Do people really spend £300 on their kids console

[Arren12]

Hi

My dd who is 8 has been asking for a console for ages and ages now. We have never owned anything like that. She's autistic and has never played with toys so we are limited to what we can get her for Xmas. I thought I'd look at getting a console of some sort but I'm gobsmacked at the price.

Most of her friends at school have had them for ages so obviously people must spend this but its seems so excessive.

We are by no means rich but we are not struggling for money. We are quite comfortable. Its just I feel its such a lot and think about what else that money could go on.

As I say my dd does not play in the traditional sense and spends all her time doing arts and crafts. We have every art and craft thing you can imagine so can't get her any more of that really. This seemed ideal but its way more than I'd normally like to spend on each child.

What do others do? Is it that people do spend £300 on Xmas gifts or is it purely seen as a one off big purchase.

The games are also so expensive.

Do most children have a console.

I feel a bit like I'm a bad mum because dd seems one of the only children in her class not to game. This was evident in a recent homework assignment.

Aibu to be shocked that parents are spending this and wondering how most afford it or feel comfortable with it.

All children should have access to a games console or gaming PC, frankly it's a necessity these days. People spend more time online, that's just the way of things, and online play is the same as offline play these days - it's where children learn social skills. Preventing a child from experiencing the world of online gaming is just as detrimental as refusing to ever allow them to go outside to play with their friends.

We had a Spectrum in our house when I was about two, I grew up with that before moving onto console gaming. I learnt more about coding on the Spectrum than anything I learnt in school IT lessons - the importance of accuracy and the understanding that anything that can go wrong will. Games teach you many lessons - teamwork, resilience, resourcefulness, thinking outside the box, the acceptance of the unfairness of life. The best thing is, children think they're just having fun messing about playing games, they don't realise they are learning crucial life skills. That's always the best learning experience in my view - having so much fun you don't realise you're being educated.

Also I vaguely remember reading something interesting about how the big ticket presents of the 70s and 80s were actually just as expensive as today's equivalents when you account for inflation / average wages etc, even though we tend to subconsciously associate them with simpler "more innocent" times.

Of course they do...otherwise there wouldn't be a market for these things @Arren12 I have already spent approx 650 on my 2 dc (including a Nintendo switch!) and I'm not finished. That's not a boast at all but surely you are aware that ppl actually do spend that money.

@turnthebiglightoff I would disagree. We have one Switch, which is my sons. My 12yr old daughter went to a new tween/teen social group in our area, and everyone else there was either playing on the provided Xbox, or a group had got together to talk about some game that they all played. She had never been heard of these things, never mind played them. She had nothing in common with anyone in the room, including the only other girl there. I would say in that instance, she was socially disadvantaged.

My brother has been handing his second hand consoles off to me since I was a child.

For me, a console would very much be a "family" possession, and bought with an eye to the market (e.g., is it new, what kind of games does it offer, is it just about to become obsolete?).

I'm dyspraxic, and I genuinely think that driving games, however mad, helped me prepare for road awareness.

A console is an expensive one off, but it makes it easy for relatives etc to buy games as gifts, provides entertainment, and serves other purposes such as DVD player etc. So £300ish seems fair to me.

5 kids, never had a 'proper' games console. They can still play games online, I don't see the problem. I also hate the societal pressure argument. So many parents complain their kids are spending too much time on X box etc.. £300 is ridiculous amount to spend on one child imo.

@HarrietsChariot

All children should have access to a games console or gaming PC, frankly it's a necessity these days. People spend more time online, that's just the way of things, and online play is the same as offline play these days - it's where children learn social skills. Preventing a child from experiencing the world of online gaming is just as detrimental as refusing to ever allow them to go outside to play with their friends.

