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.

I'm not a gamer but dp is and the amount of moneys worth of consoles in our house is huge, but on the other hand he doesn't drink, smoke etc or spends money on anything else. And of course they're for the kids ha. Out of all of them the switch is definitely the most family friendly and it could end up being something your dd really enjoys and a great way for you to spend time together & worth the cost

Price per use...it's the cheapest thing you'll buy. Ours is used daily (and nightly).

We never bothered with a console and went straight to a decent PC. They can then use it for homework, coding, etc. It is more outlay upfront but saves then having to get them a separate PC for school work.

If your daughter really wants one, that's different. But don't be influenced by the "she will be left out socially" argument. My 12 year old daughter has never played on a console in her life. It's not a thing in her friendship group.

Got one as a joint present for my 6 & 10 year olds last Christmas - the older one plays on it with friends sometimes but I don't think it is really a social issue for my 7 year old.

To whoever said gaming is a waste of time - Gaming is less of a waste of time than dicking around on Mumsnet. Gaming can be very educational, and good for all sorts of things like problem solving, working as a team, spatial awareness, general knowledge and logic. My kids use the "teach your monster to read" game on their kindles and they love it, it supplements what they do at school with phonics and they don't realise they are learning. I think any child who isn't allowed to use computers because their parents are stuck in the dark ages is at a disadvantage. (Note, i am not talking about people who can't afford it. But those people who look down on gaming without ever bothering to find out what kind of games are available, or the benefits their child might get from being allowed to use computers for more than just homework.)

Gaming isn't a new thing. Back in the 90s i used to play games like age of empires and they sparked a real interest in history.

We've just bought Ds11 an xbox series x for his birthday. It was over £550 which is a lot of money for a birthday present but it is what he really wanted. He's got is now he won't get another one next year

Dss17 has got an Xbox 1 which he's had for about 5 years. He has used a LOT (too much) but it still works fine.

Compared to some of the other crap that gets bought and discarded a console is actually quite good value

costs a lot but then each christmas or birthday after they get one game certainly makes it easier finding presents in future .Paypal credit is good i am using it for my daughters present this year.I got her a laptop as its not just a multi media device but something she can use for home work.As long as i pay off the 200 within 4 months no interest.You dont have to pay it all in one spread the cost and as its a big gift you only need to get them one gift for christmas .

Our son is having a Switch for his 9th birthday. He hasn't had a console before, but we feel he's now old enough, and his use will be carefully managed. We see this as a one-off expensive gift. He understands that, and knows that it is possible this year because we have saved commuting costs, but that big presents are not the norm.

Yes but I wish we hadn’t, it’s sooooo addictive for them and causes arguments.

When they left, my parents went straight out and bought a console and several games. Those games were played by so many children over the years. It was like a welcome ceremony into the family - here's your room and here's your controller. It created bonds that would have never existed.

This is really lovely. What a wonderful way to make those children feel welcome.

Interesting thread. My nearly 10 year old daughter has an ancient Xbox that we bought about 20yrs ago and a Nintendo Wii that was passed onto us from relatives. She never plays with either. I think only one of her girlfriends has a games console and maybe a couple of boys in her class. It is not a “thing” among her peers at all. Only 2 kids in her class have a phone. She occasionally plays a game on my iPad. I am so glad this gaming obsession hasn’t reached us yet. Fingers crossed it never does!!

We don't have a console, my son uses a standard computer for games. Minecraft java edition cost I think 12 pounds. He also has Minecraft dungeons which was about 25 I think. Way cheaper than a console. We also bought him an online coding course which has lots of games that teach him about coding.

Even when I was little it was normal to have a really big present like a console sometimes. But it might be shared between siblings, or a combined birthday/Christmas present. And then subsequent years would be less extravagant. It’s not £300 every year once you do it once, the next year might just be a game or two and something else.
Obviously not everyone gets one, and they might be secondhand. But it’s not something I would not buy, just because of the principle of the cost if I had the money and my DC genuinely wanted it.

In similar position.9 and 7 year old want one and I have avoided so far but I feel socially it is genuinely becoming unusual not to have one and kids who visit expect to play on them

Tbh I wish we weren't getting it but I also know they will get enjoyment out if it.

We have a PlayStation 4, Xbox and 2 Nintendo switch, all of the, were brought on offer. There’s lots of fun games that the whole family can play though..

Yes kids who don't game can be slightly socially disadvantaged but not in the huge way most make out and in my experience (different for everyone I know) more that don't have a better range of hobbies/are more sociable etc and anyway within a few years they're all playing totally different games and it doesn't matter! We have an X box and an ipad, both were bought with assistance from the kids, and I always covered the santa question (why did X get one from santa) by saying possibly santa had his reasons eg he'd messed up one year or something and I generally acted gobsmacked and confused ('I definitely didn't think Santa could do that!!') . A tablet can do the job just as well, don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself

YANBU that it's silly money but I do spend hundreds on my dcs presents. A bike costs a fortune especially for an older child. A console is a similar investment. I got my eldest a switch at about 8. He actually didn't use it that much but friends and family played it a lot and ds2 now loves all the games ds1 never played so we are getting moneys worth out of it.

It has always been well used oncar journeys and taken on holiday when again its good in large groups to play as social thing. I don't play but lots of dc friends, their siblings, and the occasional teen /adult all play it.

I wouldn't get the lite handheld version because it's best played on a large screen.

I bought it for play dates really because kids love to play on a console together.

Ds1 got an xbox soon after the switch when he was maybe 9 or 10, it was a joint gift for both boys from a family member who was gifted on and passed it to my dc (very lucky). That's why he used the switch less.

I think you could hold off on the switch and just play on tablets for now. The popular games are games they can play together so roblox fortnite and Minecraft. You don't need a switch to play these.

It will not socially disadvantage her not to have one. You could get a cheaper second hand console with games bundle. Ds has played old PlayStation round at various friends houses and it's always gone down well.

Then if she takes to it you can get her an updated x box or PlayStation that will take her through her teens, or a gaming laptop may be what she wants.

Tbh I wish we weren't getting it but I also know they will get enjoyment out if it.

Genuine question, why do you wish you weren't getting it? Which bit are you worried about?

Ps gaming has definitely been as much of a disadvantage here, it is addictive and is too much of a focus and they turn into different kids on screen days

Gaming consoles are terrible. You will destroy your child by getting them one.

DH is more interested in games consoles right now, but for the amount it’s used and how long it lasts I’d say it’s worth the money. However we’ve just bought one of our DDs a Barbie playhouse thing and that was £250, now that is a ridiculous price for a bunch of plastic!

@Bananabrush, wrt 'waste of time', it might surprise you to learn that some American universities offer gaming and esports scholarships.

@Bobsyer, excellent advice.

I also believe in limiting screen time and I've been very strict with my dc. When we are with large groups of friends I stop them from playing incessantly which is a bit mean as some kids are just allowed on them all the time. In my view it's not good for them and so far has worked out well.

Gaming consoles are terrible. You will destroy your child by getting them one.

Are you joking?

I grew up with games consoles and last time i checked it didn't destroy me. Don't be so dramatic.