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.

My kids (6 and 10) are getting a switch this year for Xmas. Its a big decision for me because I have no interest in gaming and feels like a lot of money on something pretty pointless. But DS is old enough now to enjoy it responsibly and DD doesn't have much interest but will like some games (just dance etc) I'm sure. I have spent a similar amount on bikes in previous years (but they can be sold on once they have grown out of them), DD had an expensive sewing machine last year. They both have tablets which have multi use, not just games. So I can afford it, it just isn't a big priority for us.

DD has experienced feeling left out at school because everyone is chatting about gaming. But she's expressed that she's more annoyed with her friends for being insensitive to the fact that one person in the group doesn't play that particular game, not me for failing to "keep up with the Joneses" by getting her every latest fad. She has a decent tablet and can download many of the games that people rave about but chooses not to because, a bit like me, she doesn't really understand the point of computer games. She prefers real life - science and art. Maybe instead of sneering that others are "socially disadvantaged" by not having fortnite or whatever, you could teach your children to consider other people's feelings. There are so many kids out there who are spolit brats with no empathy.

This type of thread always brings out the "Im a better parent than you and dont allow my DC to game" brigade. I very nearly got sucked into that myself when the kids were little as most of my friends were antigaming.
Luckily I researched it a bit and got them what they wanted. Now, 2 of my 3 DC work in highly paid tech roles both completed/completing degrees and masters paid for by their companies. The other is a nurse. I'm proud of them all, but I know which of them have the easier lives.
All 3 still enjoy gaming and all 3 still do outside team sports and have active lives.
Given the amount of time and effort that goes into producing consoles, it's no wonder they are expensive (a bit like with medication).
If you can afford it, then get her the console, if you break it down on a week by week basis, over 3 years it's less than £2 a week.

She has a decent tablet and can download many of the games that people rave about but chooses not to because, a bit like me, she doesn't really understand the point of computer games. She prefers real life - science and art.

Surely, surely you must be able to read that back and see that you're sneering at children who like gaming, as though your daughter is better than them because she prefers "real life", science and art?

I hope she hasnt acted that superior to the children at school. If so that may explain why they're excluding her, not because they're spoilt brats with no empathy. Maybe you should teach your kid that liking science and art and "real life" doesn't make her better than her peers.

I guess it would be like not having a TV when we were small.
I was that child and when everyone was talking about their weekend viewing, Jim'll Fix it (😕) etc., me and a boy called Dillon didn't have a clue.

My Mum had weird ideas about TV, but relented when she found my older brother being obsessed by TV in other people's houses, and would even stare at it when it was off.

Ironically my Mum really liked the tv once she got one.

The poster who says y3 boys don't have consoles, I think that's when it starts. We got a second hand xbox 360 in y3.

@trumpisagit I think that's it exactly. People talking about games they play and kids not knowing. You can't ask kids not to mention Minecraft or whatever because wee Jean is left out.
That's like going into work when Eastenders was all the rage and not knowing the story line or having your tuppences worth on what you think happens next.

@SuPerDoPer

My kids (6 and 10) are getting a switch this year for Xmas. Its a big decision for me because I have no interest in gaming and feels like a lot of money on something pretty pointless. But DS is old enough now to enjoy it responsibly and DD doesn't have much interest but will like some games (just dance etc) I'm sure. I have spent a similar amount on bikes in previous years (but they can be sold on once they have grown out of them), DD had an expensive sewing machine last year. They both have tablets which have multi use, not just games. So I can afford it, it just isn't a big priority for us.

DD has experienced feeling left out at school because everyone is chatting about gaming. But she's expressed that she's more annoyed with her friends for being insensitive to the fact that one person in the group doesn't play that particular game, not me for failing to "keep up with the Joneses" by getting her every latest fad. She has a decent tablet and can download many of the games that people rave about but chooses not to because, a bit like me, she doesn't really understand the point of computer games. She prefers real life - science and art. Maybe instead of sneering that others are "socially disadvantaged" by not having fortnite or whatever, you could teach your children to consider other people's feelings. There are so many kids out there who are spolit brats with no empathy.

