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AIBU?

To wish I had never bought the fucking xbox

283 replies

theduchessstill · 03/02/2018 08:56

I have unplugged the xbox and put it away after another morning of screaming and arguing over it. Ds2 is sobbing in my bed, DS1 is stomping about yelling he hates me and slamming doors and it's totally out of control and I don't know what to do.

They are allowed 2 hours each on the weekend days and get up at the crack of dawn to get on it. They tend to split their turns into segments and, especially in the case of ds2, the in-between bits tend to consist of him whining and checking the time, no matter what I try to interest him in etc.

After several warnings about the whining and arguing resulting in a total ban I have followed through and taken it away, so WW3 has erupted. I know I should have followed through sooner but I am constantly being told by ds1 that I have ruined his life by divorcing and that 'normal' people have far more time on their Xboxes than he does and I do kind of think it's rough on them that they don't have one at their dad's, so that's why I've been reluctant to put it away - it was a Christmas present.

So fed up of looking forward to my weekends with them just for them to erupt in a shitstorm of crying and yelling. I even bought a second telly so they could do different things at different times, but ds2, wh has always loved watching The Voice with me declared it boring this morning and went off to clock-watch. WTF do I do?

OP posts:

Report

TheCatsPaws · 03/02/2018 08:57

How old are they?

I was allowed far more time on games when I was growing up than 2 hours at the weekend. (I’m in my twenties)

snackarella · 03/02/2018 08:58

How old are they?

Canyouguess · 03/02/2018 08:58

Take them out
They need to let off steam.
Exhaust them.

Then back for a film

Cookandbook · 03/02/2018 08:58

You k ow you can set an electronic timer on the Xbox? Somehow my kids react way better to the Xbox telling them their time is up. They argue much more if I try to tell them.

TheCatsPaws · 03/02/2018 08:58

Also if it’s a Christmas present, it’s new, there’s an element of novelty. That’s why everything else seems boring by comparison.

Canyouguess · 03/02/2018 08:58

And 2 hours per day is more than enough. It’s a decent generous fair amount.

10thingsIhateAboutTheDailyMail · 03/02/2018 08:59

How,old are they? I did not get one until kids were 13 and 11, at that age it was ok

pumpersnatch · 03/02/2018 09:00

If they arent allowed to play in the week then 2 hours at the weekend is nothing. It barely justifies the cost tbh.

TheCatsPaws · 03/02/2018 09:00

Pumpersnatch that’s what I’m thinking.

Canyouguess · 03/02/2018 09:01

It’s 2 hours per day at the weekend!

RogueAnnJosh · 03/02/2018 09:01

Why not let them have one day a week when they can play a song much as they like (shared between themselves)

Say Sunday?
Then they know they’ll be able to get their fill, and that there’s no point asking to play on a Tuesday.
I game, and only having 2 hours would be very frustrating.
I also think that the more ‘taboo’ something is, the more desirable...

TheCatsPaws · 03/02/2018 09:02

That’s nothing for games though. I’m a gamer, my partner is too and that wouldn’t even get through the tutorial on some of them!

If it’s not a school night and it’s a new Xbox, and they’re not super young, I don’t get the strict 2 hour limit.

Canyouguess · 03/02/2018 09:02

I am guessing they age young by their reaction (sobbing and stomping)

If they’re not young,then their reaction in itself is sufficient reason to limit.

TheCatsPaws · 03/02/2018 09:03

They’re pribably frustrated by not being treated like everyone else with an Xbox.

TheSecondOfHerName · 03/02/2018 09:04

We've never had one, and your post is making me glad of that decision. Children are now all teenagers. Occasionally one of their friends brings round their x-box and they play something.

SavoyCabbage · 03/02/2018 09:04

How old are they?

I’m torn as I think they are probably right that most kids will get a longer time than that. If they were into Lego or oil painting you wouldn’t say you can only paint for two hours a day.

But on the other hand getting up ridiculously early and then moaning on about it and having a go at you is not an ideal way to start your weekend.

What do they do with the rest of their time?

Snowysky20009 · 03/02/2018 09:05

2 hours a week isn't a lot once they start to get into a game. My ds's play there's each evening whilst talking to all of their friends on their head sets. If they didn't they would really be left out of their group of friends.

NameChanger22 · 03/02/2018 09:05

Tell then you will sell it if there is another argument about it. Tell them there won't be any second chances. Mean what you say. When they do argue, sell it. Spend the money you make on something nice for you. It will be a good lesson.

TheCatsPaws · 03/02/2018 09:05

I PC gamed from the age of two (my dad is a gamer and we used to do it together) which I know is something that would be frowned upon here, however I was in my teens when I got an Xbox. Never was there any limit on it. I passed my exams, had friends and wasn’t dragged to become the spawn of Satan because I played a lot of games.

Some people like games.

RhiWrites · 03/02/2018 09:06

OP, I feel for you.

Could you maybe be lumping them together into a single arguing moaning unit? DS2 is definitely doing that, was DS1 contributing to this before it was taken away?

Could you enforce the time more for them so DS1 gets 8-9 and DS2 9-10 and then something similar in the evening but DS2 going first?

Snowysky20009 · 03/02/2018 09:06

Sorry 4 hours a week.

WeAllHaveWings · 03/02/2018 09:07

If they are young get them out and interested in other things.

If they are older get them one each to avoid the whining and enjoy the voice in peace!

Enforcing 2 hours each at the weekend is just making it more attractive. They should want to go out with family and friends and if they are at home, chores done, any homework/studying done, behaviour is good, then let them play.

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OnionKnight · 03/02/2018 09:07

Tell then you will sell it if there is another argument about it. Tell them there won't be any second chances. Mean what you say. When they do argue, sell it. Spend the money you make on something nice for you. It will be a good lesson.

Only do this if you're a cunt.

Two hours is nothing.

Snowysky20009 · 03/02/2018 09:08

Would you take it away if it was a board game? They are still using their imagination, skills, memory, mental ability etc it's just on a screen instead!

Chocolaterainbows · 03/02/2018 09:10

I have two boys and I could have written your opening post. My boys are not allowed to play their games unless all homework is done and all chores are done. If the weather is crappy and we're having a quiet weekend I don't mind them playing. They have an xbox one but fought constantly about taking turns and playing together causes chaos. So I bought a cheap second hand xbox 360 for £40, games are really cheap too. Now my house is blissfully quiet, until they get stuck on a game

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