Advice needed -Nintendo switch

[Core85]

Hello, this is my first time posting. I really need your help…
My six year old has never really been allowed tablets or video games. We bought him a tablet with parental controls to use if we go on a long journey I.e the train, a plane etc..
This was working out fine until this summer, when out of frustration he hit the screen and smashed it.. I told him I’d try getting it fixed but that if it was impossible he wouldn’t have one and would have to wait at least until Christmas.
His younger brother (4year old) had his adenoids and tonsils out in July so the beach, swimming pools, generally getting out the house has been a problem until now so the tv has been a lifesaver (or so I thought).

The problem is that for the past month he has been asking for a Nintendo switch EVERYDAY. He threatens us constantly saying he’ll be naughty unless we buy him one. He’s turned into a rude aggressive little boy and I dread taking him anywhere. We’ve been very firm since day one saying no, we’ve tried explaining why he isn’t allowed one but I’m running out of patience. He ruins every family outing by moaning, being rude, it’s getting to be really stressful and I’m running out of options.

what do I do???

do you plan to buy the Switch at Christmas or never buy it?

maybe he keeps asking because he is unsure if/when he might get it and so is motivated to keep trying.

if you are going to get it at Christmas (100% definitely), then you could tell him now and even make a chart to count down the days etc. Explain about money and how you have to save money to buy good things.

if you are never going to buy it or you are unsure, then tell him there will NOT be a switch and that asking for a switch is very rude. Make sure there is no uncertainty. Do a marbles-in-a-jar reward system where he gains a marble for being helpful and loses one for moaning (about the switch). And then find other positive distractions for him to do instead - football or lego or baking biscuits or whatever. the demands might be partly a sign of boredom and he can't think of any other cures for boredom, so try to find some.

and he's how old? 6! six!! and you are letting a 6 year throw tantrums and bully you into giving him what he wants?

i suggest some firm but gentle parenting... parent your child rather than placate and bribe. No means NO!

I definitely think he’s bored, everything he’s been used to doing during the year has been suspended (with it being the summer holidays, school.. football.. etc).

His dad takes him to work 2-3times a week where he gets to help out in a vineyard and steers the tractor on his dads lap, they leave the house at 5am and get home at 11:30-12ish, he gets paid 5€ a day as a little wage so we’re hoping this will teach him the value of money..

Since his brother went into hospital he’s a completely different child. He spent 11 days with his Italian grandparents who gave him everything and anything upon request.
We met up with his school teacher for a pizza and she couldn’t believe the difference and said he’s become very defiant..

I have also noticed he becomes obsessed with things very easily, whether it be learning the alphabet (we were constantly at it for 2 whole days-he kept asking until he got it right)
Football.. the tv… If and when I gave him his tablet he could’ve been on it for 8 hours (that’s why I never gave it to him)..

We talked about a reward system last night and how every time he’s helpful/kind he’ll get a gold star but will also get them taken away if he’s naughty… For every ten stars I’d buy him a pack of Pokémon cards (we live abroad and found somewhere that sell them for 1€), he was made up and promised me he wouldn’t mention the NS again, it lasted until THIS AFTERNOON..

I was up for getting him a Nintendo switch for Christmas but talking to his dad who is completely against it we both agreed not to.

The problem is that for the past month he has been asking for a Nintendo switch EVERYDAY. He threatens us constantly saying he’ll be naughty unless we buy him one. He’s turned into a rude aggressive little boy and I dread taking him anywhere.

If your child is like this without a console, getting them a console will do the opposite of fixing this problem.

I've seen children that young with consoles throw absolute wobblers over playing
and behaviour being worse. At that age they aren't really mature enough in terms of following all the details and can't win the game. Cue huge strops because the game hasn't gone their way, constant crying and arguing about length of playing time.

Don't cave. He's too young.

As a hard-core gamer, don't get the child a Switch at all, and certainly not as an act of capitulation.

Wait until the Switch 2 next year, and then consider getting a Switch at half the price if he's stopped stropping. Remember that it's not just the cost of the Switch but upwards of £40 per game too.