Who is unreasonable, me or my teen?

[RannisLord]

In our house we have one TV and one PS5. The PS5 is connected to the TV, so we can’t watch the big TV and play on the PS5 simultaneously (can watch Netflix/Disney+ on tablet/phone). Therefore, we take turns. Everyone is usually pretty good and chilled about sharing. Everyone except DS2.

DS2 gets home first and is normally home about 3 hours before the rest of us. That’s 3 hours he can spend watching TV or playing PS5 without anyone interrupting him. Sometimes he plays PS5 but sometimes he watches TV, and sometimes he does neither. However, on the days he doesn’t play PS5 he then expects to get a turn later in the evening.

I think this is unreasonable as he can use the TV/PS5 for those 3 hours he is home before us and he can choose either TV or PS5. He thinks this is very unfair as it means DS1 and DS3 get a turn on the PS5 and he doesn’t. He thinks he should be able to choose to have his turn later in the evening if he wishes.

Whilst I understand his point of view there simply isn’t enough time for all three DC to have a turn after we all get home on a school night. AIBU?

We have a ps3, ps4, xbox, switch, and ipads/phones. Kids have tv in their rooms for consoles as they play online with school friends- became vital for mental health in lockdown.

I think its unreasonable you only have one TV in the entire household! It's not the 80's anymore!

I have teenage boys, we only have one TV. Op I do not think you are being unreasonable. If he wants to share then the TV should be unavailable whilst he is home alone.

nah, my approach would be:

It’s my tv. I decide who uses it, and if I want to use it then ultimately that’s my decision. It was the same when I was growing up. Life is a rollercoaster and having to use the tv between 3-6pm isn’t a big deal. Other kids get a turn when they get home, then it’s mine. I might gift the resentful kid another tv for Xmas.

Access to PS5 isn't a basic human right. As a parent you can put boundaries on access to work for your family.

Poor DD doesn't have any PS in her life. She doesn't seem to suffer in any way

I'm with you. He has his time slot and it's up to him to use it then, or not,

Get rid of the tv and the ps5 and read a book or do some crafts.

I’m joking, just seemed like a mumsnetty thing to say. Get another tv and maybe one day a week let ds2 get to chose his time on it in the evening.

Really? If that's what you want and can afford, no problem.

But there are plenty of families where this is not normal (and not necessarily healthy)

I get what your saying, but honestly I couldn't cope with this set up at all. If you can possibly afford it I'd be buying at least one more TV.
My two both have Xbox and TVs in their rooms ( not latest models, one has had his at least 4 years, his sister got bought one this year second hand off eBay for about £100 with games etc included)

Whilst a separate screen for the console would at least free up the tv for those not gaming, it doesn't solve the problem of DS2 not using his hours at home to game. A rota of some kind might help here, you could run a trial period. Perhaps it'll help him realise he's got it good right now!

He'd be much better getting into PC games anyway, ps5 and consoles in general are overpriced and rubbish in comparison. Suggest he looks into pc gaming, he'll love it and he'll be able to be in touch with friends snd make new ones. The ps5 and all the rest are like reliant robins in comparison!!

Playing earlier on his own he must feel quite left out.

Honestly, just buy a second tv, a couple of older game consoles and let your DSs buy a bunch of cheaper secondhand games for an older console from somewhere like CEX. Make sure they are games that can be played by 2 or 3 players.

Exactly @NerdyBird a second TV won’t help unless we also had a second PS5. It’s the PS5 they all want to use.

A friend jokingly accused me of child abuse when I said I wouldnt replace our "very small" tv (37" I think) when it broke as no one used it apart from for the PS3 (yes 3!!). I laughed that no one would really think that a TV was a basic neccessity for a child.....I stand corrected

I did not that long ago.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. A week is hardly until the end of time.

And who makes the rules? The parents or the “teenager boys?” 🙄

😂 No, we do but some of us don’t let them dictate to us how many tvs we have or whether they have a tv in their room. I also give a 15 minute warning if I want it switched off which is very effective especially the first time you hold down the button and it powers off and they realise you mean business.

Can't the PS5 be plugged into a laptop?

Call social services, there’s a family with only one tv!

Ridiculous comment.

I'm with you on this.

I put YANBU as it's actually not fair on his siblings to have far less time than him. Maybe he needs a reminder on phone to go on it at 4pm!

Another consideration would be getting a family PC. A lot of the games are available on this and you can use it for homework. Ours used to share an Xbox but now have their own PC (nb. Not in their bedrooms!). We got it on Gumtree for a really good price. DS2 never uses the Xbox now and DS1 uses it all the time (prefers to PC).

Is he using some of that time he gets home first to do homework? If so, he shouldn’t be penalized for prioritizing his studies.

We only have one small TV.... with 3 teens! Basically only DH watches it.

But we compensate with PCs, laptops and smartphones!

3 hours? Bloody hell...
Does he do any sport/hang out with mates after school?

I can see both sides. And yes I have two ds's who did an awful lot of x box over the years, but going to uni ds1 now during really, and ds2 it's tailed off.

But OP, there has to be a solution here. What about a 2nd hand second one? They sell on local Facebook for a price that if ds2 wanted it that badly he could contribute to. He could offer to ....... say wash cars locally at the weekend and raise a contribution to it?

So why not buy games they can all play so they can use it at the same time?

There are tons of games out there that are suitable for multiple players. I'd get them a cheap second hand TV plus some games and let them crack on with it.