To think DS is very ungrateful

[mummaaw]

All ds 7 went on about up to Xmas was that he wanted a Nintendo switch
So me and Dh saved up to get him one and got 2 games it came to over £300 and he has only played it once he realised that the games are quite hard compared to robox that he plays all the time so he has only played it once and it is sat in the box collecting dust.
His behaviour hasn't been great lately so we've banned him from Xbox but he still has not even asked to play the Nintendo I understand it's harder but he can't even be bothered to try, I'm actually really upset.

What games are they?
We got a switch for the family to share. My 7 and 4 year old absolutely love a few races on Mario Kart but their dad had to sit and show them how to actually do it. We are yet to try Just Dance.

We have a family switch. The games my 5 year old plays (very occasionally as its shared between 4 of them before anyone gets hoiky)
are Pokemon quest which is a free downloadable Arms only the demo version which is a very cartoony beat-em-up. Mario oddessy which came free. Yoshies craft world and a kirby game. He does get stuck and frustrated but when he plays its always with me or one of the older ones close by to help if he gets too stuck.

What games does he like on the Xbox as ime that is a much more grown up console. Game wise

What games does he have? I'm not saying to buy him more necessarily, but there are plenty that are easy and suitable for younger children; but be thankful he isn't wanting to sit in front of a console for hours I guess. It must be frustrating having spent all of that money on it, but Nintendo consoles don't tend to drop much in price anyway, so personally I would keep it and I bet he will love it soon enough. I don't think it's him being actively ungrateful as an adult would, he is 7 and they just don't comprehend the concept that money takes time to save, and things cost lots of money!

Sometimes it doesn't go the way you think it will. DH was insistent that we get DS1 a Nintendo DSi for his sixth birthday. Said he'd love it. DS was interested for a couple of days and then didn't bother with it. He just wasn't ready for it. He reawakened his interest in it just before he turned 8. We take him to CEX and let him choose the games that interest him (the reason we chose an older console was so that he can swap out games regularly at a low cost). DS2 then chose to spend his birthday money on one when he turned 6 having seen his brothers.

I agree that it's all about the games. Could you exchange them for something that he wants on there. Minecraft?

It’s only two weeks after Christmas! Maybe go to CEX or other second hand shops and get some easier games. Maybe play them with him.

BabyEI - I totally agree with you. Get out there, appreciate colours, fresh air, real life and play with mates, develop real friendship and social skills. Do something creative with his hands. Give him a packet of seeds and let him appreciate the beauty and magic of nature. Children should be taught gratitude or at least politeness even though they don't like it. Some posters said it was not yours to sell, which sounds very intellectual. I disagree! If I bought some son something he didn't want, I would talk to him and find a solution, I certainly would not let the £30, let alone £300, sit there to gather dust. Better still, switch off the artificial machine and go out to do something with his friends - football, swimming, nature trails.. Go to National Trust properties to appreciate architecture, history and our national heritage! Way better than the lonely experience of punching a pad!

Play it with him, DS1 (7) loves playing with DH (Switch is DH’s...he loves video games). Mario Kart etc are fab.

Blah blah blah screen time blah blah blah 😴😴😴😴😴

Did it ever occur to you that people parent differently?

Maybe OP doesn't mind screen time? Maybe her son gets limited screen time? It's not actually been said.

Different world today. Kids socialise online. It's not the 80s anymore.

My son wants to be a youtuber and professional gamer. Gaming is a legitimate hobby and career now.

You can have a console and still do activities. It's not one or the other.

Im assuming that you've sat down with him and spent time showing him how to play, Showing him how to dock and undock it and how to use the controllers.

Why don't you buy some family games, mario party is a good one, and play with him? Pokemon lets go is good to cus it has drop in and out co-op.

If he's not using it ask if he'd mind it being a family console in the living room and enjoy it together with him, you're gonna lose a good chunk of money if you sell it, might as well adapt to the situation.

@TripTrappingOverMyBridge - the OP didn’t ask for advice on how addictive gaming is or advise on How to improve her sons behaviour.

Plenty of parents buy there children game consoles at 7 or older.

Op - my daughter had a switch last year and it probably got played on a lot at the beginning as me and her dad played with her more so on games like mario kart. What games came with it?

Ah, the usual shite about the evils of video games. Never change MN!

It is possible to do all those 'worthy' things and still spend a little time playing games or with the iPad. We can't be 'experience parenting' 24 hours a day. Where has OP said he doesn't go swimming, go out to play with friends, etc?

I d8nt think it’s that he is ungrateful but more that he didn’t quite realise what the Nintendo was. Basically he did what many adults still do, he bought into advertising and what he friends told him 😂

What you do next will depend on how much money you have and whether you can afford to have £300 waiting in the cupboard. But regardless of what you do, I would have a frank conversation with him about what to do with it. This game is his now so it makes sense to ask him what he wants to do with it. Propose him different option (keeping it for a year, selling it to buy something else - what?) and then decide together what is the best crise of action

I think you’re being harsh given that it’s only a few weeks since Christmas.

Does your Ds have friends on Roblox? My Ds still plays on Roblox and that’s after having an Xbox one! I wouldn’t dream of selling his Xbox though.

Surely the only person losing out is your Ds and although I can totally understand your disappointment (anyone remember Wii U?) I really think you should give it more time.

You sound rather childish. You gave it to him, your choice now you can’t take it back. If you can’t afford it you should not have given it to him, that is not his problem.

cant wait for your post in a ew years when he is gaming all the time.you dont see him.and hes refusing to do anything but game.
there is really nothing wrong with a lad not gaming enough!

He doesn’t sound ungrateful at all. You sound very unreasonable. If the console and available games aren’t age appropriate you shouldn’t have bought it for him. You should have done the research and then told him it’s something it for older children. It’s all very well saying it’s what he wanted but at his age my son wanted a motorbike and a tattoo! Needless to say, that’s not what Santa bought him.

I wouldn’t sell it for now. It’s his and he will probably grow into it. If at some point he desperately wants something else (that is age appropriate), you could maybe give him the choice of selling it to fund the new thing.

All that being said, I really, really, really want a Switch and they are currently out of stock everywhere so if you do decide to sell it please PM me. I’d be happy to make you an offer. Although at nearly 60 I think the games might be a bit challenging for me too.

I wouldn't sell it. You won't get your money back and there are so many games he could try.

Especially as he might then want another one again as new games are released.

I also don't think he is being ungrateful just because he doesn't play it how you want him too.

@TripTrappingOverMyBridge it is entirely possible to spend time outside with your child AND let them game once in a while you know. It doesn't have to be a choice between letting them game non stop all day and NEVER letting them touch a console.

It's been three weeks! I have a box of chocolates I haven't opened that were a Christmas present - does this mean I won't eat them? Fuck no!

Give him more time before you even entertain the idea of selling it - at least 6 months, and as PPs have said, why not play with him? He might find it more fun as part of spending time with you and really get the hang of it.

He will grow into it, sounds like the games are too old for him. There will be some games available that are easier and more suitable/ satisfying for younger children. I wouldn't sell it , think that would be traumatising! can you buy a cheap(er) second hand game thats easier? Look at reviews on Amazon they will give you a good idea for age suitability.

Which games did you get him? My 7 and 5 year old got one to share for Christmas and they both love it. We put it on 4 player mode and play Mario kart and super smash bros. They are easy, even I can play it!