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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Christmas... sorry it's so early...aibu to get my 4 yr old a gaming console for Christmas? 😬

111 replies

Sushi123 · 05/08/2019 23:41

That's pretty much it really...was thinking of Nintendo switch, or preferably something cheaper if anyone has any suggestions...I know pretty much zero about gaming etc

OP posts:
selly24 · 06/08/2019 07:42

Please don’t buy it for a 4 yr old!
( Do you secretly want it for yourself?? - if so go ahead but be prepared to hide it!!😂)

BearRabbitPants · 06/08/2019 07:43

Apologies for the multiple posts!

Morgan12 · 06/08/2019 07:47

I wouldn't. I did. And regret it.

My DS is 6 and he is addicted to the ps4. Actually addicted.

I have to fight to get him outside now.

Don't get me wrong, he is a brilliant gamer and I think this will definitely be his thing. But he started too young.

stayathomer · 06/08/2019 08:03

You'll never get a sensible reply from those who sniff at games consoles though (but tablets are ok)if you want to get one then get one, they aren't the devil incarnate.

Gamerchick This isn't about people being precious, it's about introducing something that, unless policed extremely well, takes some of the imagination and kidishness ( I know this isn't a wordWink), from someone who has only just started yo be independent. Our youngest is 4 and when the kids turn on the Xbox he sounds like a teenager talking about goes etc. Play time with toys and reading time and art has become a million times more important, I'd rather him talk about different animals and places and sports and colours than glitching and levels and noobs!! In fact with all of them parenting requures ten times more work and getting them out of the house. A four year old doesn't need to be introduced to that

isthatapugunicorn · 06/08/2019 08:07

Don’t do it. Hold off as long as you can - 9/10 and then get the more family friendly Switch.
Your 4 year old needs books for Christmas and art stuff and games like Dobble or junior monopoly or Operation and a football or a tennis racket or new swimming stuff NOT another reason to look at a screen.

Crochetymum · 06/08/2019 08:07

Worst thing I ever did was buy electronics for my kids, I've hated each console individually. iPad/tablet/laptop/Xbox/PS4/phone. iPad at 6 for my son, I think that's when he stopped "playing" with toys. They're good for some things but you'll find yourself battling over it, and at 4 I don't think it's not mature enough to deal with coming off it, if that makes sense, even at 11 I have to tell my son a few times or tell him he's getting over involved in it. They get totally carried away with them. For the price of a Nintendo switch or whatever you could get loads of real toys, Lego!! God I miss Lego. Cars, crafty stuff,.scooter, bike, go kart. You could get all that with change for the price of a switch, and under your tree would be full.
Still maybe too young but a Nintendo ds, even pre-owned might be good, but it always leads to something else 😁

Chocolatedaim · 06/08/2019 08:09

No get him pop up pirate and guess who instead!

jaseyraex · 06/08/2019 08:09

Do you or your partner game? I wouldn't get a console specifically for a 4 year old. That's too young and a waste of money imo. We have a switch and an xbox but they were bought for ourselves, not the kids. My 4 year old plays on the switch occasionally, probably once a week, but we play it together as a family. He never plays alone. Theres a paw patrol game that he enjoys and sometimes he gets to play that but I still make sure I'm beside him chatting to him about the game and helping when necessary. We play Mario kart together and he loves that.

floppybit · 06/08/2019 08:11

Mine didn't get a console until he was 8. So glad I waited as those console free years are precious.

Elllicam · 06/08/2019 08:18

We got a switch for our 6 and 5 year old at Easter and they have literally played it less than 10 times. Such a waste.

Absoluteunit · 06/08/2019 08:22

My first thought was too young but I'm questioning myself.

I'm not being goady but genuine question: why do we get worked up about consoles but not about tablets? We haven't got a console so don't know much about them (DD is only 5). I see lots of very young children with tablets. My DD has one but she's not very interested so obviously I suppose I don't see the addictive side of it. Are they ok in small doses?

LittleDoritt · 06/08/2019 08:22

YABU.

Ozziewozzie · 06/08/2019 08:23

Pollute young brains?
For the sheep on here, do your research before making such bold statements.
There have actually been numerous comprehensive research studies carried out on the effects of consoles, mobiles and tablets in children of all ages, and in actual fact........your statements are incorrect.
The point is parents should supervise, interact and join in with children no matter what activities they are engaged in.
Anything in excess is too much.
It does not damage their brains and personalities. Use common sense, eg, age appropriate games,
I’m going to find the documentaries and post them up here.
Serious misconception

Loopytiles · 06/08/2019 08:23

YABU

Wildorchidz · 06/08/2019 08:27

The point is parents should supervise, interact and join in with children no matter what activities they are engaged in.

The point is that they don’t.

stayathomer · 06/08/2019 09:13

Ozziewozzie That sounds lovely but while so many people supervise you will find the time where something has to be done and you'll leave your lo Just for a few minutes. Why even have it there in the first place for it to be the thing that keeps their attention when you have that thing to do?And studies are always being quoted to say children of that age can't take the brightness of the screen, the addictiveness, can't handle losing etc. And loads and tablets are turning put to be as detrimental apparently too, staring at a bright screen, crouched over etc. I'm not innocent here, we have both but have been in the process of weaning our kids off and I don't wish it on anyone. Maybe our kids have more addictive personalities than others but we have policed and played with them and watched with them from day 1 and it hasn't stopped their personalities from changing, stomping, tantrums etc from all 4kids so two younger kids are being seriously diverted from them and we have an on going staggered issue with the older two

AtSea1979 · 06/08/2019 09:16

YABU get him some play-doh and kerplunk.
Plenty of time to think about games consoles when he’s about to go in to high school.

Whoops75 · 06/08/2019 09:17

Don’t do it unless you want to fight with your child every day.

BonAccordSpur · 06/08/2019 09:19

Christ maybe ive lost touch moving out to Oz&having plenty to do outdoors but that made for depressing reading! Surely there something-anything but that for 4yr old😨

BonAccordSpur · 06/08/2019 09:22

Meant to add at that age mine were craft mad,lego crazy&into MLP😂generally out in all weather on bikes/scooters..even now as teens we've escaped the curse of gaming&all that coz theyre sporty..Thank Christ😂

jesuschristwtf · 06/08/2019 09:23

🤦🏻‍♀️ Jesus Christ. He’s 4!!!

Pinkout · 06/08/2019 09:24

I would say four is too young to appreciate a console. Tablets can be a good idea, chock full of educational games and it’s also been proven that children who use tablets have finer motor skills.

Failing that, a bike or scooter...

PixieLumos · 06/08/2019 09:25

I would avoid - he’ll never want to come off it and it’s just going to cause conflict. I think most of the games have quite an addictive nature and 4 is too young to handle that. Physical toys are better for that age.

Countrybumpkin00 · 06/08/2019 09:41

Yes you are being unreasonable. Far too young for that. But him a soccer ball instead

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