Does anyone else not have video games? Does everyone have them eventually? Are we stunting our kids?

[Anonymous]

My oldest is 6 and hasn't mentioned them yet. Perhaps it is different because she is a girl?

[Anonymous]

It’s one of the major ways that tween and teen boys interact. Not the only way but one of the main ways. We don’t have the preferred game platform at this point and my son spends a lot of time at friends’ houses. Your kids are still young and I wouldn’t crack yet, though. Especially hecause they totally redo the systems every couple of years for intentional obsolescence.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t get 6 and 4 year olds a gaming system. If they want to play games, they can use an iPad.

As they get older, you can get one or not. It’s really fine either way. They won’t be outcasts and it’s not the only way boys bond. Conversely, playing video games won’t screw them up (unless they get socially weird from playing hours a day).

My kids are 11 and 13 and we have a couple of gaming systems, they like to play them, but, it’s one of many things they like. They play maybe 2 hours a week. It’s fun for them, but, not life defining or important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s one of the major ways that tween and teen boys interact. Not the only way but one of the main ways. We don’t have the preferred game platform at this point and my son spends a lot of time at friends’ houses. Your kids are still young and I wouldn’t crack yet, though. Especially hecause they totally redo the systems every couple of years for intentional obsolescence.

Many of the kids prefer gaming computers.

[Anonymous]

We didn’t at your ages either. Your kids are still very young.

[Anonymous]

12, 10, 5. No video games here.

They do like to play google doodle on the computer from time to time. And if they are over a friend’s house, they will happily play video games. But I won’t get them for our house. Such a mind waste.

[Anonymous]

Never had them, 12yr old DD. She never showed interest, even at friends' houses. She would watch them play but never once asked for one. Last year during the pandemic we flat out offered to try and buy a Switch or even a Wii or whatever and she said no.

I grew up with old school Atari, but neither DH nor I play now or ever as adults.

[Anonymous]

We have an unused Ninentendo switch in our basement. Our son just never got into it.

[Anonymous]

We tried to introduce video games on our Wii when my son was about 4 or 5, and it was miserable. He couldn't figure it out and got really frustrated with the controls. Now at age 7 we just never ever use them. We had the systems from pre-kid days and DH and I don't mind video games, but we never play them. I think in a few years we'll try again if he asks about it. I do think they are fun and a way to pass time on rainy days. But, I don't think they are mandatory or that kids will be left out if they don't play them.

[Anonymous]

I grew up without a TV in the 80s/90s. Your kids may get into games later in life or spend a lot of time playing them at friends' houses but there's definitely nothing wrong with not having them in your house if you don't want them around. I missed a chunk of cultural touchstones but I still look back on my childhood happily and am a contented (TV-less) adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s one of the major ways that tween and teen boys interact. Not the only way but one of the main ways. We don’t have the preferred game platform at this point and my son spends a lot of time at friends’ houses. Your kids are still young and I wouldn’t crack yet, though. Especially hecause they totally redo the systems every couple of years for intentional obsolescence.

NP but this is what I fear. My DD (5) already sometimes feels left out because she hasn’t watched Frozen like her friends. I can only see it getting worse when DS (2) hits elementary school.

[Anonymous]

We allowed my son to get the Switch when he was a little over 6 and I blame the pandemic. it was a total pandemic purchase, but it is popular amongst the 1st grade age-group especially for boys. He doesn't sit and play it all day and does it socially as well, like when friends come over and they want to play Mari cart together, etc. My 13 year old DD doesn't have much interest in video games. My parents would not allow us to have a nintendo growing up even though all my friends had one. I just played it at my friend's houses and still turned out fine. Video games or no video games--your kids aren't going to suffer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s one of the major ways that tween and teen boys interact. Not the only way but one of the main ways. We don’t have the preferred game platform at this point and my son spends a lot of time at friends’ houses. Your kids are still young and I wouldn’t crack yet, though. Especially hecause they totally redo the systems every couple of years for intentional obsolescence.

NP but this is what I fear. My DD (5) already sometimes feels left out because she hasn’t watched Frozen like her friends. I can only see it getting worse when DS (2) hits elementary school.

Why can't your DD watch Frozen?

[Anonymous]

I’d much rather my kids played video games than watched mindless TV or videos on YouTube.

[Anonymous]

I’m 35 and I cannot figure out how to play Minecraft. I tried to learn to teach DS and I always dig myself into a hole. I don’t get the appeal.