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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not allow dd 2.8 to "play" on wii?

57 replies

MissWooWoo · 26/01/2010 10:31

dp's sister is moving in for 4-6 weeks while she waits to complete on her flat.

She is very gadget orientated and had a wii - no doubt this will be hooked up in the living room as sure that dp will want to "have a go". I'm fine about this for evening when dd is in bed but I do not want it played at the weekend whilst she is around. I just don't want her "having a go" at such a young age and I know she'll want to as she always shows great interest in dp's siters i-phone when she plays games on it when she comes round (which I hate)

Am I being unreasonable to set some ground rules for dp's sister and say no wii when dd is up and about?

OP posts:
TheArmadillo · 26/01/2010 12:15

heavy wooden toys definately more dangerous in the short term.

Mrsdoasyouwouldbedoneby · 26/01/2010 12:16

Your rules, but I don't really see the problem? We have a wii. It's mine. The kids CAN go on it, but chose not to, the novelty has worn off. I just don't remind them it is there. LOL. They have a couple of age appropriate games which they can manage (just about). mind-numbingly DULL for me, but it is teaching them that what they do with their hands translates to movement on the screen, to follow a story/instruction etc. PLUS I realised today how important being computer/technology literate is important for schooling. It is even written into the EYFS (not sure they MEAN a wii... but certainly age appropriate software.

I'd set some ground rules with it (if it does come out), and ensure DD spends time doing other things as well as maybe join in on the wii once or twice.

Mrsdoasyouwouldbedoneby · 26/01/2010 12:18

Please excuse my typos...

StealthPolarBear · 26/01/2010 12:21

DH bought a PS1 a few months ago (yes we are behind the times ) and only really plays this driving game. DS (2y9m) played a few times which involved him driving into a tree and then trying desperately to get out. Novelty wore off for both fairly quickly and he;s not really mentioned it since (apart from wanting to unravel the wire of the handset bit)

ToccataAndFudge · 26/01/2010 12:21

oh even those tiny (less than 1inch) wooden building blocks when thrown by a 2yr old at a 5yr old from a short distance can cause quite a nasty bump on the forehead

Francagoestohollywood · 26/01/2010 12:32

Gosh OP, it looks like I'm the only one who thinks YANBU.

Francagoestohollywood · 26/01/2010 12:34

Mass hysteria? Do you find so?
My impression was that there is only a tiny minority of people on mn who is not keen to give small children access to electronic stuff.

TheArmadillo · 26/01/2010 12:41

iT's a general thing imo that the media encourages not just on mn - though it has been more obvious lately. Over computer games/mobile phones/tv watching/games consoles. And yes imo it does quite often get hysterical. e.g. wondering whether your child will be damaged cos they watched 20 mins of tv twice today Worrying about whether britain's youth are being destroyed because their parents decided that they didn't mind x watching a certain film or playing a certain computer game or having a tv in their bedroom.

It's also (partly) I think due to snobbery - I am a better parent than you because my child doesn't even know what xyz is.

Mumcentreplus · 26/01/2010 12:50

what do you think will happen if she has a go?- tenticles?..cross-eyes?

cant you just tell her she cant have a go if thats what you want?

do you have a electronic game phobia?

Francagoestohollywood · 26/01/2010 12:53

I agree that it is plain silly to blame many problems of current new generations on certain movies or video games.

However, I'm not sure all children out there have reached the perfect MN balance of technology and more traditional means of entertainment... and you will agree that playing with PS or watching tv all day (like many do) is not great.

Francagoestohollywood · 26/01/2010 12:55

What's wrong in having an electronic game phobia? Surely the OP can decide what's appropriate for her dd, according to her age?
I didn't want my 2.8 yr old dc to play with electronic games, and I have to say that they've never showed any interest at that age.

ImSoNotTelling · 26/01/2010 12:57

DH likes to do the wii and by god at his size he needs to do something.

DD (2.8) gets a controller for a different thing and does it alongside - she hasn't a clue that she's not really doing it IYSWIM. Is well cute

I can't see that it does any harm if they're out and about and doing plenty of other stuff, same as watching telly etc. The problem is when it's all the time. Everything in moderation.

OP your DC won't get addicted and want to do it all teh time as you're not going to buy one. So it won't be possible. FWIW DD never asks to do the wii, she plays with her normal toys. She just wants to join in when DH does it.

paisleyleaf · 26/01/2010 13:06

I wouldn't want a wii in our house either.
But my brother has one, and the times we visit and all have a go are great fun and interactive.
It's not going to be a permanent thing.
but, it's up to you.

