tonight was the first time my 9 yr old went to bed without giving me a kiss and a cuddle. He was so upset and sobbing and angry. We are having a big issue with computer games. He has been asking for Call Of Duty and Assasins Creed etc, which many of his friends play. I won't allow them and have been getting grief but today we were at Game and he picked up QOS and AVATAR games which are both rated 12 containing violence and language. I told him I would check them out as the ratings seem to be a bit vague and some 12's seem relatively harmless compared to others. Well had a look on YouTube and they both seem just too violent though Avatar perhaps less so with shooting, killing etc - glamourising violence (plus I also have a 6 yr old who will be watching wanting to play). Did get him ADR Who which is a 12 but as they watch it on TV I assume it is nowhere near as violent as the other two.
This is becoming a big bone of contention, we are arguing probably daily over this and I can see my boy resenting me and getting angry, I know 9 is a funny age where they can start to cross over and can be conflicted. Just don't know how to deal with this. Seems many of the other parents have given in for an easy life so he feels left out amongst his friends and I'm the big, bad mum (dad got a cuddle though as I seem to be the mean enforcer).
I will never capitulate at this age with regards to COD and 16 and 18 rated games though will use my judgement regarding the ratings but wonder if I'm being to OTT with regards to Avatar - any mums or dads out there familiar with these games and what's your opinion.
Sorry for the long rant but it has been a sad, exhausting evening and I can see it only getting worse. Hate to see my boy moving away from me and the hate and hurt in his eyes.