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Original poster

DS wants a Nintendo DS for Christmas - do I try to put him off it?

37 replies

jennymac · 04/09/2013 14:05

DS (will be 6yr in Jan) has wanted a ds for a couple of years and I have managed to put him off thus far. However, he is asking again this year and I am wondering if I should just give in. Reasons for not wanting him to have one is (a) personal dislike of any computer type game - would rather see dc play with their toys, lego etc (for a few more years at least), (b) the cost - they are pretty expensive and look like nothing so would still have to get a few other things to make it look like Christmas! and (c) I'm not convinced that he would really use it that much anyway.

OP posts:
Shinyshoes1 · 04/09/2013 14:09

Hmm difficult one ... Tbh I would and monitor the time he's on it , mine are only allowed an hour on consoles weekdays and a couple of hours weekends. There are lots of educational games that your DS can play

I wouldn't buy him anything else though tbh ... If that's the only thing he wants why

Shinyshoes1 · 04/09/2013 14:10

Why would you ...

WowOoo · 04/09/2013 14:13

Ds had one at around that age. He did a junior brain training game and really got into it. Always wanted to play Mario though. He still likes it.

I'd rather him play with it than an iphone/iPad/

If you travel a lot they are great for keeping kids occupied in airports.

ilovepowerhoop · 04/09/2013 14:26

both mine have had them since they were quite young and they go through phases of using them/not using them. If its what he wants then I would just get him it.

pinkpiggy · 04/09/2013 14:29

Mine love their Ds consoles and I restrict the time they have on them. They are perfect for long journeys and early Sunday mornings Wink

Mumof3xx · 04/09/2013 14:32

My ds same age has also asked for one but I've said not til he's 7

Reasons being:
4 yr old ds will also want one
They already have an innotab 2
And a leappad
And a vtec smile computer system

Sick of seeing them on computers I literally have to ban them and shoo them outside for fresh air

Flibbertyjibbet · 04/09/2013 14:46

We saw one at a car boot sale earlier this year when ds2 (just 7) knew he had £25 birthday money... And the dsi was only £20 with one of those game cards that has lots of games on. So couldn't reallyk out much of an argument up as he was spending his own money AND it was an incredible bargain.

Best £20 I ever spent. So much so that before hols we got ds1(8.5) one from the cash generator shop before hols, think that one was £40 but just a ds, no camera.

The games are much better than the ones they play on the iPod or phone, and the gadget is physically bigger, so they don't seem to forget where they put it, like they always do with the iPod which is dps with all his music on.

We use it to collect points or minutes for 'gadget time', they were brill going on hols as I was flying on my own with the kids this time, and they use their pocket money/spelling test money to choose games off eBay/amazon/from the game exchange.

If this is the one thing he wants for Xmas, then you don't need to get anything else, he will be made up to get one. Mine had also wanted them for a couple of years so they were thrilled to bits to finally get them.

In fact all they want this Xmas is a Marie game so it could be a very cheap year this year ha ha.

Original poster
jennymac · 04/09/2013 15:22

I just think because of the size etc it looks tiny and his ds's stash will look a lot more impressive. Obviously because he thinks that Santa provides the presents and he has no concept of what things cost anyway, he probably won't understand why he can only ask for one thing. Usually we let him and his ds put 3 items on their santa list (generally in the past, these 3 items would still have come to a lot less than the cost of one DS.)

OP posts:
fuzzpig · 04/09/2013 17:57

I would go for a used one probably. I wouldn't get my DD her own one, or any console, BUT she has access to various family gadgets so she has (strictly limited) play time on them and isn't missing out.

It is difficult to get young DCs to understand value for money etc but maybe he would change his mind if he knew it would mean no lego etc?

Katieweasel · 04/09/2013 19:55

Wrap the DS in a really large box. That way it not only looks impressive but it also contains what he wants

FourGates · 04/09/2013 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RhondaJean · 04/09/2013 20:08

I think the DS is destined to e the Mr Frosty of the decade. Lots of disgruntled adults posting in twenty or thirty years about how they wanted one and asked for one every year and never got one. Except it is actually worth the money.

Point one - if it's the only thing he really wants why on earth wouldn't you get him it (if you could afford to). Having a gadget doesn't mean you stop parenting - you can ensure he has age appropriate games and only as much access to it as you think he should.

