not to buy my ds a ds for his 6th birthday?

[mrspoolie]

My DS is about to turn 6 and is nagging for a Nintendo DS for his birthday. He is already obsessed with Moshi Monsters,Club Penguin etc and i don't want him to become so addicted to computer related activities that he loses the ability to interact with live human beings. On the other hand, I don't want to be a meanie. My DH suggested we buy him 'something more interactive' like Magnetix...personally I think that'll make him hate us.What to do?

unless there are special needs involved, I would think sneaking downstairs to use a PC is a parental supervision issue rather than a using electronic equipment issue.

These things are attractive. The games are fun. The educational stuff, is well, educational.

My ds is 9. The moment I say enough he is logging off. But I tend to give him five minutes to finish up, finish a game or whatever, because that is respectful to his time.

defineme, it's not actually in the instructions that they must sneak downstairs to get it, I have never heard of this amongst DS's DS playing mates.

It's like saying that you are worried about having a car crash if you by a car or choking on a Malteesa if you buy a packet, rare and hardly likely.

It's a bit of a panicy way to look at it, they could sneak down for a biscuit/sweets/apple/TV you going to stop those too?

I think 5 is too young, 6 is a good starting age.

Totally reasonable. 6-y-os really, really don't need Nintendos.

My dd has a ds, she got it when she was 6. Although she has many games, she only really plays with a maths one and a couple of looking after pets ones. She can go for months without picking it up, but it is useful for long car journeys.

Hello, I managed not to give in, my DS almost 8 now.

He has to learn that he cannot always have what he wants.

But, it seems to be the only thing he wants for his birthday. Will need a good long think about it.

He has a slightly obsessive personality so not keen, can really forsee trouble here!

My DS and DD would love a DS - whenever they are round a family member's house that has one they are transfixed. I personally feel that I would rather not buy one for them right now (they are almost 7 and 5 1/2 respectively). They enjoy puzzles, art and crafts, playing at the park and making up games amongst themselves. I would rather let this creativity continue for as long as possible. We have a family computer and my DH has a playstation3 - they are allowed limited use of these and I think that is enough.

Does he have any other things to play games on ie games consoles or would this be the first?