We had a Spectrum in our house when I was about two, I grew up with that before moving onto console gaming. I learnt more about coding on the Spectrum than anything I learnt in school IT lessons - the importance of accuracy and the understanding that anything that can go wrong will. Games teach you many lessons - teamwork, resilience, resourcefulness, thinking outside the box, the acceptance of the unfairness of life. The best thing is, children think they're just having fun messing about playing games, they don't realise they are learning crucial life skills. That's always the best learning experience in my view - having so much fun you don't realise you're being educated.

What a ridiculous thing to say, that not having a games console is like never being allowed out to play?? A PC/console is a tool. That's all. Human development needs proper social interaction, as we have learnt over the last 2 years!!

No. My children haven't expressed an interest in a console. I wouldn't spend that on something that only has the one function.

My kids have the original Xbox from 20years ago. Why not get her a second hand older model? I agree £300 plus games is rather a lot to spend on one child.

If you are comfortable financially, your child already has a limited selection of things they can get for Christmas and she has asked for one, you absolutely should get her one.

There’s plenty of things people want for Christmas that I can’t get my head around, but everyone has different likes/dislikes and it’s not up to me to determine whether something is worth the money. To them, it clearly is.

People spend £100 on a hot chocolate velvetiser on here. I despise hot chocolate so I personally see them as a waste of money, but I can absolutely see why it wouldn’t be for someone who loves hot chocolate and would have one regularly. It’s the same idea here.

My children are too young for consoles at the minute but in a couple of years if they ask for one, I will absolutely be buying them one.

I'm keen to teach my dc the value of money early on. I grew up with very little and still feel anxious spending money even if I can afford it.

Don't do that. There's a difference between teaching the value of money and teaching them they're not worth spending money on that you can afford. I grew up poor too, it's not a badge of honour.

@HarrietsChariot

All children should have access to a games console or gaming PC, frankly it's a necessity these days. People spend more time online, that's just the way of things, and online play is the same as offline play these days - it's where children learn social skills. Preventing a child from experiencing the world of online gaming is just as detrimental as refusing to ever allow them to go outside to play with their friends.

We had a Spectrum in our house when I was about two, I grew up with that before moving onto console gaming. I learnt more about coding on the Spectrum than anything I learnt in school IT lessons - the importance of accuracy and the understanding that anything that can go wrong will. Games teach you many lessons - teamwork, resilience, resourcefulness, thinking outside the box, the acceptance of the unfairness of life. The best thing is, children think they're just having fun messing about playing games, they don't realise they are learning crucial life skills. That's always the best learning experience in my view - having so much fun you don't realise you're being educated.

Those crucial life skills learned from playing Super Mario!

Honestly, we all secretly know gaming is a massive waste of one’s time. It might be an enjoyable waste of time that you’d like to justify; but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a waste. I might enjoy watching rubbish on TV, or shitposting on the internet or reading crime novels, but I freely admit they’re a waste of my time. Goggling at cartoons for three hours every night after school as a kid in the 80s was a waste of my time, too.

I’d be kidding myself to try to argue that any of this was learning essential skills or socialising. Kids might enjoy it, but you’re essentially just buying them entertainment products designed explicitly to waste their time and get them keen to keep you buying - just as much as if you just sat them in front of the Pop channel instead!

We dont buy much but we dont mind spending more on that stuff. At that age i prob wouldnt get a console but if i did it would be second hand.

In your position id think about whether i mind her having a console and then think about how much she wants it and if i wanted something that much and had £300 would i buy it. So, would i buy a top of the range coffee machine/whatever for £300? If yes then id buy it.

all children should have access to a games console or gaming PC, frankly it's a necessity these days. People spend more time online, that's just the way of things

Depends on their age. For teens, yes. Virtually all my ds class are online playing games together most evenings. Year 9.

As for primary age, I didn't get him a console. To be honest,my life would have been easier if I had. However, I always wanted him to play properly, to be outside, to get exercise...maybe I'm old fashioned. He's still annoyed with me..but I think it was right decision. I think a lot of parents get their young children consoles for an easier life. Let them sit on them all day...easier than taking them to the park or ferrying them to activities

No. DDs are 9 and 7. Neither has asked for one yet. DH & I are not 'gamers' and play dates with friends are almost always outside.

