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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Buying a PlayStation for a 5 year old?

74 replies

SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 18:33

A friend of mine is a single parent to a boy of 4. She has recently got a full-time job.

Went to hers for a coffee and I was asking her about her new job and she was saying how happy she is because now her DS is getting older he is getting much more aware of presents etc (compared to say a 3 year who wouldn't notice what the heck you bought them for their Birthday/Christmas) - and wants a PlayStation for his 5th birthday.

I was just a little bit like ... "oh, yeah I see what you mean". I have a DD who is only 18mo so unsure of what it is like to have older children, but is it normal to buy a child that young a PlayStation?

Maybe a Wii as it is more family friendly and has children's games. Perhaps the PlayStation does too, but I have no idea.

I'm not judging her, I'm genuinely interested in whether people do or would buy a PlayStation for a child that young? As I am clueless.

OP posts:
McNewPants2013 · 02/04/2013 21:43

There is quite a few games, just off the top of my head, little big planet, planet 51, Gforce, skylanders, sonic( there is a few) and I am sure there are alot more but those are the game my 7 year old plays on

KansasCityOctopus · 02/04/2013 21:45

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StuntGirl · 02/04/2013 21:45

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KansasCityOctopus · 02/04/2013 21:47

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

McNewPants2013 · 02/04/2013 21:50

In my sons school they do have an Xbox 360. I have seen it myself when I sat in one of his computer lessons.

PatriciaHolm · 02/04/2013 21:50

You are being very disingenous, OP. If you thought it was fine, you wouldn't have bothered to post. If you were genuinely curious if you could get games for a 5 yr old, a quick look on Amazon would solve that. You clearly don't approve but want others to say it first!

StuntGirl · 02/04/2013 21:50

Exactly kansas. She was nice enough to further question to try and find out the OPs motives so she could better answer the question. Me? I couldn't give a shit about the OPs motives, I think she sounds like a judgey pants busybody.

Or did you start this thread in the hopes worra would answer and you could get your mard on?

Altinkum · 02/04/2013 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 21:57

You are being very disingenous, OP.

No I'm not, I don't have older children and the only knowledge I have of a PlayStation is an ex who used to play COD.

Or I have seen Happy Wheels before and that can be a little gruesome too - so you can never tell by a name.

I asked because like I said I don't have children that age and wondered if it was a common thing to buy for children at that age. All I have ever seen children at that age playing on a wii or a DS.

How does that make me disingenuous? - That's right it doesn't

But because I dared to question Worra the pouncers are out in force.

OP posts:
Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 21:58

Stop being a twunt!!

Because saying that makes you sound extremely mature right?

OP posts:
StuntGirl · 02/04/2013 21:59

But why do you care what your friend buys her children? Do you question all her other purchases too?

Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 22:01

I couldn't give a shit about the OPs motives, I think she sounds like a judgey pants busybody.

A judgey pants busybody ... right because a friend told me something in a conversation, and it made me wonder if children had PlayStations at that age.

Right .... if that makes me a "judget pants busybody" then erm ... ok.

To be honest it sounds like you are the one with a "mard on".

OP posts:
aldiwhore · 02/04/2013 22:02

Worra is direct not rude. (I shall not kiss arse any more than that)

SmilingCroc you're very defensive, this IS AIBU... and for what it's worth:

YANBU to wonder whether, for you and your family life a PS3/4 is a suitable gift for a child, or whether it's perhaps better as a family console.

YABU to post your inncoent query on AIBU, because the subtext could be said to be rather judgey, like you hoped everyone would be up in arms at this other mother, and if that wasn't your intention your perhaps over egging of the innocent pudding seemed a little odd, or at best, off?

YANBU to buy whatever you wish for your child.
YABU to write a post on AIBU which basically compares two consoles when a quick GOOGLE would have told you all you need to know, without judgement or fear of people questioning your motives.

