Ever since our son received a Nintendo DSi for Christmas, it has been nothing but bickering. Who would have thought a 2 year old would be scrapping with her brother over such an advanced toy.
Thinking back to my own childhood, I remember getting the original Nintendo Gameboy, the really old gray and bulky one, when I was about six. Even then, it was a challenge to learn how to use it but like most kids, I picked it up quickly and went about playing my kick butt Mario games.
But today, things are different. My 2 year old toddler is a master with the iPhone and now…now she is begging for a Nintendo DS. I can’t walk into Target or Walmart without her shouting “pink DSi mommy, pink, pink, pink!” Ack! What kind of mother would I be if I bought a $130 hand held game for a two year old? I guess it’s not completely awful, given there are games available made for her age group. It just boggles my mind that I’m even considering this.
Right now, other than the fact that I feel like I’m spoiling my kids, I’m thinking of how much easier buying this for her would make my life. Rather than listening to the kids play tug-o-war with our son’s DSi in the car, they could just have their own and leave us with some peace and quiet while getting from point A to B.
What I do know is my parents of course think I’m nuts for considering it but my husband thinks I should.
I need some other moms to weigh in here…would you buy a toddler a Nintendo DS Lite? (There’s no way I’m forking over the extra cash for the DSi just because it’s hot pink)
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About Cat Davis
What a 2 year old wants is not necessarily what a 2 year old needs. Or is even good for her. That’s why she has parents to make the hard choices for her.
Very, very true!
Cat,
I would say wait a few years. She’ll be better able to take care of it and will also know she doesn’t get every single solid thing she wants just because she asks (or screams) for it. “Stuff and things” come w/maturity. Also, if I have to teach my children how to share and get along, then I think you should have to do the same. I’ll do it if you will, but I will say I hear you about the peace and quiet; very tempting.
My father asked if he could buy my oldest a Wii for his birthday. I’m leaning more towards a NO! Besides the fighting that would probably happen, there are a few other reasons (political, social, ethical, etc.
hee, hee) why he probably won’t get one this birthday. He is already glued to the electronics he has access to. My oldest two have privileges w/my husbands old Blackberry on which they play games. I have so much “fun” moderating usage on that where I can’t imagine the fun I’ll be missing w/the Wii.
A lot of good points. Thank you for weighing in!
The hardest part about raising daughter’s for me is getting past the cute, yet manipulative pleas for things.
I say wait a couple years too! My 5 year old has been asking for a PSP like her sister and it isn’t happening yet.
Personally, I wouldn’t. My 6 year old son has been begging for a DSi. He has a Leapster and has had it for a couple of years now. I considered getting him a DS but decided against it for now. The Leapster is just fine for him.
We got our 12 year old daughter a DS a couple of years ago…these days are different from when we were growing up, but I don’t feel a need to keep up with the joneses.
I don’t know what I’d do… lol. Isn’t there an alternative for her? I get your struggle… I would be tempted, too!
I guess this is one of those mommy moments – you have to decide if this is a learning experience or if giving in would be okay.
I’ve been looking into alternatives too, definitely something cheaper. What I need to find is a learning tool that has the same build with the stylus or touchscreen.
Cat, I do not think my children were allowed to even play the home games until they were at least 5 that was one place I drew the line I wanted them to run and play and did not think they needed an electric game to play when they had so much energy to run off
I definitely agree with you. The idea is mostly for car travel. The kids rarely get to play video games, at most a couple of hours max on the weekends.
As a teacher and a woman with nephews age 5 and 2, I beg you to not give in! It really effects attention span and verbal development. My five year old nephew who has been playing for years says his best friend is Mario and that is all he talks about. Whatever you decide, it is your decision. They are your kids, but do a little research first.
Thank you Shelly, I’ll definitely look more into the attention span and verbal development research.
I am not the person to ask, because I would not have even bought one for my son at that age. We just turned off our cell phones and are considering permanently turning off the television. I made the mistake of allowing my son to begin to play XBox at the age of 7 (he is now almost 16), and I wish I had never even purchased a gaming system. I will not purchase one for my now 6 year old daughter…ever.
