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Christmas

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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:
gingysmummy · 06/09/2013 09:32

my ds was 7 on monday we got him one for his birthday (in a sale) and some games of amazon a lego one and f1,he had been going on for years about it he totally loves it and no on it all the time x2 15 min sessons a day.the look on his face was lovely remember to buy a charger tho as for some reason they don't come with one

CancellingTheApocalypse · 06/09/2013 09:44

About the small size of the present, we are getting DS an iPod touch which is tiny so I also have got him a lo lo ball from amazon for a tenner (a ball with a ring around the middle you stand and bounce on) which can go in a large wrapped box. It will look impressive and also counteract the sitting around on computer games as its a form of fun exercise!

Flibbertyjibbet · 06/09/2013 09:51

Why would dd get a wii and ds not get a ds, if that were my children then the one wanting a ds would think it very unfair!

The two things are totally different. Wii you can play with other people, stand up, sit down, it sort of takes over the room you are in if its being used on the tv.

A ds on the other hand is a small, quiet thing that my children just like to go off in a corner with. We don't take them to restaurants but they can use them in the car because they are at an age where there's a lot of squabbling going on and I can't concentrate on driving if I am trying to referee whats going on in the back seat.

Daylight really affects the screen though they are not that good in a car during day journeys...!

Honestly, if he's been asking for one for two years, then at least he is consistent, and its not like he is asking for an xbox with shooting games like my neighbours son did last year and got it. So now I not only have to police my children's screen time but also stop them going in the neighbours house where the parents think its perfectly acceptable for 6,7,8 year olds to be playing adult war games on the xbox Sad

fuzzpig · 06/09/2013 14:39

Oooh flibberty we had the same issue with our previous neighbour :( was happy to have him here (9yo) but basically stopped letting DD go there as she was just watching him play COD, black ops etc.

youbethemummylion · 06/09/2013 14:43

Havent got much time so havent read through but if you are still unsure you can get second hand DS lites often with games included for about £40ish on gumtree etc may be compromise so if he dosent end up using it you havrnt wasted that much money

WantAnOrange · 07/09/2013 16:27

If you do get one, we trade in old games/CDs/DVDs etc a few months before xmas and use the voucher to get DS a new game. Saves on the cost of providing new games for the thing, and they do make good stocking fillers! I would never buy them new though.

Crutchlow35 · 07/09/2013 18:39

I got a second hand one on eBay for DS last year. He really likes it. He had educational games on it though. For something non educational he can play with the iPad.

chocolatespiders · 07/09/2013 18:41

DD 10 still loves her I would buy one for him. Fire card holds lots of games Smile

crazykat · 07/09/2013 18:48

I've just bought My eldest two a preowned DSi for £45 from Game to replace their DSlite. They go through phases of playing them all the time then hardly at all. They're brilliant when they can't play out when it's raining or on long journeys.

jelliebelly · 07/09/2013 18:52

I've just bought a 2nd hand one from eBay £40 good as new - wrap it in a big box! It's just another toy really and if its something he really really wants I don't see the harm in it personally.

sameoldIggi · 07/09/2013 20:17

At almost 6 he should, usually, understand the concept of an expensive present versus lots of cheaper ones. Though I agree he would expect more than just the ds under the tree!

Mine got one for his 6th birthday. We haven't completely sorted the amount of time he should use it for, but there is no doubt that he loves it. He claims "everyone in the class has one" And while I doubt that is true, it is certainly something that helps him fit in at school.

fuzzpig · 08/09/2013 09:23

DD is 6 and lots of her classmates also have their own iPods/touches as well as DSes. DD did ask if she could have her own one a while back and I just said "we've already got family ones that you can play" and that was the end of it :o

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