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Original poster

I have upset SIL, she has accused me of calling her a bad parent (GTA related)

200 replies

40somethingwonderful · 25/12/2014 15:00

Met up at her house for Christmas and exchanged gifts, My nephew opened up a gift from "Father Christmas" and he was so excited as he got the gift he wanted Grand theft auto, My mouth was wide open and my SIL asked what was wrong, I just said isn't that an 18 rating, she said "I think so, but it is what he wanted".

Later on my nephew put the game on and I told my children to come out as it was not suitable for them, sil got all uppity and told me its Christmas and I should loosed up, I explained that while it is her decision to let her DS play it, I have the right as a mum to not allow my children to play it, she then said to her son you carry on, I don't mind, but then I must be a bad mum.

We quickly made our excuses and left shortly after.

What would you have done?

Nephew has just turned 8 and my eldest is 13.

OP posts:
Chillycamper · 25/12/2014 16:01

My 8 year old asked for Dragonage Inquisition and Pokemon omega ruby. When they arrived I noticed the Dragonage 18 rating and it's still in the box waiting to be sent back.
I told him Santa wound't give n 18 game to an 8 year old. He suggested his nearly 16 year old sib have it instead but it's going back.

TotallySociallyInept · 25/12/2014 16:01

YANBU
Ask her what she makes of Australia trying to ban the new one completely so NO one can play it.
I think with the level of violence and sexual content in, it is incredibly incompetent parenting. She is either ignorant of what in the game or a blazantly stupid parent.

arlagirl · 25/12/2014 16:02

Shocking parenting decision.
Refused to buy it for D's 15 and told him why

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 25/12/2014 16:09

That is some bad parenting. YWNBU.

EvilTendency1 · 25/12/2014 16:09
Xmas Shock

She IS a shit parent, who the hell doesn't check the ratings before giving their child a video game ?

I would have left too.

YADNBU !

StockingFullOfCoal · 25/12/2014 16:14

SIL is a twat, you are right. Not suitable at all. My 12YO DSS plays that plus COD and other games he would not be allowed to play if he were mine. Constantly arguing because I don't want him playing them when my DDs 6 & 4 are in the room.

ChasedByBees · 25/12/2014 16:18

Has she ever read or heard anything about it? I'm wondering if this comes from complete ignorance. If not, she's a shot parent and you did exactly the right thing.

BelleateSebastian · 25/12/2014 16:19

I've just googled clips of GTA 5 to see what all the fuss is about, I'm pretty laid back and mine are 7 and 11, I let them play the COD 15 rated games (I've watched them and not seen anything worse than I see on their other games)

The clip I have just seen was a bloke picking a prostitute up, shagging her in his car then getting her to give him a blow job .... he then pays her and she walks away, as she walks away he shoots he in the back and then runs over her body, reversing a few times to make sure she is dead - then he 'gets his money back'

How on earth would you explain that to an 8 year old!?

Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire · 25/12/2014 16:22

YWNBU at all, and that was a completely shit parenting decision she made. I was expecting you to say that her DS was around 12 - my mouth fell open too when I read that he was eight - that's dreadful!! Shock

What's she going to be getting him by the time he IS 12 - fags and a hooker? Hmm

NoLongerTheSeasonToBeJolly · 25/12/2014 16:22

An 8 year old? God, I thought I was a bad parent for letting my 17 year old get it. Xmas Hmm

Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire · 25/12/2014 16:23

(It would still have been a bad parenting decision even if he was 12, by the way, don't get me wrong)

TheHoneyBadger · 25/12/2014 16:30

bad parenting decision even if he was 18 Sad how fucking sad that is what is being produced for teenage entertainment full stop let alone that someone is stupid enough to give it to an 8yo child.

animated snuff - nice one mummy.

TheHoneyBadger · 25/12/2014 16:30

gawd - this was my five minute escape - think i'll go back to puss in boots lol.

princessstrop · 25/12/2014 16:34

I used to play GTA when I was 8 years old.. My older brother was given it as a Christmas gift, and I used to play it too. It certainly hasn't scarred me for life, at that age I just used to use it to drive around in the cars. The only thing I ever "noticed" was the language it in.. But turn the sound off! There's really no need to get so het up and overprotective! Xmas Hmm

Italiangreyhound · 25/12/2014 16:36

I would have done the same. You are right to want to be careful of what your children could be influenced by.

YouTheCat · 25/12/2014 16:44

It's a shit game. There are so many games out that are much better suited to an 8 year old anyway.

I have never been one for adhering to age ratings on games/dvds but I'd use my common sense and gauge what was appropriate for my own kids. GTA isn't appropriate for any 8 year old... or a 12 year old.

Trooperslane · 25/12/2014 16:46

Noooope.

I hate it when Dh plays it and leave the room.

It's ENTIRELY unsuitable for a child and with gratuitous violence and misogyny I think for adults too.

CheerfulYank · 25/12/2014 16:49

YANBU. I had to explain to a dad of DS's friend that he was not allowed to play it. DS was six and his friend was five! Xmas Shock

It's disgusting.

thatstoast · 25/12/2014 16:53

princesstrop if you used to play the earlier versions of GTA it's really not the same. It's so much more immersive now, not easily censored by turning the sound off. It's a great game but not for an 8 year old.

If the sil insisted on it being played in front of young children then the op could only leave to prevent them being exposed to it.

forago · 25/12/2014 16:54

I used to play it too in previous versions. the new one is something else entirely. I think she is incredibly thick to have bought this for her 8 year old without doing any research into it. I wouldn't let my DC watch it at someone else's house either.

iklboo · 25/12/2014 16:55

Earlier versions had Shaun Ryder (Happy Mondays) masturbating to a picture of Margaret Thatcher!

lowra · 25/12/2014 17:11

DP has GTA5 and is playing it now (DD is having a nap). I actually quite like the game but no way would I say its suitable for an 8yo. 15 or 16 maybe, dependant on the child, but certainly no younger.

hehehahahoho · 25/12/2014 17:15

It's bad parenting alright. I would have done the same thing.

GTA isn't allowed in my house even though I have adult DC.

There are loads of other good games about.

lljkk · 25/12/2014 17:21

I'm trying to imagine from SIL's perspective.

OP, how old is your youngest? I wouldn't fret about my 13yo being exposed to GTA for an hour. But if your youngest is like 8yo too, I understand why you wanted them out of the room.

gypsygirlfromlondon · 25/12/2014 17:28

Completely unsuitable and totally irresponsible parenting.

Borders on abuse really by exposing a young child to such adult themes.

I would have told the woman to her face. Keep your children away from it; GTA is only suitable for adults over 18.