My elementary school age kids are active, love to read books, just play in the backyard, do art stuff, bikes, toys, watch TV.
Almost all their friends have the latest video games(incl WII..), my kids know of these, have played with them at playdates, but have never asked for them.
My husband and I are tempted to buy these when we see them at a good price or just plain "hey here's a hard to find game system, so let's buy it".
Our friends tell us how hard it is to keep kids away from them, and that if our kids are happy with books, toys, backyard play,then enjoy it till it lasts.
There's Xmas, and some birthdays coming up. We'd like to buy the WII. All kids but ours seem to have in our/their circle of friends.
Would you buy video games for your kid ? or wait till they ask and ask ? is it really hard to restrict how long they play?
our kids are reasonably well-behaved and very good at school.
2007-09-08 10:29:33 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Would appreciate all responses, but am specifically looking for a response on "buying a video game BEFORE kids pester you". Not, general parenting advice about too many toys, over indulging kids, spend time not money...etc.
2007-09-08 10:30:59 · update #1
Should have used the term 'kids ASK for a game' rather than 'pester'. :-)
2007-09-08 13:09:52 · update #2
I have video games for my kids, particularly my son who has asperger's. I thought that it would help him socially.
It helped somewhat because he could talk to other kids about playing the game.
We researched really carefully what we wanted to buy. We wanted to buy something rated E for everyone.
That's why we went with Nintendo, Game Cube; they are the only ones that carry Mario. They also have a Dance Dance Revolution featuring Mario; that's great in the winter or on rainy days.
Do your homework and set your limits carefully. They can only play it on the weekends or if by chance a friend wants to come over during the week. Once a week, IF all their homework is done.
I'm not really against it but I'm not sure I'd recommend it either. Do your homework and make decisions about your time restraints beforehand.
And ask around to other parents.
2007-09-08 11:05:47 · answer #1 · answered by autimom 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If your kids have played with them on playdates but haven't asked for them, it's just not important to them right now. It might be important to them in a few years, and then the gift will be very well received! I agree with the "enjoy it while it lasts" advice. You don't really have to wait until they ask, but do at least wait until they show lots of interest, especially for something like video games that may ultimately cause friction in terms of limit setting and have a negative impact on how long your kids are outside, etc.
2007-09-09 06:23:37 · answer #2 · answered by ... 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would buy it for them! It's really a nice thing to do!
I would just like to suggest my opinion, Wii will probably be extinct soon........ I would get a PS2 or a 360 .......
But the Wii is awesome, don't get me wrong. I just think it'll end up like the Nintendo 64, Gamecube, SP, etc
But in terms of you buying it for them, I would go for it! They're going to pester you later on, right! :) But yeah, when I was younger I would love for my mother to buy me stuff as a sort of suprise, it made my day, to be honest. And getting a Wii for them, oh man, that'd be great! You say they do great in school and have no behavioral problems, so I think it won't be a problem!
So yes, I would!
Good luck! ;D
2007-09-08 12:51:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know EXACTLY how you are feeling and it drove me crazy too. Heres what we did to keep peace in our home. We made an agreement as to how long he would play during any given day. We also talked about proper times to play. Examples being not during dinner time, or at night when your in bed together. Give him a few hours (like 2 or 3) to play during the day. Also take one day a week when the game is NOT played at all and deem that family day. I hope this helps.
2016-05-19 22:01:39 · answer #4 · answered by sandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you spend money on something a kid doesn't need or want? If, some day, your children ask for a game system, they'll be on sale then.
Pardon me for saying this, but it seems to me that you're more concerned with keeping up with the Joneses than you are about what your children want.
2007-09-09 08:40:20 · answer #5 · answered by sukatx 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it would be OK to get them one for Christmas or Birthday. It is up to the parent on how much time they spend playing it. You just set limits. In our family we believe everything in moderation or in balance. That is how we live our lives. So our son just don't play video games, he also does everything else!
2007-09-09 06:03:52 · answer #6 · answered by Dance 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it will be OK the we is an active game and your kids will get the exercises. Or the ds has very good mind games. so i would but only as a reward system. Christmas time is the best time. I will get it before they ask . but i will only by my kids the rated E games only.
2007-09-08 10:58:03 · answer #7 · answered by bunnyrabbit_78219 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't see the need of having game systems if the children are not that interested I would encourage playing outdoors and reading rather than vegetating.
2007-09-08 11:53:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would wait until they ask. And yes, many kids get addicted to the electronic games. You will have to limit their play time on them when (or if) they do ask.
2007-09-08 11:49:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like you've done a good job in teaching your children to entertain themselves. I woulden't bother buying them video games. It would only take time away from their other activities. They can be addicting and in my generation we certainly didn't need electronic games to keep us busy.
2007-09-08 12:05:00 · answer #10 · answered by mysteryperson 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