YABVU to see it as a question of either/or. In our lounge we have a PS3 and a Wii... there's great games on both for younger child, in fact, we spent all day today playing Start The Party together and my 5 year old won, (Not a stealth boast, really, just in case some fruit bat thinks that's a boast!) we're now contemplating shooting Zombies in the head on the Wii now the children are asleep (it's theraputic, and actually op I suspect you will considerably increase my personal best score tonight).

And again, worra did nothing wrong other than being worra so therefore YABU. Once more.

YANBU to think you are clueless. [bunsmile]

Aspiemum2 · 02/04/2013 22:02

Some do, some don't

Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 22:03

But why do you care what your friend buys her children? Do you question all her other purchases too?

Yes I question every single purchase she makes.

When I am at her house I check her fridge and then I will sneak into her bathroom and check her medicine cabinet.

I also make sure she rings me every single time she decides to buy something - whether it be a pair of jeans or some milk and then I will have a think and let her know if it is ok with me.

I also check all the receipts too.

Some might call that controlling, I call it being a good friend Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 22:06

I shall not kiss arse any more than that

Kiss away, it's always quite funny to see it.

we're now contemplating shooting Zombies in the head on the Wii now the children are asleep (it's theraputic, and actually op I suspect you will considerably increase my personal best score tonight)

Gosh never realised that a couple of comments I made on a forum would give you such venom and anger that you would take it into the real world.

Wow .... you really shouldn't let things bother you so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 22:07

Some do, some don't

Haha, that was helpful actually.

I guess it is just one of those thing.

OP posts:
McNewPants2013 · 02/04/2013 22:09

Op, so if anyone said Yanbu a 5 year old shouldn't have a playstation how would you view your friend.

What will this thread achieve.

BertieBotts · 02/04/2013 22:10

Depends if it's a PS1, PS2, PS3. A PS3 I wouldn't buy specifically for a 5 year old no way. Although DS is allowed to play on the family PS3 sometimes - he's 4. He plays things like Eyepet which is a virtual pet which reacts to a camera, and the original Sonic games which were a download. All things in moderation.

Then again he did suggest very hopefully that he was getting an iPad for Christmas. I laughed - DP said I was mean!

BertieBotts · 02/04/2013 22:11

Oh - was going to say if it's a PS1/2 then that's different as they are very cheap now and the games are cheap too. You can get child friendly games on all consoles, though.

aldiwhore · 02/04/2013 22:17

Haha, it's not venom and anger you silly billy... it's point scoring with accuracy.

Honestly not angry at all, and no venom that I know of.

I could understand your upset if you were a zombie though, so apologies.

Also, zombies do not exist in the real world, so I'm just taking the feeling of MEH from one console to another, simply to improve my score. I AM NOT THREATENING TO SHOOT YOU!!! (In caps so you really don't panic).

Perhaps the www isn't for you?

WishIdbeenatigermum · 02/04/2013 22:19

I'll bite, op.
A NT 5 yo shouldn't have a play station. Of there are no extenuating circumstances- big siblings, need to play silently in a small space, 6 week convelescence after spinal surgery, whatever and she's choosing to go out and buy something he's not even expressed an interest in, she's an idiot.
I'd distance myself tbh. My teenage dcs have only a wii, not just because I have a will of iron [buwink] but also because most of their peers don't have consol games n

Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 22:21

Op, so if anyone said Yanbu a 5 year old shouldn't have a playstation how would you view your friend

I never said it was unreasonable for a 5 year old to have a PlayStation though.

I personally think that is a very young age to have one, but then I don't have a 5 year old so it doesn't matter what I think.

My friend is a good mum, and I have and probably always will view her as that.

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 02/04/2013 22:23

I don't see anything wrong with a 5 year old having a play station.

Original poster
SmilingCrocodile · 02/04/2013 22:24

Perhaps the www isn't for you?

I'm not the angry one though Smile

Enjoy shooting zombies, hope all your built up anger from my comments (not even directed at you) helps you with your point scoring.

OP posts: