's time to hand back the games and do some "boring" reading, painting etc instead...

I'd also question the value of a wii at this age - quite aside from my general issues with the wii, if you want to play tennis with your kids, you could buy some tennis rackets and go down the park/leisure centre and have a game...I really think anything that encourages a TV-centric life these days is to be *heavily* discouraged....

Its all down to good parenting. A child who knows the limits will happily hand back the game when time is up. A responsible parent can actually restrict gaming time.

As a parent I can even play with my children outdoors!!! However, I have no qualms about them playing wii tennis for half an hour either if I dont have the time to spend with them.

Its exactly your attitude that parents buy these things to "shut their kids up" which infuriates me no end. If I wanted to shut them up Id send them to Nana's for a few hours.

RoxieW

I think the kids will appreciate their bedroom doing, AS WELL AS, presents - as they've wanted bunk beds for a while and they will be thrilled to have it done out in powerrangers, ben 10 etc as at the minute they dont have anything like that, they have a car theme with car beds that they're getting abit old for. It does need doing so would have been done anyway, he just thinks - and I agree, that it'd be nice for it be unveiled xmas day after the 'elves' have been at it.
Neither of us are tight and its not about dosh. Its more about finding an alternative to buying £400 worth of plastic tat that doesnt really get played with and takes up space we dont have. My idea was the DS - his is the bedroom. I'd like to compormise and get them one to share but i cant see that working somehow!
As well as the bedroom they'll be going to center parcs and probably get 3 or 4 pressies each from us - then a mountain of stuff from other people -so I cant see them feeling disappointed or hard done by in the slightest. I wouldn't let him just do the bedroom and go 'tada kids - thats your xmas pressie done' and them have nothing to open.
I'd like to get them a ds but I dont really win these kind of arguements. MAybe when they start asking him for one he'll relent but they're not at that stage yet. They've asked because their friends have one but they're not really that bothered as they dont know what its all about.

foreversomeday

RoxieW wrote: »

My idea was the DS - his is the bedroom. I'd like to compormise and get them one to share but i cant see that working somehow!

I think the Wii, or perhaps a 2-player computer game, would be a good compromise if you want something for them to share. The DS is so small it is really for one player, though I think you can connect them to each other to share. I don't see why your OH can't keep his PS3 if you get a Wii - my OH has a PS3 and I don't see him playing that with our baby when he is older - and I wouldn't want him to! The amount of violence in the games is really not suitable for children IMO as the PS3 does seem to be aimed at adults.

My sister and I were bought a Playstation 1 when we were probably 10 and 7 after we had spent years at our neighbour's house playing on his. We loved it for rainy days etc but we still liked playing outside, painting, reading etc. I believe there is an option on the PS3 online network where for about £3 or so you can download the old PS1 games to play. Would this be an option? I know blokes can be territorial about their technology but if they were only allowed to use it with his supervision etc, or perhaps you could even get them separate controllers?

RoxieW wrote: »

They've asked because their friends have one but they're not really that bothered as they dont know what its all about.

I think this is the telling part - personally I'd leave it for this year, next year there might even be a new thing out which would mean the DS would go down in price and there are a lot of games out for it already. If you don't think they are bothered it is a lot of money to pay out IMO - I would prefer to get them something you know they really want.

KellyWelly

I don't think they are too young for a DS, my son had one for his 6th birthday that his grandparents gave him money for. I was personally against it at the time, but my husband said it was ok and I gave in to the five of them. I thought he would be on it non stop and get addicted but in reality he plays it for a little while and then goes outside or picks up something else. I did talk to him about not playing on it too long because it wasn't good to spend all day on it and he is quite sensible about it. I also do not allow him to have it during the week while he's at school at all, so he only has it on weekends and during the holidays when I monitor how long he is on it.

I would also recommend getting the games that are 3+ and not bothering with the 6+/7+ for quite some time, they are far too advanced and grown up even if they do say they are for that age.

At the end of the day it's up to the parents to make sure their children aren't sat on it like zombies all day - it's the same as the telly or computer really.

