Anonymous
07/02/2020 12:38
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
My son gets extra Switch time if he is playing with his cousins. He doesn't get Switch time until at least 1:30 so that he has plenty of non-Switch time.
Anonymous
07/02/2020 12:25
Subject: Re:Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
100% no
Anonymous
07/02/2020 10:57
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
No, and this is why my kids don't have one yet. DH is for it and I am so against. It's hard enough getting them off the iPads.
Anonymous
07/02/2020 10:56
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Anonymous wrote:Our DS may qualify for an ADHD diagnosis in a few years, so we limit screens more than other parents with kids his age. Some kids just struggle more with screens and use them as a crutch. That being said, you do want to teach DD how to self-regulate. If you introduce video games in, say, high school, she will be less willing to listen. I see both sides.
I would ask your pediatrician. He or she knows DD better than strangers on a board, and has worked with hundreds of families.
Interesting, I'm the 10:46 poster and we suspect ADHD for our DS who has trouble with screens. He's only six though and hasn't been tested yet. Is this more common for kids with ADHD?
Anonymous
07/02/2020 10:53
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Our DS may qualify for an ADHD diagnosis in a few years, so we limit screens more than other parents with kids his age. Some kids just struggle more with screens and use them as a crutch. That being said, you do want to teach DD how to self-regulate. If you introduce video games in, say, high school, she will be less willing to listen. I see both sides.
I would ask your pediatrician. He or she knows DD better than strangers on a board, and has worked with hundreds of families.
I would ask your pediatrician. He or she knows DD better than strangers on a board, and has worked with hundreds of families.
Anonymous
07/02/2020 10:46
Subject: Re:Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
We have held off buying a game system because one of our children has a difficult time with screens. He sort of gets obsessed and we have to set firm limits. He will also cry when we turn them off. We will revisit when he is older and can better regulate. I believe part of it is his personality and part of it is maturity. I do worry that he is more prone to addictive behaviors so it is something we will work on and talk about it. We limit screens in our house, but our goal for our kids that they learn to self-regulate with age.
Our other child is like your boy--likes video games and screens but will eventually move on to something else.
Our other child is like your boy--likes video games and screens but will eventually move on to something else.
Anonymous
07/02/2020 08:10
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
If your child is already reasonably good at self-regulation, sure. I would not buy an attractive video game system with the idea that it would teach a child who had trouble with self-regulation how to get better at that!
Anonymous
07/01/2020 17:41
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Honestly, we got one and I regret it pretty darn often. I am exhausted by the limit setting and the asking to play and the request for more games, etc.
My kid was also a lot more active before we got it. Now, it is his default thing to do during any down time.
Life was easier pre-Switch.
My kid was also a lot more active before we got it. Now, it is his default thing to do during any down time.
Life was easier pre-Switch.
Anonymous
07/01/2020 17:25
Subject: Re:Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Anonymous wrote:YES! Especially if you have a boy. They relate to other boys by talking about video games they play. Just restrict the time they're allowed on it (set timers to remind you to turn it off!) and use it as an incentive to get school work done.
Dp It's funny you say this because the op said her daughter loves the games and the boy is uninterested. Sexism rears it's ugly head again! Btw, my dd is a very good video game player and everyone was always shocked that she could play!
Girls like games too!
Anonymous
07/01/2020 17:23
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Anonymous wrote:Thinking of getting a switch (if we can ever find one!) to have more things to do during this pandemic and am anticipating more time in the house, particularly in wintertime. We don't currently have a video game system. Two kids, 8 and 10.
We have played video games at a relative's house before, and it's fun. We've only played stuff like MarioKart and Mario Party. The 8 yo enjoys it, but he gets bored after a while and moves on to other things. The 10 yo, my DD, however, gets reallllly into it and she can't stop playing once she starts. It's all she ever wants to do when she visits that relative. We've tossed around the idea of getting a system ourselves, and she'd love it, but even she has said "I might play it too much if we get one."
