3.5 playing on the PS3 with daddy?!

[pipkin35]

My 3.5 yr old DS has 'played' on the PS3 with dad once or twice. Now, he asks for it almost daily. OH reckons 20 mins after tea and before bed (usually 6.30-7pm and then story etc...for a 7.20pm bedtime) is OK since they 'do it together' - usually Little Big planet or a 'demo' - all 'cartoony'. Our TV works via the PS3 controller, so he is actually quite adept at pressing X to turn things on etc...

I hate the idea of this, I think DS watches too much TV anyway and am trying to limit this (he's not very active/outdoorsy but am meeting lots of relunctance doing other activities) but, it seems mean of me to insist he can't play it with dad, surely it's better than more 'blank' CBBC watching?!

3.5 year old had a big tantrum the other day when we switched it off, but now seems to 'get it' and is fine with it being turned off after a stated time. Seems to be his 'big treat'.

What would you do? And, anyone else in a similar position?

As long as he isn't playing shooting blood splattering over the screen time games then a little bit of PS3 is fine IMO. The games for kids can be quite educational and fun, and it is great quality time for DS and Dad.

Now that they have started playing on it you must be strict aout when and how long, such as never in the morning first thing as this is get ready for school time etc.

Go for it.

DS (3.11) loves playing on the wii, and would play all day if I let him. Also likes to get on the laptop to play on the games if given half the chance. We don't have shoot em up games, just fairly basic stuff like mario, mario kart, disney cars,Toystory, Kirbys Epic adventure, U Draw, lego star wars, (although guns and light sabers are on it the characters as they are lego just fall apart when hit and then reappear - endless lives!)

He also likes TV and I do limit him on both. He doesn't get to play on the wii much more than 3-4 times a week at the most, sometimes less. He is also very capable at switching it on, loading the disc etc. Have actually switched TV off just now and told him and DD no more TV today!