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

[MINIBondGirl]

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?

Fine at the age they are, in fact a good idea, but not realistic when older.

I think my dc didn't have anything at those ages - well the boys didn't - but they have them now.
But I think your comment about 'running about and using their imaginations instead' is a little daft. My ds is 18, plays rugby, golf, cricket, writes, paints, cycles etc etc and likes his x-box.
My dd is 10 does gym, swims, makes up dance routines, paints, makes things out of the recycling, writes song, plays electric guitar, plays for hours in the garden, makes dens and various other stuff. She sometimes plays on her wii.

It is entirely possible to have a games consol and still be a rounded, imaginative and active child. The assumption that it is either/or is a bit baffling to me.

well Im seriously considering putting the baby in the garden on a leash (pink one with diamantes) because she keeps ramming my PS3 with her walkie pen.

I think that it's fine - you may find that you alter your views slightly as your DC mature though. Just don't think that it's all or nothing - having a Wii doesn't stop my DC from being very active, probably happiest when playing in the garden etc etc. Personally I prefer things like a Wii (which we play on as a family) to something like a DS, which is more solitary, but our Wii is only used occasionally - never during the week, and often it's unused for weeks on end if the weather's nice!

I got through my own childhood without a games console (grew up in the middle of the whole Playstation One, Nintendo genre). Never did me any harm and I only have vague memories of playing them at other people's houses. However, it was more common to 'play out' back then, and I do think these days there are lots of kids who don't spend full days outside alone/with friends.

I would have no problem at all refusing to allow a games console whilst my DD is in primary school, but would re-think once they get to 11 and secondary school. Purely as I think at that age school gets more intense and they need a bit of 'downtime' each evening and once homework and dinner is done, there's only so many board games you can play to fill that time before bed when it really is too late to go out.

I'd be harsh on how long they were allowed on it though.

I dont think it is unreasonable at the age they are now, however, if they ask for a console for say, their 15th birthday present it may be harder to say no to.

We never had any when DSs were that age.
Started with Nintendos when they were 9 and 11.
Teenagers now and DS1(16) has x box, DS2 (14) mainly plays Minecraft on PC.

My dc manage to find time to spend plenty of time running around and using their imaginations as well as playing on the Wii - it's not mutually exclusive!

We had a lot of fun playing on Wii Party earlier on, my dc (8 & 10), me and my mum.

Then we went for a walk.

I love our Wii and we've had hours of fun playing on it together.

southeastastra - not a generalisation at all. I have seen it first hand. The worst was when a friends 9yr old came downstairs after being sick with a headache and his Mum said he'd been playing on his xbox for the last 5+hrs

I'm not totally anal about it all - I do let them on the pc and occasionally play games on my phone etc. - when they've done their homework

We don't have a wii/xbox etc. Ds (7) has a DS but hasn't used it in over 18 months since he lost the charger. He did get an Ipod for Christmas but doesn't play with it every day and is more likely to be listening to music and pestering me for downloads than playing games.

We bought him a playhouse for his 5th birthday. We really struggled to find one to view locally. All the garden centres said there was no demand for playhouses as children spend so much time playing computer games instead of playing outside. I would say that is an accurate reflection when I think of ds's friends. He's been out in the garden this afternoon sitting on the veranda of the playhouse wittling a stick into a javelin.

My Ds managed to use consoles and do all the playing outside etc as well.

He is not a zombie as far as I know.

No, you are not the only one . We don't have anything apart from an ancient PS2 that my DS (now 11) had to buy himself from a charity shop.

I know we are very old fashioned, neither my DH or I would have any idea what to do on an X box/Wii/Ipad etc etc. We have one TV that we share as a family.

The expense of all those gadgets is what horrifies me, I personally couldn't justify spending so much money on those sorts of things - I don't miss them because I don't know what they can do .

And indeed my son went to town earlier to buy a new book and has spent all afternoon reading it. And it's not about zombies.

Just because you have seen it, does not mean it is not a generalisation . In fact having seen something once and assuming it must be the case for everyone is a generalisation.

MINIBond - ' not a generalisation at all'

But it must be, you're implying that all DC end up in a state after this type of play, which is simply not true!

I know that when it poured with rain all last weekend (and my DC had left their wellies and coats at school - don't ask) and we all leapt around the living room doing various sport and dance things for 30 mins it was great, actually! No zombification at all!

Surely, as with everything, it's balance?

My DS also chats to his mates on his XBox after school. They prefer it to mobiles.

Totally realistic at this age. Ds had to wait til the xmas after he was 7 for a DS and DD has had to do the same. Playing time is strictly limited.
You will find it harder as they get older but I cant see the point of buying ipods and consoles for small children - show me a young child that doesnt like making mud pies, playing with water, lego, making dens etc.
We now have a Wii that DS is 10 but tend to play family/fun games dance, bowling, mario karts etc.

You are being perfectly sensible IMO.
Mine didn't have anything like that at that age.
If it were down to me, then it would have stayed that way for ever.
Possible exception were the ds's - mine did use them a lot when they were on journeys, or one was having to wait while another was at a swimming lesson, etc., etc.

No. We don't have one and I have no plans to get one. The DC's are only 5 and 3 though. I've never even played a Wii, Xbox or DS .

Mind you, I hardly ration cbeebies so am in no position to criticise.

DC (7 and 9) have a WII, they are allowed to go on it for 40 mins, sometimes longer (half term). It set a kitchen timer.

Do what you want.
I love my x box, ps3 and wii.
We have great fun on them as a family and the kids like to have their mates round and play as well.

Kids can't always play outside when the weather is awful so they are a useful resource.
Nothing up with them, it's how they are used is the issue.

It is totally up to you and what you want for your family.
We have a wii which only gets used at the end of the day 20mins each if the children have more than ten smilies on their reward charts. I have three children who bend over backwards to help me out around the house and produce lovely school work. Bribary I know but it works a treat and is quite fun for all of us esp if we pool their 20min and have a longer family session.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on which way you look at it) it's DH's job - so we have a house full of them in duplicate (and some in triplicate) with all the games and accessories. However - our DS's are only allowed on them in the school holidays. Absolutely not in term time.
They do have their distinct advantages, but also huge disadvantages. There is alot of research that falls down on both sides of the fence. DH can't see what the problem is, I can't stand them and can see the change in DS's behaviour and personalities almost immediately. Hence the compromise.

Can someone explain (in simple language ) what the difference is between Xbox/DS/ps and Wii - and anything else in this category that I have forgotton. And what you actually do with them?

My DS does have a PS2 and as far as I can see it is just using a controller to move characters around on a screen - am I missing something ?

conors My DH would love your DH's job

ragwort A DS is handheld and so you can take it with you places. A Wii is a bit more active gaming, but with the xbox and PS I dont really see much difference TBH.

I agree the consoles themselves aren't the actual problem its what you do with them.

Like other posters said all in moderation and we have x box,wii, ds each, ipod touch each and older 2 have phones. They also have bikes, skates, kayak, surfboards and swim, run and climb trees. [Although walking the dog is tricky but their virtual dog is the best cared for pup in the world!!]
I always wonder that such a deal is made out of consoles but tv is classed as ok