Point two - Katie's idea of putting it in a big box is great. You could also get a couple of cheap huge toys - as an example Argos has the paper jamz guitars for £3.99 just now, he would enjoy playing with it,it's the same size as a real guitar (except flat).

Madamecastafiore · 04/09/2013 20:09

DS had one at 5, can take or leave computer games. BIL refused to let nephew have any electronic games until age 10 and the kid is totally obsessed.

DS's Xbox can go unused for weeks but we have the nephew round and it is hell to get him of the bloody thing.

TippiShagpile · 04/09/2013 20:12

My dc had them at 7. They get 20 minutes on it each day at the weekend (none during the week). Tbh, they're not that bothered by them and would rather go and play outside but letting them have them has stopped them pestering.

OnChickWatch · 04/09/2013 20:28

You can pick up a second hand ds very very cheaply now, I think they have dramatically reduced in popularity since the iPad/tablet arrived.

Doshusallie · 04/09/2013 20:31

Both mine have had one for a couple of years. They are 7 and 9. They use them ALOT, because I keep them and all the games in the car and they play with them when we are driving somewhere.

TheOnlyPink · 04/09/2013 20:35

My ds got one last christmas, he was 5. I had told him running up to christmas that if he wanted it that he probably wasnt going to get mch else as it was very hard for the elves to make, the tiny camera and the screens etc, and they wouldnt have time to make him anything else. He was more than understanding about it, and his pile was very small (especially compared to his 1 year old brother!) but he was thrilled with it. Quality over quantity!

He doesnt play with it a whole lot, when he gets a new game he spends a few days wanting it all the time, but then he goes back to the lego etc. He might play it for a while at the weekends or if we are going somewhere boring, but its not a struggle to keep him away from it, its just like any other toy that he loves and he plays it as part of the rotation!

I would say it is huge value for money!

ladygoingGaga · 05/09/2013 07:49

My DS has one, he loves it. Begs to go on it, but I restrict it to weekends, holiday and its really useful for the car!
I bought a new one, but buy all the games off ebay, and never pay more than about 7 or 8 pounds for a game.

LegoAcupuncture · 05/09/2013 08:04

If you're not sure on the size, Nintendo are bringing out a 2DS next month which is completely flat, no flip screen and you can also pay the new 3ds games on it but without the 3ds effect which isn't good for children under 7. The price is cheaper as well, only £109 or so.

Here

Original poster
jennymac · 05/09/2013 09:42

Thanks lego for the link -£109 is a pretty good price. Still might try to talk him out of it for another year however as I'm not convinced that he would be that interested in it if he had one. I just think because he has seen my nephews with them it is something he shoud have it also - he first asked for it when he was 2! I have a kindle fire and my dd(7yrs) would ask to play games on it quite often but ds rarely wants to or if he does, gets bored after a couple of minutes. Dd is thinking of asking Santa for a wii this year, so if she gets that it might satisfy ds re his gaming needs till next Christmas.

OP posts:
ZombieBelle · 05/09/2013 14:05

I gave DS my old one for his birthday (he's five) as he likes playing on my ipad and on the consoles. To be honest, he wasnt that taken with it and spent his time playing his other new toys. one week later, i think he's forgotten about it!

I dont think it would be fair though, to let santa give DD a Wii and not DS his umm DS especially when there isn't even that big an age gap between them. Unless you bought a wii as a family present and DD got something else

jamtoast12 · 05/09/2013 19:26

Mine had ipod touches but I limit them to 40 min per day max (2x 20 min) but tbh I can't remember the last time mine went on them! I'd get one if he wants it but with strict controls.

E.g I actually don't let my kids use them in cars or restaurants as I think its important family time to chat etc, more so in restaurants during family meals - I hate seeing parents chatting and kids engrossed in technology when eating out. They can be anti social I think.

jamtoast12 · 05/09/2013 19:28

I do think a wii is totally different to a DS though. A wii can be a social family device and can get them up and being active. Much better idea!

Original poster
jennymac · 06/09/2013 09:14

Jam - I agree with you about the restaurants - we go out for coffee and lunch a lot at weekends and friends have said that we would find the ds handy for that but personally I feel that is family time and I would rather use that time to chat to the kids rather than seeing their heads stuck in a console. Otherwise, what is the point in taking them out!

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 06/09/2013 09:23

I made my dd wait until she was 9 and she doesn't play on it much.

Don't get him one if you don't want him to have one as once he has one, its going to be your job to monitor it.

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