Help me convince my dh to buy a family ps4

[OnTrain]

I’m not in to gaming and neither is my dh. But we have a 9yr old boy who’s keen for his first games console.

We have a 5yr old too and they both have tablets, they’re allowed them on weekends only.

My dh is dead set against consoles as he thinks they’ll just be addictive and exhibit aggresive behaviour.

But I think it’ll be fine as long as we restrict the use.

I thought I could sell it as a family present as I understand you can watch dvds and the telly through them?

We only have one telly in the house, and plan to keep ot that way.

Can you tell me what the for and against would be with buying one please!

I don't know anything about consoles I'm afraid but selling it as a family game - the games like the wii where it's active and moving and all the family plays might be the way to go initially

My ds (6) is allowed to use the ps4 on weeekends. It's his dads ps4 but we asked Santa to bring ds his own controller last Christmas so he's allowed to play on it.

He plays minecraft or Lego games (Harry Potter, superheroes etc).

We watch tv on apps through it, use it as blu Ray player (very occasionally).

It's just another normal piece of household tech and hasn't sent anybody here crazy yet.

So sometimes ds will play on tablet Sunday mornings or sometimes the ps4 after lunch but before swimming lesson.

As you said, restriction is key. We have no problems.

Forgot to say ds cannot have tablet or ps4 in same day. It's one or the other which he likes and we agree a time to come off. At first when we had disagreements about turning it off I would say ok, you haven't stuck to the agreement so you are missing your turn next weekend.

A few turns of that and he understands the rule, so no problems at all.

We have a PS4 (and had a PS1, PS2 and PS3!). My dc are not addicted or aggressive. They have a set amount of time they're allowed on it and they aren't allowed to play anything that's unsuitable for their age. There are loads of lovely, fun games suitable for all ages and many you can play together with other family members.

A games console is no different to a tablet. If it's used to play games together it's better. Always been the same rule in our house, ds10 picks two days a week when he can play on the PS4 or tablet, one or the other. He's not allowed on any device after tea as it affects his sleep. At his dad's house he's on a console constantly with very little interaction with people. He comes home in a dreadful mood, really tired, argumentative and just a pain in the arse. That's why his time is limited at home.

You're strict enough to keep up with tablets only at weekends then you will be fine! If it was in the living room then they will understand they cannot monopolize the family room

I would go for a switch over a PS4. Much more family friendly and they can play at the same time.

We use the PS4 as a family for:
Playing blu rays
Accessing Netflix/amazon prime/iPlayer/YouTube
Playing Lego games

My OH uses it to play his games in the evening when kids are in bed. I will not allow our kids to have access to anything violent.

So it's not a bad thing to have for family entertainment.

Thank you all. Lots of good arguments!

Wrong, that was my next question! We have amazon fire stick and access all of our apps (mainly Netflix amazon video, bbc iplayer and spotify) can we access all of them througj a
Ps4?

Don't know about Spotify (I don't have that) but yes, you can access loads of apps via the PS4 🙂

Great, thanks wrong