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.

I really have to issue a warning about Robox. Both my DDs love it (they're 10 and 7), and I had an awful shock when DD2 was chatting to someone claiming to be a child but asking for her mobile number (she doesn't have one) and telling her she was very feminine. What boy playing Robox would tell a girl that? It seemed very clear that it was an adult/teenager pretending to be younger than they really were.

Why is your children adding strangers to their profile and why aren’t you monitoring their profile.

My children are 13 and 10 i spot check their profiles... they are only allowed to add people to their profile that they know.

I'm wondering why on earth anyone would be encouraging a 7 yr old to play on consoles at all. Never mind worrying that they weren't spending enough time on one.OP, I suggest you get your son outside and having fun in the real world. You might find his behaviour improves, too, if he's been running around and doing 'outside' things

My kids don't have Nintendo DSs but even I think this comment is fucking ridiculous. It's entirely possible to have a child that plays on consoles and spends lots of time outdoors.

What games did you get him? Some are quite tricky until you get the hang of it. I bet he'd love minecraft if he's into roblox.

Give him a packet of seeds and let him appreciate the beauty and magic of nature

Best thing I've read in ages - a packet of seeds!! Its what all the 7 year olds are asking for..

Have you actually sat down and played on it with him to help him get the hang of it. My DS got one for Christmas, he couldn’t do most of the games on his own but myself and DH have sat with him and he’s getting the hang of it now and actually beats me in most games now 🙈

I hate the insinuation that a child with a games console is an unhealthy child or will become addicted. It’s like anything else as long as it’s used in moderation what is the problem. This weekend my son has been to a party, been swimming, played football, played with toys with daddy and enjoyed craft activities as well as a few games on the console, what’s wrong with that?

**TripTrappingOverMyBridge

I'm wondering why on earth anyone would be encouraging a 7 yr old to play on consoles at all. Never mind worrying that they weren't spending enough time on one.

OP, I suggest you get your son outside and having fun in the real world. You might find his behaviour improves, too, if he's been running around and doing 'outside' things**

Triptrapping, are you always so singular

He can play on a games console and also outside having fun in the “real life”

The two are not mutually inclusive of each other!!!

Why should he appreciate something that he finds too hard ?

Packet of seeds? Wtaf?!

Some of the mums' languages are shocking! Nobody is saying playing games and going out to play are mutually exclusive and yet some take it upon themselves to swear as if the others were saying something ridiculous. Calm down and just think about how much time kids nowadays are spending on their electronic devices.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend: I totally agree with you.

I bet a lot of OPs are reduced to tears by some very one-sided comments. Some say that it's not OP's to sell since it is gifted to the son. Liberal go mad! If £300 was sitting there and gathering dust, why not talk to the boy and buy something else? Some very intellectually pretentious people here! The end of the day, you're the adults and you guide your charge even though you might be learning along the way.

Forever it will
Be, remember when you sold my main Christmas present a Nintendo switch, in the 2nd week of January because you felt I wasn’t grateful Enough ....

Bad move OP

The Lego games are great for that age - has he got friends with one to play together?

YABU. He's only 7 and I agree with those who say that three weeks is nothing and that he might grow into the games later.

£300 feels like a lot to spend on a single entertainment item for anyone, especially a little kid. Maybe get something cheaper and less pressure-inducing all round next year. Once you give a gift, it's done and it feels a bit childish to get resentful after the fact. Lots of good ideas from others already on making the best of the situation now.

Your post has reminded me of a particularly horrible birthday as a child where my mother lost her rag in the evening and shrieked at me for being insufficiently appreciative of my gifts after waiting all day for me to somehow demonstrate the level of gratitude she thought they merited. I had thought that saying a polite thank you and putting them away in drawers and cupboards was sufficient. Not pleasant.

Had your ds played on a switch before? It could be that he wanted one as maybe his friends have them and they do seem to be the rage at the moment. I would speak to your Ds about selling and getting him something else. Or even buying a easier game and getting him to have a go with yourself playing too. I don't think he's being ungrateful as like others have said at that age they don't appreciate the true value of money.
I count my blessings as my ds 6 has not expressed any interest for a console yet... I'm sure that will soon change though!

he's not ungrateful ... sit down with him , look at the games with him .. ask yourself then are these games tricky for him? ..help him understand how to use it. enjoy! xx

We told my so. He want have one until he is ten as it’s a ninTENdo 🤣
He’s 8 now and I think the games will be too hard.

So a 7 year old already has access to an Xbox and because he begged, you got him another piece of expensive kit. His behaviour is understandable but yours is not, he’s seven for crying out loud.

He's 7, it's a really good age to start managing his expectations at Christmas. Think I've Only just achieved that and my guy is 18 next Christmas! £300+ is waaaay too much. You could get an annual family pass to a theme park for that. Next year get him these gifts: something he wants, something he needs, something to wear and something to read, avoid spending hundreds. Put him down on the wait list for your local Cub/scout troupe and spend your money on that. He'll remember experiences more than games he couldn't play.

A nintendo switch is not a good gift for a 7 year old in my opinion. Majority of the games are targeted towards adults (I'm 22 and I have my own switch). They are also easily damaged and not made well. That's why they've brought out a new one recently which also has issues. Xbox and playstation are made better. He doesnt need two consoles and switches are too expensive to have as a childs handheld. I would sell it all for £250 saying barely used and you will get a buyer quick. Ask what he actually wants, buy him it and put the rest in his savings account. Also get him some Robux (the currency on Roblox). They come in gift card form and he will be so pleased with some. :)

Anonyma. What a sad memory. 😘

@Inherdefence if you are still looking to buy a switch, CEX have some here x

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!

This entire post is gold.

“Artificial machine”
“National Trust properties”
“Lonely experience of punching a pad”

Sometimes MN really is beyond parody.

@Frouby do you really let your 6yo play fortnite? I think that's pretty awful tbh

Yes that is upsetting. Can you or DH get the Nintendo out and play it with him so he can learn how to get to grips with it? Your DS is probably really disappointed that he can't play with it very well.

Do you know any older kids? My GS aged 6 got one for Christmas, big cousin aged 12 helped him with it and played 2 player games with it and he loves it. At that age they love to do this with big kids.

Your never going to get a decent price for it so I wouldn’t bother selling it. Can’t you get him easier games so he can pick it up?

My son got one for his 7th birthday. We contributed two thirds; the remaining third he used his birthday money. Easiest starter game imho is Mario Kart. He likes that because he can play it with his cousin. He also likes FIFA - plays it on the tv with his dad. Now he’s a bit older he’ll play Minecraft, and Fortnite with his friends.

It’s a good bit of kit and very portable, which is good for us as we travel a fair bit.

If the games you got for him are too hard, usually resale value on eBay isn’t bad. Or just hold on and wait until he’s a bit older.