Your post comes across as quite superior. Your DD is 6, she's still very young and really at the age where kids would only just be getting into gaming. Maybe she won't get into it at all. But saying you both like "real life activities like science and art" just makes you sound like a superior snob I'm afraid.

@RAFHercules

If you can afford it, then get her the console, if you break it down on a week by week basis, over 3 years it's less than £2 a week.

Unfortunately though its not just the cost of the console. You do need to include the cost of extras like a headset, maybe extra controllers (they do break) and of course games. If you have an xbox the game pass at ~£100 per year is actually good value as it provides lots of games including the latest. I suspect we spend around £5 per week, but I still see it as good value compared to what else £5 per week buys.

My DD is 13 and suffers from OCD and anxiety. Is possibly autistic. I forked out for gaming gadgets including a switch because she is calm and happy and relaxed when playing the games she likes. I encourage other things too but she loves computer based activities and therefore it seems worth the expense.

These threads are infuriating, because they are littered with people who because they have no interest in gaming, also have literally no idea about them at all.

I had a loving family and attentive parents who shared music & books with us, played games, spent time with us, encouraged us to be outdoors etc. I don't feel we missed out at all not having consoles, although I remember sort of vaguely envying a friend who had a playstation when I was about 13 or 14. However, I remember enjoying playing at her house but not especially wanting one when at home myself

And? Those things are not mutually exclusive. Contrary to popular belief, gaming doesn't have to be the majority of your interests and pastimes.

It’s the addictiveness and the sheer amount of time some spend on them (to the exclusion of everything else) that is a problem

Yep. That's why it's important that parents educate themselves on appropriate usage and set up controls. All consoles have built in controls for parents to use. My kids have an hour a day to play games, watch YouTube or whatever on the console. I can allow more time if I want. They can't see age inappropriate games or content. They cannot be contacted by strangers. True I play games so I already had an idea I could do this before I allowed games, but also, I looked it up!

*@SushiGo I personally would not get a headset until child is in their teens already and a bit more savvy

See, this is what I mean about parents educating themselves. You don't need to do this. You just only allow chat between Friends, Friends who have to request your child and then you, as the adult who looks after the account, approves. There is no way for a stranger to talk to them.

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

I mean, fine they don't want one. But I spent £300 on a decent hoover the other week. And a washing machine. And an oven. And my fridge! Coffee maker. Also, consoles play DVDs and blurays and you can stream any service through them so I wouldn't say they do 'one thing'.

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

If your kids are much younger then presumably they go to bed a lot earlier. As otherwise I can't fathom how there a) isn't 45 minutes available; and b) why you let them police the time and you do not control it better?

Buying a console is a bit silly, from my perspective. It breaks, gets outdated very quickly etc. Get a desktop (not a laptop!), not necessarily a high spec one, but rather invest into the "scope for improvement" features. It will serve them for decades with regular (cheap!) hardware updates

Ridiculous post. Consoles are built specifically for gaming. Do you know how much a decent gaming computer costs in comparison?! They also don't break very easily at all, and while new consoles come out all the time, that doesn't render the older ones obsolete by any stretch. Unless, what you actually mean is, foster a love of building computers rather than playing on them?

I teach 18-22 year olds and one of the things they say to me most often is that they wish they hadn’t been allowed games, tech and phones so early in life. Many say the online world causes them great anxiety, not the reverse

Come on. You know you're being disingenuous here. The 'online world' is not what gaming is. You know they're referring to social media and other shit they shouldn't have been exposed to as children.

Sorry for that. It just boils my piss that there are parents looking down on my children because I allow them - amongst other activities - to play computer games. And most of the objections come from a place of pure ignorance. I'm not even trying to peddle that these games are educational, because the ones I play certainly aren't. But they're fun, I like them, my kids like them, and we're all allowed to do stuff we enjoy even if we're just pawns of capitalism!

You shouldn't let them wind you up because it's their sole aim. I don't know anyone whose DC doesn't have some kind of console so yy I guess it's possible MN attracts particularly luddite parents but that seems unlikely when they devote so much time to arguing online. It's much more likely they just enjoy being gfs.

I know, I fell into the trap!

