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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not let the dcs play computer games

15 replies

TheOneWithTheHair · 22/01/2013 19:14

when they have friends round to play?

Dd (9) and ds2 (4) both had a friend to play after school. Ds2 wanted to play Lego Star Wars but I said no because his friend had come to play with him, not play a computer game.

Both of my dcs had a very small winge that was over in 30 seconds and they all played happily until they went home.

It got me wondering though. It's my first AIBU thread so be kind. What do you think?

OP posts:

chandellina · 22/01/2013 19:19

Yanbu. I wasn't happy to find out my four year old played computer games at a friend's, I wish the parent had said no.

BertieBotts · 22/01/2013 19:22

I don't let DS (4) play computer games if we have people over, no.

Older children - if it's a multi-player game then I don't see a problem with it really. The younger they are the more I'd probably try and manage them but older DC can do what they want really can't they?

Mind you I used to love playing The Sims at my friends' houses because our computer couldn't run it

Kafri · 22/01/2013 19:23

Not sure I'd class it as unreasonable but can't say I see the harm in them playing a bit. A lot of the games of the games have different things to do in two player mode which he wouldn't get to do in 1 player. I can understand you not wanting them to play the whole time but what harm would a short time do.
I used to play computer games with my friends (albeit years ago on a sega master system-oh the memories) and it didn't do me any harm. We also had plenty of fun playing other games-inside and out.

On the other hand, I don't think you've scarred them for life by saying no :-)

chewingguminmyhair · 22/01/2013 19:27

YABU. That's what the 2 player option is for.

Original poster

TheOneWithTheHair · 22/01/2013 19:28

Well they do play together and with dh and me on a fairly regular basis so they're not missing out. I'm not convinced one way or the other so I'm happy to be persuaded. :)

OP posts:

Joiningthegang · 22/01/2013 20:26

What about wii dance? Does that count? Is that good or bad?

BertieBotts · 22/01/2013 20:28

I think it's fun for kids to play the console with their friends. Just not necessary at 4 IMO.

Original poster

TheOneWithTheHair · 22/01/2013 20:40

My thinking is that they only usually ask to play on it if they're bored. If they have friends round they shouldn't be bored.

OP posts:

Startail · 22/01/2013 20:54

I very much play this one by ear. If they are playing a two player game and both are clearly enjoying it or they are both talking about and contributing to SIMs or Spore fine.

If they are taking long individual turns, fighting, looking bored or playing on separate screens and not playing a joint game that is not fine.

Friends come to play, not to be treated like your siblings.

MollyMurphy · 22/01/2013 20:56

Good on you OP. I wish more parents limited computer game time - especially when there is a human over to play with. Computer games have a place in moderation but its also really important for kids to interact sans technology - get outside, use their imagination etc. So YANBU IMO.

borisjohnsonshair · 22/01/2013 20:58

My DS is 10 and he sometimes has friends over JUST to play computer games. They play "minecraft" which involves lots of building and planning, so to my mind it's a lot like playing Lego. They're playing together, rather than against one another so I'm more than happy with that. I think it depends very much on what they're playing and if they're both happy to do it.

Yfronts · 22/01/2013 23:23

I think I'd only let them play games if the guest had been with us for hours and it really was time for a change. We wouldn't allow screen time with normal length play dates.

Startail · 23/01/2013 00:49

DVDs except at sleepovers used to make me mad.

Used go for coffee and a play with two DFs and their DDs.

The DDs were a bit inclined to, threes a crowd, arguing, nothing major.

But are host, perhaps because her DD was an only child, couldn't let them be and stuck on a DVD.

SomeKindOfDeliciousBiscuit · 23/01/2013 00:51

YABU, I think, but we're a very pro-computer household. We can't wait for toddler DD to take an interest in games. She likes wii fit but nothing else so far, it's all iPad for her.
(Naturally we wouldn't let her play for too long; there'll be a daily cap on screen time in years to come, I'm sure.)

ihearsounds · 23/01/2013 00:59

Sometimes their mates come to play with actual lego. Sometimes, they come and they do arty stuff. Sometimes watch a movie. Sometimes read books. Other times play a board game. Other times, play computer games.

Then there's taking them to the park, which reading some of the replies, I shall have to stop this year because they play with bits of park equipment, not necessarily together, one might be on the climbing frame, and the other playing football. Not all the play days have involved using their imagination either.

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