Mumcentreplus · 26/01/2010 13:14

Did i say she couldn't decide?..

any kind of phobia should not be passed on imo ..your phobia your issue..obviously shes worried she cant stop a 2yr old from playing a game she doesn't her want to..or maybe she doesn't want the hassle to having to stop her

We just brought a Wii in December and they have been begging for one for 2yrs..DDs are supervised and timed when they play..everything in moderation I say...

but its up to her if she chooses to allow her or not...just wanted to find out the reasons why.

Original poster
MissWooWoo · 26/01/2010 13:18

approve highly of technology as it goes, the problem is not the wii as such, it's her age. I think 2.8 is too young (and highly doubt that aunty will have "age approproiate" games ... she's 42 herself) but am interested in what others think. Lots of people on here have cited examples of their older children using gadgets, 6,7,8 etc is a completely different kettle of fish to a 2 year old. no? My dc watches tv but it is age appropriate (cbeebies etc), I wouldn't let her watch, oh I don't know Hannah Montanah/HSM or whatever now but I might when she's older.

and pah to snobbery, I don't think it's "common" to have a wii (I'm sure if it was I'd have one already ).

OP posts:
upahill · 26/01/2010 13:27

I think you are creating problems in your head that aren't even there!
We have a Wii and I have to remind, tell, force mine to use it such as the novelty has worn off - (it cost a lot of money after all!)

Like other posts have said you can all play together and have a laugh. Your dd will get bored and go to her favourite toys.

Have a go on Wii fit. It's good fun and the yoga can be quite challenging as well. (although I got a bit upset when my Mi gave me a 'muffin top' after it weighed me!!

Original poster
MissWooWoo · 26/01/2010 13:33

oh upahill do you know me?! I do tend to let things run away in my head ...

I surmise that IABU

I think that if it gets hooked up I will just let it go and see how it pans out.

as was not expecting to come to this conclusion

OP posts:
Francagoestohollywood · 26/01/2010 13:41

Yes, I understand Mumcentreplus.

I don't think there is any phobia underlying the decision to not let a 2 yr old using an electronic game. But the OP has explained it better than me

Maleeka · 26/01/2010 13:42

We got a WII the first day it came out which involved my OH waiting overnight and grabbing a ticket the second Toys R Us opened!

It has been the best thing we ever bought and gets played with nearly every day so i feel that i really got my moneys worth.

I dont think that it will scar your child for life if she "has a go" and lets face it, its only gonna be there for a few weeks.

And the comment about being able to say "no" but not wanting to get in the situation if you dont have to, is a bit pants frankly.

I'm still saying "no" and my kids are 6, 11 and 12!

I still remember my smug face when my sons teacher told me that he is in the top class for reading, well lets face it, you dont complete the legend of zelda without some serious reading

upahill · 26/01/2010 13:45

Mrswooo... I'm sorry if you took that the wrong way, I was just thinking about how I deal with things and sometimes a problem that isn't there becomes a huge mountain and it hasn't even been created yet!! (I'm full of what if's! drives DH mad at times tbh)

Original poster
MissWooWoo · 26/01/2010 13:47

no it's not Maleeka

if I didn't want my dd to have an ice cream I wouldn't pop one in front of her and then say no would I?

If a situation can be avoided surely this is better than dealing with a situation you have helped to bring about ... it's not like we need a wii present in the house is it?

Anyhow, I have decided IABU so if I have to say no then I will. I really want to say "so there" but of course being a grown up I won't

OP posts:
Mumcentreplus · 26/01/2010 13:48

I only suggested the phobia because OP said -'she always shows great interest in dp's siters i-phone when she plays games on it when she comes round (which I hate)'...and then she was worried about a games console..thought she might not like games or something..

Original poster
MissWooWoo · 26/01/2010 13:49

oh I didn't take it the wrong way upahill at all - I think what you said rings true

OP posts:
Original poster
MissWooWoo · 26/01/2010 13:52

oh, just to clear up "which I hate" is really to do with thinking it's a bit crap to come round and play on your iphone (age 42) when you can do that anytime (she has lots of free time). I'd much rather she played with my dd rather than letting my dd have a look at what she's doing iyswim

OP posts:
TheArmadillo · 26/01/2010 13:54

I agree with the iphone thing - it's not about technology just manners

I hate people playing with their phones all the time, it's just rude.