Partner bought our 5 yr old Nintendo switch ?

[Hellobell]

Hey all,

so we are going on a long haul flight for Easter and when we did this last year we had a small cheap game console to use on the flights with our son, he became addicted to it and 2 weeks after we arrived home it thankfully got dropped and broken by little sissy, me and my parter spoke about maybe getting another cheap one and the reason is because when we get home from the long flights I want to put it away and not feel guilty that we spent a lot of money on it, anyhow he was against the cheap one and wanted a good Nintendo switch, he’s gone out and bought one for the flight, I just feel really bad allowing my 5 yr old to have a Nintendo switch and it’s something I wanted to do when he is like 10years old.

We don’t have tablets or mobiles for our kids at home they are allowed 30mins of TV each after school but that’s pretty much it and then they play and tell me that there bored and hungry a millions times a day 😂

what would you guys do about it ? I’m planning on seeing what other families have Nintendos and what house rules you have for it and game recommendations for his age group.

he does have an addictive personality so rules are very much needed (I’m scared tbh after how difficult he was when he had the cheap console)

thanks

Hi OP,
I have 3DC (12, 7, 2) and we have alot of technology in our house;
PS5 & VR in sitting room
DS 12 got a Switch when he was around 7/8
DS 7 got a switch for Christmas just gone
We also have an arcade machine DH built that has over 2000 games on it 🙈

Both DS have been playing PS for years & here are our house rules;

-No technology before school
-Technology after school only when they have changed / eaten / emptied school bags.

• they get 1 hour of technology and they must set an alarm. When it goes off, time up! No ifs or buts.

-no technology outside of house (I told them years ago that switch / phones don't have Internet outside the house!) They know that isn't true now but they wouldn't ask now. -If they start fighting over technology... which is going to happen with brothers, it gets turned off.

They both like to play but they also have alot of activities and it isn't the be all, end all.

I probably sound very strict but like you, I could see addictive traits in the boys. It happens with technology, to children & adults! When DS12 was smaller, if his time ran on or I hadn't set an alarm for his time, when it came to turning it off, he would be in a terrible mood.
I allow an hour now but it used to be 30-45 minutes.

Just stick to your guns and your DS will soon realise he needs to follow the rules to get technology.

I can come back to you on games if you want?

Ours have had a switch for years.
I have a rule that they are only allowed on it after they have been outside, and you can put time limits on it.

They like playing untitled goose game, ultimate chicken horse and Kirby. More grown up games are animal crossing and Zelda which my son plays with his dad.

Ours started that goose game this week. In KNOTS laughing they were.
I couldn't believe it. Looks like it's something I would have played in the 90's 🤣
Looks pure s**t 😅