My kids sat on Santa’s lap at the mall on Friday–I know, I can’t believe he was in the mall already either, but I figured that, for starters, there was no line so it was the perfect time, and second, the sooner I hear them tell Santa what they want, the sooner I can start shopping.
Well, Buckaroo told Santa he wanted a Nintendo DS.
I knew it was coming–he’s been talking it up for weeks now, going back and forth between that and a new VSmile since his broke recently. At first, I thought it was a great idea. I personally like the idea of hand-held video games ’cause with the Wii, he just hogs my TV! But, all kidding aside, I’m not against video games at all. I see the good things that he has, in fact, learned from them, and he is in no way hooked to them to the point where he won’t engage in other activities. He gets plenty of imaginary play, plenty of educational play, plenty of active play, and so on. I know he’d choose arts & crafts over a video game anyway! But, in my opinion, they definitely do have a time and a place in a boys life!
But, on the down side, I am just not sure he is ready for a DS just yet. We have a Wii, and he barely plays it. He has about 4 or 5 games for it, and it’s not something we turn on daily, yet when he does he completely loves it! I feel like maybe getting another game or two for that, and possibly a new VSmile that he can use the games he already has with, that are in fact educational, or maybe a new computer game instead, is the better option.
Either way, I have a DS sitting here. I bought it yesterday just in case I made up my mind and they were sold out because that would just be my luck. I am just so damn torn about whether to keep it or return it.
It bothers me that I spent $150 and got the DS and 1 game, which might I add I pointed it out to him on the computer and he said, “nah, don’t want that one!” I told myself I’d spend just $200 on each of them for Christmas, and now with what I have left I can barely buy him some of the other toys he was asking for. Is he ready, at just 5 1/2 years old, to take care of such an expensive toy?
I just don’t know what to do.
And I don’t know why I care so much.
And I don’t even know if he really wants one or understands what it truly is. He may think he wants it, but trust me, I am his neck. Maybe I am giving myself more credit that I deserve, but I am fairly certain that I could talk him out of the DS if I wanted to. Will he genuinely flip for it in another year, when he can really understand the concept of wanting it??
Or, should I just stop obsessing and questioning it, and just give him the darn toy this year??
So, I am turning to you. What are your thoughts? Do you kids have one? How old were they when they got one? Those with video-games-are-not-suitable-for-kids mentality need not comment (sorry! Not trying to be rude. I’m just not looking for that sort of advice…)
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
We plan on getting a DS for our six year old this year. Did you get the one that you purchase your games on-line or did you get the older version? We're still trying to decide what to do about that…
My son loves his DS. He got it from Santa when he was six, the only thing is to be careful not to lose the stupid pen! Just make sure he puts it back in the slot on the DS!
I bought my son one a few years ago thnking he would love it, but he was a little too young for it and didn't actually use it for another year or so.
Now he's almost 10 and I've gotten my money's worth out of it. He handed me his list today and on it is the Nintendo DSI. So I guess I will be shopping around for THAT one.
Good luck whatever you decide. And don't feel badly about picking out the wrong game. It's a mom thing
No I do not have this problem just yet.. I am not sure what to say either. Sorry..
My little brother, who is 8, (weird, huh!) got his about two years ago. He is a video junkie and video games ARE detrimental to his health! Just him though, I think there is a place for other kids. Anyways, he still plays the darn thing all the time.
Sadly I just sort of mentally had this same debate with myself, but Brayden is only 4 1/2…I decided on just getting him a wii game or two instead. I decided to wait on the DS until he gets a lil bit older and can really appreciate it. Plus in a year or two they will probably either have a better or cheaper version. I really didn't want one more item needing me to constantly spend out more money for another game…instead he can just play on the computer for now.
I think if it uses most of your budget up for Christmas, maybe you could wait until his 6th or 7th birthday..then he won't notice he doesn't get too many presents from mom and dad because he will have gifts from his friends to open too.
Good luck on deciding!
This is what all 3 of my boys want…I think you should return it though…He will probably appreciate it more when he's a little older…I am worried about getting one for E– being 5–but he follows along with my 9 and 7 year old. Just my Opinion though…do what your gut tell ya!!
IMHO…. my DD did not get one until she was older. And I will not buy my boys one until they are at least 7 or so. Just because of the lack of responsibility they have! I am sure some kids would appreciate and take care of an expensive game just fine at 5 yo but not mine! I think, you know your son best. But it probably wouldn't hurt to wait a few years. Then you could get the newest, cheapest version!
My first son got his for his 7th birthday. Even that took a little time for him to grow into at first because a lot of the games he liked required a lot of reading and in first grade he was still mastering that. My second son got his for his 6th birthday, and that was more because he got broken in on his big brothers. My daughter is outgrowing her leapster (which I have LOVED forever and ever) and I"m considering getting her a DS for her birthday which will be her 6th.
Honestly, if you've already bought it I'd keep it and give it to him. Find a few games he can play with and he will grow into it. Try selling the vsmile games on ebay or craigslist. You know you'll be kicking yourself next year when you go out to buy the darn thing and you say hmmm…I should have just kept it!
OH, and I noticed someone mentioned keeping track of the stylus….just buy an extra pack of them (they are cheap enough) and put them in his stocking.
My daughter was 8 when she got hers. She saved for it and then I chipped in the rest. I was against it at first (a lot of your same reasons) but it is seriously THE BEST TOY EVER!!!
She loves mind games and I highly recommend Prof Layton and the Diabolical Box or The Mystery Case Files.
My daughter got one for her 12th birthday. Now my 7 yo son wants one for Christmas (or an iPod he says.) Great. He has a Didj and plays with it but not a whole lot. I think the DS would go in the closet and I'd be mad. Also the games on the Didj are much more educational.
I bought my daughter the Leapfrog Leapster last year, way to early for her age I think because she couldn't figure it out and left it sit for a good while. But now she's enjoying it! She played the DS once on an airplane with another little girl and loved the coloring option. So, I think that if you can find age appropriate games/activities and he has a balance already with all the things he does for entertainment, then go for it! Question is, will he understand the quality vs. quantity thing when he only has the one or two presents under the tree? Although, if you have family members like mine, the underside of your tree will be plenty full from spoiling Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles, Friends etc…