I think I'm going to hide the thread now, I try very hard not to get aerated at strangers on the internet but I've utterly failed this evening

[quote newname12345]@RAFHercules

If you can afford it, then get her the console, if you break it down on a week by week basis, over 3 years it's less than £2 a week.

Unfortunately though its not just the cost of the console. You do need to include the cost of extras like a headset, maybe extra controllers (they do break) and of course games. If you have an xbox the game pass at ~£100 per year is actually good value as it provides lots of games including the latest. I suspect we spend around £5 per week, but I still see it as good value compared to what else £5 per week buys.[/quote]
Also, you could break anything down over a number of years but that doesn’t make it cheaper/more reasonable. So why don’t you buy a thousand pound watch? It’s only a pound a week for a thousand weeks!

It doesn’t make it any cheaper. And there is also additional costs such as games to go with it.

Although I do agree with this I'm not even trying to peddle that these games are educational, because the ones I play certainly aren't. But they're fun, I like them, my kids like them, and we're all allowed to do stuff we enjoy even if we're just pawns of capitalism!

I still probably wouldn’t buy one in this situation, given that the child hasn’t played one before and it’s a lot to pay up for a toy you’re not even sure they’ll play with regularly, unless it’s second hand. However, it’s people trying to insist they’re ‘educational’ that bothers me - if they’re seen as a fun toy which should be enjoyed in moderation like anything else I don’t think they’re a huge problem, although not my cup of tea. But I find a lot of parents try and insist they’re so educational, and ‘Jenny learns so much from Roblox’ etc, when I just don’t really think that’s a good selling point for them.

Gaming's a bit of fun, not necessarily educational but then either is most telly or films.

It's the ones who insist gaming is 'new' that get me.

@Kanaloa

Also, you could break anything down over a number of years but that doesn’t make it cheaper/more reasonable. So why don’t you buy a thousand pound watch? It’s only a pound a week for a thousand weeks!

TBH I only did the weekly costs for comparison here so show its not that cheap as I don't see it as a weekly cost. I did though see it as a £250 christmas present that was still being used 5 years later, which is why I didn't hesitate to buy the latest console (£450 this time) as a present last christmas when it came out.

It doesn’t make it any cheaper. And there is also additional costs such as games to go with it.

I did include the games in my costs - as I said xbox game pass, which is not cheap (£100/year) but means you don't necessarily have to buy any other games.

I'm not even trying to peddle that these games are educational, because the ones I play certainly aren't. But they're fun, I like them, my kids like them

Have you read the previous posts. People are calling over themselves trying to convince others that consoles are educational. 🤣

@Dancingonmoonlight

I'm not even trying to peddle that these games are educational, because the ones I play certainly aren't. But they're fun, I like them, my kids like them

Have you read the previous posts. People are calling over themselves trying to convince others that consoles are educational. 🤣

Yes I have, that’s exactly why I posted that!

I wouldn't have bought a console for an 8 year old, but I did buy an xbox for my son when he was 14 and it cost about £280.

I would budget for a lot of batteries for the controller if you don't use a wired one.

@ColinTheKoala

I would budget for a lot of batteries for the controller if you don't use a wired one.

I don't think many controllers use disposable batteries these days.

Yes. My son and I split the cost of a PS5 as it's £450 and games start at £60!
You can get consoles second hand at Game.

@ColinTheKoala

I would budget for a lot of batteries for the controller if you don't use a wired one.

You can buy a rechargeable battery kit for the Xbox 1. The PS4 are already rechargeable.

@Bananabrush

I feel the same and my kids don’t have them. I think the ‘everyone else is doing it’ argument is a terrible one. Decide for yourself if it’s a good idea and if you think it’s not, explain to your kids that we don’t always have to follow the crowd. They might not like it at the time but they will see that you stick to your values even when that’s tough.

My main objections are 1. Gaming is a bit of a waste of time 2. It teaches kids a bad lesson to be given hugely expensive kit. They learn to be consumers with no sense of the value of money. If my 15 year old wants to get a part-time job and buy himself an Xbox, that’s fine.

Why is it a waste of time?

What do they/you do that is a valuable use of time?