I would have thought having the room decorated would be a nice present, but they are quite young to only have that. For my daughter's 4th birthday she had her room painted and new carpet and a new bed (she was previously in a cot bed that she had outgrown). It needed doing anyway and she would have had it all but she specifically asked for new carpet and walls and a 'princess bed' (one with a canopy!) for her birthday. We also got her something small to wrap up - a Snow White dressing up from M&S that I got on ebay for about a fiver brand new and some other bits I forget now. The thing is they get so much from everyone else as well that it all gets quite obscene. I ALWAYS worry that I haven't got them enough bits when I put it under the tree on Christmas eve and my husband always sighs at me and say's "it's fine" and he's always right!

Violetta_2

Sorry Mr RoxieW actually decorating their bedroom is a nice idea if you can get it all done , I know I would just get stressed out re it getting finished in time for xmas time. Be nice to have it all lovely before the baby comes.
I misunderstood think I pictured them only getting a few bit's to unwrap.
Grandparents do get them too mutch. My mil has a strange thing where she has to spend EXACTLY the same amount on everyone , I don't know where she get's the money from, so she brings tons of stuff over for us on Xmas eve I feel awful but half of it at least will never even be looked at again. Sorry ot.

Carmina_Piranha_3

RoxieW wrote: »

he just thinks - and I agree, that it'd be nice for it be unveiled xmas day after the 'elves' have been at it.

That does sound lovely :T

So we were mean to your husband, he wants them to have a few presents too, and power rangers etc. duvet covers. It all sounds great, the only argument is whether to get a DS or not.

When are you thinking of them using it? My son just turned 9 when he got his, it was a present from the new baby (husband's idea). I'm sure husband's own enthusiasm for something that had only just been released had nothing to do with it :rotfl:

My son uses his in the car (it doesn't make him sick, but it does me), plane journeys, waiting rooms at hospital etc. where you can't really talk and you'd need more than one book but can't fit them into your pocket. We know too many children who are glued to theirs at the expense of other activities, and we don't want that so we limit the use of the DS.

The thing is, you mention DS and everybody instantly thinks of the kid they know who grunts and doesn't ever raise their eyes from the DS, whose grandparents have stopped trying to talk to them because they get no response, whose parents have to say everything more than once because they are ignored by the DS-glued kids.

Lots more kids have a DS and use it in moderation, or like my son they just forget to charge it so it's never ready when they want to take it out with them :rotfl:

I don't really use a DS so I don't know how 4-year-old friendly it can be. My boy is 12, and the 3 year old isn't interested. Has your husband looked into it, what's available for what age group?

At the age of 4 my son was having a whale of a time playing supermario on my old nintendo machine. I limited his time on it though. I know lots of other parents were shocked that I let him play it.

Carmina_Piranha_3

RoxieW wrote: »

The trouble is I think our oldest would definately get on fine with it - whereas the youngest may not. But with them you cant buy one without the other.

why not?

anyway, maybe you could discuss getting the eldest a DS for his 7th birthday? if it's a birthday then the youngest won't expect to be given the same gift (I don't know if you give them a gift on each other's birthdays). Youngest could be told that when he is 7 he can have one if it's what he wants.

mrcow

Idiophreak wrote: »

Whether the games are suitable / educational or not, at that age gifts should be encouraging them to get outside, be active, learn stuff, use their imagination, that kinda thing...You see *way too many* kids these days walking around the place with their faces stuck in their DS, PSP, plugged into their ipod, etc etc...

I appreciate these things are all great for shutting your kids up, stopping you having to do parenting, etc - but if those are your aims as a parent, I don't really see the point in having kids in the first place...(you'll be shocked to hear I don't have kids of my own...)

What's the difference between playing a computer game and playing a non virtual game? Would you be able to understand a 6 year old that wanted to play "Ker-Plunk" or a card game? What wold the difference be in your mind.

If I want to "shut my children up" they go to their rooms to play with their toys or I tell them to go and get books out. The computer definitely creates more noise than anything else as the children get so excited when playing it. There are some really fun games out there aimed at their age range.

Not everything has to be obviously educational to be worthwhile as a past time....sheesh.....you'll be confiscating their copies of The Beano next! :rolleyes: