Regretting the Wii

my son just turned 6 and DH and I broke down and got him the Wii. Its his 1st video game. He didn't even ask for it, but we thought it would be something that he could play with when the weather was bad and couldn't go outside.

Well now all my little boy can talk about is the stupid Wii. I dont want him to turn into a video game junky...so I limited his time the Wii...but other family members give into him (DH for example) when I am not around.

I have to be strong here, before DS turns into a zombie.

Re: Regretting the Wii

It will wear off, it did over here.

Re: Regretting the Wii

I have to say, I feel ok about the Wii, since they are moving around with it. My son has one or 2 games that are more sedentary (Lego Indiana Jones, for example) but the biggest hits are the Wii Sports games!

I do limit the time, but I feel better about the Wii games, since they are more active, than if he were playing with a DS or xbox all the time.

Re: Regretting the Wii

Schools almost back in session, he'll break out of his zombie coma. LOL


I actually heard on NPR that fast action video games help people with vision and they said the added benefit with the Wii is that it keeps people moving too.

Re: Regretting the Wii

Totally wears off. My kids went nuts with their DSi's in December.. by February it was pretty much old news. They still play with them.. but not nearly as often.

We have Wii, Playstation and XBox. The kids LOVE their systems - but they know the rules about playing. Once your DS understands that the Wii is a 'sometimes' toy, he'll probably be less absorbed!

Re: Regretting the Wii

I have had the same experience with my DS and his Playstation 2. My DH bought it for him for the holidays when he was 5. I had put the kibosh on it for his bday in Oct but DH really wanted to get it for him. He became obsessed and after a few months of that, I shelved it in our basement for almost 2 years. He's had it back for a few months now but ---- it gets taken away frequently. If he gets rude with other people, doesn't listen, ignores any other activities and basically obsesses, it is off limits for xx amount of time. He has a DS and doesnt do it with this for some reason. Whatever the case, DH is talking about a Wii for the holidays now but it's not a good idea IMO. I don't think your son is any different than most kids, esp boys. You have to set a specific limit and stick to it. Even if it's easier on a rainy day to let him play it for 4 hours straight. And he has to engage in other activities. My son loves Legos but they will sit untouched if he had full access to video games. I know the Wii gives the illusion of being a group activity and of getting exercise with many of the games & capabilities but it's really still a video game and it has that effect on their brains. Not just little kids either - I've seen people here and IRL talk about their DH's obsession with VGs. The Mom of one boy my son is friendly with told me that the teacher told her she was concerned about her son bc of his school journal. It was in 2nd grade - they had to write in their journal every morning. When she gave a free topic to write about, he wrote about video games or a character in a video game. Even when the teacher gave the topic, he always turned it around about a video game.

So anyway, I am not against video games in moderation. You also have to know your kid, mine is clearly the obsessive type and he gets overstimulated by VGs. He gets overstimulated by arguments in general so it makes sense the fast pace of VGs affects him.

I'd definitely talk about it more with your DH. Does he realize or does he find it easier to just let him play it? Is he into Legos? 6-7 is often when they boys really start to get into them, maybe get him a set and Dh can work on it with him when you are not there instead of the Wii. Or have him begin with DS and then let DS work by himself for awhile. I guess just give DH alternatives of things your DS can do instead.

HTH

Message edited 8/24/2010 11:59:11 PM.

Re: Regretting the Wii

My son (age 5) would play it everyday if we let him. He's only allowed to play Fri-Sun for an hour at a time. If he doesn't behave during the week it's the first privilege to go away. He knows it, so once he gets his warning he acts right. The ground rules were set right in the beginning, when he gets upset about having to stop I have him repeat the rules.

You and your family members need to be on the same page with rules of play. You also need to stick to your guns and not give in.