What do you think -- bad idea? The kids are bored while we work but perhaps this is a pandora's box we don't want to open? I know that all of us would enjoy it playing together as a family (because video games are fun), but I don't want to get into fights about playing time and having her play when she could be doing stuff like reading and drawing and playing.
I would get it. The reason is it is very fun and your dd could learn how to self regulate. The reason that's all she wants to do at a relative's house is because she doesn't have it at home. Sure, the novelty of it will want her to over binge in the beginning but, I'm sure she would learn how to manage her time if she got the practice. We are all addicted to Animal Crossing and yet my teens manage to play and get things done!
Anonymous
07/01/2020 17:19
Subject: Re:Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:YES! Especially if you have a boy. They relate to other boys by talking about video games they play. Just restrict the time they're allowed on it (set timers to remind you to turn it off!) and use it as an incentive to get school work done.
Me again... we also tell our kids that if they act up when we turn it off, we won't let them back on it for a week. Usually stops that behavior quick.
We do this. No whining if they say they can't play it, no attitude when it gets turned off or they lose it. It certainly can be addictive, but honestly you could teach her strategies to handle that kind of thing down the road (set limits, determine how to have a good transition, etc.). Our whole family plays it and it's super fun!
Anonymous
07/01/2020 16:23
Subject: Re:Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Anonymous wrote:YES! Especially if you have a boy. They relate to other boys by talking about video games they play. Just restrict the time they're allowed on it (set timers to remind you to turn it off!) and use it as an incentive to get school work done.
Me again... we also tell our kids that if they act up when we turn it off, we won't let them back on it for a week. Usually stops that behavior quick.
Anonymous
07/01/2020 16:22
Subject: Re:Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
YES! Especially if you have a boy. They relate to other boys by talking about video games they play. Just restrict the time they're allowed on it (set timers to remind you to turn it off!) and use it as an incentive to get school work done.
Anonymous
07/01/2020 16:20
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Use it as an incentive. She can earn minutes of play through chores or other target behaviors. She can then spend those minutes. If she has a fit when her minutes are up then remove the system for a few days and try again.
The chance of finding a switch (the most appropriate choice imo) is highly unlikely, unless you are willing to go the eBay route.
The chance of finding a switch (the most appropriate choice imo) is highly unlikely, unless you are willing to go the eBay route.
Anonymous
07/01/2020 13:37
Subject: Would you buy a switch/video game system if you think one child might get addicted to video games?
Thinking of getting a switch (if we can ever find one!) to have more things to do during this pandemic and am anticipating more time in the house, particularly in wintertime. We don't currently have a video game system. Two kids, 8 and 10.
We have played video games at a relative's house before, and it's fun. We've only played stuff like MarioKart and Mario Party. The 8 yo enjoys it, but he gets bored after a while and moves on to other things. The 10 yo, my DD, however, gets reallllly into it and she can't stop playing once she starts. It's all she ever wants to do when she visits that relative. We've tossed around the idea of getting a system ourselves, and she'd love it, but even she has said "I might play it too much if we get one."
What do you think -- bad idea? The kids are bored while we work but perhaps this is a pandora's box we don't want to open? I know that all of us would enjoy it playing together as a family (because video games are fun), but I don't want to get into fights about playing time and having her play when she could be doing stuff like reading and drawing and playing.
We have played video games at a relative's house before, and it's fun. We've only played stuff like MarioKart and Mario Party. The 8 yo enjoys it, but he gets bored after a while and moves on to other things. The 10 yo, my DD, however, gets reallllly into it and she can't stop playing once she starts. It's all she ever wants to do when she visits that relative. We've tossed around the idea of getting a system ourselves, and she'd love it, but even she has said "I might play it too much if we get one."
What do you think -- bad idea? The kids are bored while we work but perhaps this is a pandora's box we don't want to open? I know that all of us would enjoy it playing together as a family (because video games are fun), but I don't want to get into fights about playing time and having her play when she could be doing stuff like reading and drawing and playing.