All children should have access to a games console or gaming PC, frankly it's a necessity these days

This is funny.

The reality is a lot of parents use electronics instead of ferrying their children around to various locations for actual face to face activities.
So maybe they are more a necessity for the parents who don’t want to get in their cars??

There are so many sexist stereotypes on this thread - from the 'acceptable' knitting alternatives to gaming - to the DCs who have dads who are gamers are likely to game.
The first time our DC played on a console was in hospital. It was a great distraction from being ill. That year, a family member was upgrading their system and gave us their second-hand console. We've updated regularly since then.
Every DC I know with a console also attends lots of activities and plays outside. They also learn skills from the games they play on their console. There are a myriad of opportunities to be creative from games with singing, art, writing and mixing to business games that teach about profit, loss, inventory, etc. Lots of opportunity for collaborative working with friends too.

If she doesn’t play with toys you’re seriously limited with what you can buy her so it isn’t as though she’s expecting an expensive console and expensive toys. I’d personally just buy the console and a few stocking fillings if you can afford it.

Yes, parents spend this much on things their children will actually use a lot and enjoy like consoles/laptops/tablets etc. We bought DS a Nintendo switch 2 years ago and DD’s a tablet each the same Christmas, best presents we ever bought and they’re still loved and enjoyed now. Likewise DS’s laptop last year, it didn’t miss the mark and he uses it every day so well worthwhile.

The reality is a lot of parents use electronics instead of ferrying their children around to various locations for actual face to face activities.
So maybe they are more a necessity for the parents who don’t want to get in their cars??

I have a 13 year old who plays xbox regularly. He also does basketball, rugby, football and Spanish after school. Such a ridiculous suggestion that parents are not providing children with face to face opportunities if they have a console.
I also have a DD who is 7 and does an arts and craft club, sewing, hockey, and first aid and DS2 does a music club and first aid.
They all regularly game, as do I. Its not a way to keep them quiet. Its a way for them to relax and unwind.

Why shouldn’t a boy learn knitting, anyway?

So many parents don’t even offer boys the opportunity to do things like crafting or dancing. My sister wouldn’t even let her boy learn to skip as it was a “girls’ activity”! She immediately passed on to the charity shop a (blue) skipping rope he was once given as a gift, and is proud of the fact that he has “never been into drawing or any of that stuff” (presumably because she thinks it’s for girls?) He was bought consoles v young so quickly gave up every other hobby and now only games, nothing else. Sad to say his social skills in real life have really suffered - he has no tolerance for doing anything apart from disappearing off upstairs to game.

"a waste of my time, too.

I’d be kidding myself to try to argue that any of this was learning essential skills or socialising."

Is it a waste of time? Probably.

It's called having fun. Once my boys have done their homework, done their jobs round the house, finished putting their dirty football kit in the washing machine, they are free to spend their free time as they wish.

Socialising skills I disagree. Some kids aren't interested in gaming, of course, but for those that do, the socialising is a HUGE part.

Ds got a (second hand) x box for his recent 12th birthday.

He also enjoys doing long stitch.

Games don’t need to take over!

I have a 13 year old who plays xbox regularly. He also does basketball, rugby, football and Spanish after school.

When does he play his xbox during the week when he has school and homework, mealtimes and night time reading as well as his activities?

My kids are a few years younger and even with a shorter school day, there aren’t enough hours in our day. They might watch twenty mins of tv but only while doing something else at the same time eg getting ready for bed. If my DC got actively involved on the switch, the minimum time would be 45 mins and a lot of moaning and pleading for longer.

but for those that do, the socialising is aHUGEpart.
Yep, my son plays online with friends who aren't allowed out during the week, but are allowed on the xbox. He also plays with his uncles online and teaches his younger siblings how to play games. It's socialising and bonding and brings them together. It's a great activity that they can all enjoy