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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ban iPods, iPads and ds gaming when pals come to 'play'

40 replies

Pinkspottyegg · 29/12/2013 13:57

To be honest I don't care if I'm unreasonable it's my house my rules but I need to vent.

I have been really cheesed off this last while when my kids' pals come round for a play (or worse still a sleepover) and bring an item like above when only one can play at a time. I am sick of policing this. They are now banned!

OP posts:

banana87 · 29/12/2013 22:57

Regardless of their age, YANBU. Kids are addicted to electronics these days. We have no video games in this house, and DC are restricted to TV only after 5....before then there are plenty of art and crafts, games, toys, etc that they can get on with.

mrsjay · 29/12/2013 22:58

oh ok I get you i would just limit their time on it and let them strop would let their pals have them though my dds think their arm has been cut off if i ask them to put their mobiles down sigh it is hard try taking the phones and what not off them at bedtime, OR turn the wifi off,

JackyJax · 29/12/2013 22:58

Wow I'm surprised at the responses. I have 3 boys- oldest is 8. They never have screen time when friends are over. I am so surprised you all think it is ok. We have lots of kids over all the time and there is always loads to do even in winter. Visiting kids always moan when they have to go home so they are obviously having a good time.

Original poster

Pinkspottyegg · 29/12/2013 22:58

Hooray, an ally. Banana I love you though my skin may be thicker

OP posts:

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 29/12/2013 23:03

banana the thing is times are moving forward. Electronics are toys. They are games. They don't have to be made from wood and plastic to be fun, or educational for that matter.

Original poster

Pinkspottyegg · 29/12/2013 23:04

Hooray 3 allies.

OP posts:

NoComet · 29/12/2013 23:20

I don't think it's controlling to say that 8-10 yearolds should stop staring at screens and do something else.

We live in the middle if nowhere, having friends round takes a fair bit of organisation. It doesn't happen every week.

I object to individual staring at screens and not talking to the friend I've used petrol to fetch.

Especially as stated above, when they are used to sidestep bothering to thinking of something to do. Also DD2's group were far from equally computer literate and children got left out or made to feel lost.

DCs who play SIMs, Minecraft or Mario carts to a similar level and enjoy talking about what they are doing or competing against each other just as they might play Lego or a board game I don't mind at all. (As long as they have a quick trampoline too if it's dry).

JCDenton · 29/12/2013 23:59

I used to love seeing what games my friends had that I didn't, what they'd done on games that I had and of course having a go on their games. Just because they interact in a different way doesn't mean it's bad. And yes we still climbed trees and got in trouble (a lot) for straying miles away despite this. Great memories of those holidays. I can't speak for everyone but I used to spend all day at school with friends (same age, same area) to do all our gossiping. Chances are they enjoy chilling out together in a more relaxed way.

Oblomov · 30/12/2013 10:07

You need to tackle the 'rude when you said go to granny's' bit.
When ds1 has friends round they play a lot if games, they also jump on trampoline, run around in garden with light sabres balls . and many other things they do. Eat. A lot! They all seem to have a good time.

formerbabe · 30/12/2013 10:12

I have a friend who comes over for a play date and brings her 5yo games console with her. My son has one but its under my lock and key and he only gets 10mins a day usually. Of course, when he sees his friend with his he wants his and the mum never tells him to get off it. I want my kids to play 'normally' when their friends are round with Lego/toys not sit there on their games consoles not interacting with each other.

AlaskaNebraska · 30/12/2013 10:13

Think you'll end up with no people coming to play

Sparklingbrook · 30/12/2013 10:23

Oh no. When DS2's mates come round they bring their laptops with them. They all sit in a row on the settee playing Minecraft. He's 11. They all play on the one 'world' or whatever they call it.

Or they play FIFA on multiplayer on the Playstation.

Lweji · 30/12/2013 10:28

I think it's a good idea.

I wouldn't ban for a whole weekend but would certainly limit the time, and would have no problems banning for a sleepover.

But, it depends on the games. Some can be fairly short, or allow multiplayers, so that they alternate quite frequently, and you get a bunch of kids all around the same machine.

In any case, if you have boys in, prepare for very boisterous playing.

AlaskaNebraska · 30/12/2013 10:28

the kids who are banned at home IME just go to a mates where they can play how they want to play and relax how they want to replax

Sparklingbrook · 30/12/2013 10:30

DS1 (14) plays online a lot. His friends are not local. He Skypes them too.

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