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Parenting

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Original poster

Am I the only parent who won't allow an xbox, DS or playstation in the house?

509 replies

MINIBondGirl · 05/05/2012 16:10

Am I being unrealistic in this issue as I only know a very few parents who feel the same? Having seen other children playing on them (sometimes looking like zombies and getting headaches) I am really put off. I know some parents restrict usage and don't allow unsuitable games but a lot don't.

As my boys are 4 & 7 I would rather they played outside, used their imaginations and concentrated on school for now.

Realistic or not?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

poppyboo · 06/05/2012 22:28

Exotic fruits, I agree moderation is the key. I think parents are allowed to decide not to have a gaming machine in the house if they think it will have a negative impact on their DC. I'm all for moderation in everything else though!
I'm leaving this thread here now, don't want the negativity of some of the mumsnet posters in my life.

Huansagain · 06/05/2012 22:28

I remember in my youth being told Dungons and Dragons would turn me into a Devil worshipper.

poppyboo · 06/05/2012 22:29

Hob one last thing, I can hardly talk about my DHs kids on mumsnet!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 06/05/2012 22:31

No I'm sure you can't but if you are so sure of your facts there must be some research or anectodal evidence you can show to back up your sweeping generalisations statements.

AmberLeaf · 06/05/2012 22:33

I'm leaving this thread here now, don't want the negativity of some of the mumsnet posters in my life

Are you not wearing your tinfoil hat?

LineRunner · 06/05/2012 22:41

Wise words, Fallen.

Huansagain · 07/05/2012 08:36

I work with teenage boys.

They all seem to have x-boxes, but I'd be far more concerned about drugs, alcohol and smoking than how much time they play on consoles.

The boys I know who get into trouble aren't spending too much time playing Fifa 12, they're finding ways of purchasing alcohol and getting drunk.

exoticfruits · 07/05/2012 09:04

I don't think that parents of young DCs are even considering that possibility, Huansagain!

Groovee · 07/05/2012 09:12

We have a wii which was bought for me. It rarely gets played now but when it was the really bad snow and I'd just had emergency surgery, the kids and I had fun on it as it wasn't too much effort. The snow was too deep that had I fallen (which I did twice) then I would have been stuck. So dad and grandad did the snow thing.

D's has a PS3 which him and dh play often. Not daily but sometimes after dinner. I've played family games might a few times too.

seeker · 07/05/2012 09:17

It is actually possible to have games consoles and play on them and still be outdoorsy, interested kids.

It's not an either/or, you know!

seeker · 07/05/2012 09:33

This sort of thread always reminds me of a music group I used to go to with dd when she was a toddler. There was a song about going on a picnic and it went round the circle with each child suggesting something to take. It was incredibly stressful- as it got closer and closer to our turn with every chilld saying rice cakes, bread sticks, strawberries, hommous- and I just knew dd was going to say "chocolate"!

NiceHamione · 07/05/2012 09:41

I have been there seeker, the look of pride on their faces.

KatieScarlett2833 · 07/05/2012 09:50

I'm laughing about parental example being the be all, etc.

I never watch TV except the news, more I-player, 4-OD if there is something I really want to see, DC watch TV often.
I read everything, have thousands of books. DC will only pick up a book if it is required by school.
I eat anally healthily (chocolate excluded), DC will not eat our lovingly prepared from scratch suppers.
I never touch the consoles, DS does play COD with his "crew"???

However they are healthy, bright, kind, very sporty, have lots of friends, amusing, tidy and usually responsible.

I claim responsibility for their verbal diahorrea though.

Pagwatch · 07/05/2012 10:13

I had to take DD to a swimming gala yesterday (a real one - not wii swim )

Did poppy ever come up with where I said 'i have an older child' blah blah ?

KatieScarlett2833 · 07/05/2012 10:15

No, it was more all your MN mates will be along to back you up Pag.....

Huansagain · 07/05/2012 10:19

This always reminds me of Mumsnet. (I am a father)

AmberLeaf · 07/05/2012 10:21

Aww I loved cold feet!

KatieScarlett2833 · 07/05/2012 10:22

Brilliant.

I'm sure I was at that group Huan

badtasteflump · 07/05/2012 10:29

Here here Huan

My teenager has an xbox, a wii, a 3ds & a playstation. He also collects 'retro' games consoles such has a Dreamcast and a Sega Megadrive. He loves gaming, as do most of his friends. And yes some days, like today when it's raining and we've not made plans, he will probably spend a good part of the day playing on it/them. But when he emerges from his pit, he is (teenage hormones aside) a polite, kind and articulate member of our family!

Within reason, I don't see the point in standing over him, policing the time he spends on his consoles - which may I add - he also spends chatting and laughing with his friends on xbox live, when he isn't actually seeing them. He does his homework when he should; is getting good grades and is happy. So I'm happy too, and relieved that having a teenager isn't quite as scarey as I thought it may be (so far.....)

badtasteflump · 07/05/2012 10:29

such 'as'

Pagwatch · 07/05/2012 10:33

The thread seems to have become particularly unpleasant when posters with younger children have clashed with parents of older teenagers.
I guess, to put smuggery aside, it is easy to feel lectured at when the parent of an older child says 'well it will be different when they are a teenager'. Easy to assume they do not see how committed you are to your policy on tv or gaming or food. Sometimes that tips into an inference that the parents with teens don't care or have given up which is pretty rude but I guess understandable.

The trouble is of course that until you have a teenager it actually is impossible to really understand it - in the way that until you have a child it is impossible to understand it too. You can imagine what it will be like but the reality will always be a bit different.

The risk therefore is that to assert with 100% conviction that you will do this or you will not do that is hard to take seriously. To determine exactly how you will parent when a child is 15 when you haven't got Hal way there yet is just placing a burden upon both of you that seems pointless to me. And to what end? It achieves nothing just now other than to project a moral highground.

Parenting a hypothetical teenager is a piece of piss. I could do that.
But the reality may be having a hard working, polite, respectful, active 15 year old who has just aced 10 As in his mock GCSEs asking you for an x-box for his birthday to play on the one night a week he doesn't have training. I would really hope that at that point choosing to say no because you are committed to no electronic games in the house would at least be a bit hard.

Pagwatch · 07/05/2012 10:34

Oh Katie, my mates are so reliable. What would I do without them

KatieScarlett2833 · 07/05/2012 10:51

I was Poppy when my DC were young. No TV, no consoles, no sugar, every class going including shudder music group....

Then they went to secondary school...

I am horrified at how smug I was.

Coconutty · 07/05/2012 11:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thumbwitch · 07/05/2012 11:51

Coconutty - you left out a vital detail there - how old was your DN at the time?

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