To stop/dislike 3.5 year old son 'playing' computer games with daddy?

[pipkin35]

My 3.5 yr old DS has 'played' on the PS3 with dad once or twice. Now, he asks for it almost daily. OH reckons 20 mins after tea and before bed (usually 6.30-7pm and then story etc...for a 7.20pm bedtime) is OK since they 'do it together' - usually Little Big planet or a 'demo' - all 'cartoony'. Our TV works via the PS3 controller, so he is actually quite adept at pressing X to turnt hings on etc...

I hate the idea of this, I think DS watches too much TV anyway and am trying to limit this (he's not very active/outdoorsy but am meeting lots of relunctance doing other activities) but, it seems mean of me to insist he can't play it with dad, surely it's better than more 'blank' CBBC watching?!

3.5 year old had a big tantrum the other day when we switched it off, but now seems to 'get it' and is fine with it being turned off after a stated time. Seems to be his 'big treat'.

WDYT? And WWYD?

I also think OP would be mad to insert herself into the relationship between her DS and his dad. Leave them too it, and if it worries you, turn the tv off at other times.

Yes I think it does depend on personality. Some seem to take it or leave it - others want to play it exclusively. I just think there's plenty of time to get into computer games at a later age, but each to their own.

Thanks. This seems to be such a divisive issue. In my 'heart' I feel it's really 'wrong' - at this age. 5+ seems about right to me. I can understand coming home from school and wanting to veg and play or whatever. I think this doesn't help with his 'inactivity'. But he was very inactive before he'd ever tried the PS3, so it's not like this has changed that. In fact, he gets very animated.
Yesterday I was conscious about turning the TV off more. It was on for 30 mins over lunch and - its usually on during breakfast for an hour or two and then again for couple of hours in the PM. DS didn't whine for it to be turned on, but he seemed totally unable to want to do anything else. Shuffled about, sucking thumb...we did baking - his idea out of a choice - but that only took 20 mins. We didn't go out since we'd been out to the park for over an hour in the AM and DD was sleeping.
To answer a few questions - OH never has it on when DC's are awake. We've never had an adult TV programme on either.
It wouldn't take away from time he'd be doing something else since the time he plays it is when dad gets home form work 6pm for about 20 minutes - and at that time I'd rather not encourage a kick about in the garden/jumping on the sofa or whatever.
Doesn't seem to make any difference to his sleep, as in, it doesn't seem to 'stir him up'. Even helped last night, much more keen to eat his dinner...but surely that's not right?!

I don't know what I'm asking really. I don't feel I can tell if it might have 'bad' repercussions in the future on like Mossi said - that sounds scary! But we are briging up such a different generation of kids with all the technology etc..

We have a laptop but aren't currently connected to the internet. We could get it hooked up if I thought CBBC websites/programmes were any better.
I'm going to discuss it again with OH tonight. OH reads DS bedtime story every night.

I wouldn't be scared off by one horror story. I have heard of adults becoming addicted to gaming but the vast majority don't.
DD used to have a lot of telly but now she's got a little brother she only ever has half an hour a day max while he's eating in his highchair (any other time of day he goes straight for the plug and pulls it out of the wall). It's getting to be nice weather now so can't ds occupy himself outside for a while in the day? We've only got a little paved back area with some ride ons and a sand and water table but the kids will happily spend a couple of hours out there.

Mossi I've known kids like that, and I don't like it.... however, I am a gamer, and one who is more of a den builder, so I find striking the balance easy.

The games my kids play feed into our imaginative play, I can be often found on the trampoline being the Level 10 Monster the kids have to pass by hitting me with a well aimed sponge... for me and mine, it all works well together.

One little bugger who's parents haven't struck that balance won't put me off.

DH and I also have been known to play 'Balance Boat' on Wii Party of an evening after copious amounts of Pinot Grigio... I win ofc.

3 yrs old just seems so young to me. Yes, it's just one little boy. But it's so sad.

YANBU, I think that at 3 they shouldn't be playing computer games routinely. But that's my view, which I know it's not so popular on MN.