I think we spend enough time on the computer without complicating the rest of our lives with electronics. I actually believe that some of the attention deficit problems we see today come as a direct result of early use of electronics and too much television.
I want to say get it for her to make your life easier, but that would be the wrong answer, in my opinion. I say, our job as parents is to make the hard choices and to do what we believe is right for our children, rather than what is easy.
I would tell her: You are too young for that game. It is brother’s, and this is one item that he will not be sharing with you. I will think about this again when you are older, but for now, let’s find something you will treasure just as much.
If you have to go somewhere with it, I could recommend My First Leap Pad. My daughter does use this, and it is educational and fun. No computer screen, just books and touch pen.
Thanks Sinclair, I really do appreciate your input! I will check out the Leap Pad. We’re mostly just looking for something in the car, not at home. Home time is for blocks and legos, ball playing, etc.
When I said I would not have even bought one for my son at that age, I meant the me NOW would not. The me then did, and I think it was a mistake.
If you think about it, your question has to do with setting limits with your 2 year old and 5 year old around “bickering” over the game…not really whether or not to buy the 2 year old the game. As kids get older, it is more and more difficult to entertain them due to all the over-stimulation they get with all the screens in their lives. “I’m bored” is all you hear when they aren’t in front of a screen or monitor, whether it be TV, computer, or video game.
Soon the 3 year gap won’t separate your kids in terms of what they can do, but for now, your older child may only be able to play away from the 2 year old to get any peace. Distract the 2 year old with age appropriate activities and set limits with both the kids. Don’t try to please them all the time and keep the peace. They grow as they adapt to kind limits.
I choose 4 because they are so easily broken. My oldest got one right before she turned 8 and has taken care of it, however, we have already had to send it off for a small repair that cost us $50. We eventually bought a used on from Game Stop for our son, when he was 4, because we were tired of the fighting as well. He is on his second one because the first one broke (thank goodness it was still under the Game Stop warranty!). If you are planning on getting her one I recommend a used one just in case. When she’s old she can get a nice pretty new one!
LOL Stef, haven’t you seen those spongy Nerf covers? That’s what Mattison has on his, it practically bounces off the walls and stays protected.
I’m probably not the person to ask because I believe kids should be outside and active rather then sitting in front of a video game-Of course I can’t say that I wasn’t one of those stuck in front of the Gameboy all day myself, but I CAN say that I wish my mum had made me go outside more.
You gotta do what you gotta do!
I’m with you 100% Kayla. During the spring and summer the kids are never in the house with electronics but we’re looking more into something to entertain her for the times we’re in the car. That’s where our nightmare of noise and bickering is because the kids are right next to each other.
We always played games in the car, I spy, the alphabet game.(find object stating with a, then b etc) or 20 questions, We looked out the windows not down at a screen. I mean for long trips, yes occupy, but anything under an hour SING, LAUGH, use their imagination. Start a story, everyone take a turn. Get rid of all that electronic crap, they will get enough of it later in life. Set time limits, lose the batteries.
Our first gaming system was a Playstation 2, bought more to play DVD movies. It was a family gift from Santa, we all shared it and my children were 13boy and 10 girl. It is the only one we have had and I am glad I waited till they were older. Just my opinion………..
I think kids are withdrawn because they are so into their electronics. We were able to hold off until my oldest son turned 8 before getting a Wii. I would think your two year old would love creative activities like beading (over-sized wooden beads), dolls, dollhouse, puzzles? Anything non-electronic where she has to use her imagination would be ideal. I know! Easier said than done. Just my two cents. Good luck.
My
I’d say about 5 for a DS.
The vtech Vsmile is awesome and had a wide age ranges for their games.
I’m a Grammy not a Mom but have seen the progression of the electronic age.I now have 17 yr old grandchildren that can’t entertain themselves without an iPhone and iPod…and they haven’t cracked a book to read since the third grade.I know we want our kids to grow up with all the advantages but if we disadvantage their learning in the meantime, we aren’t helping them any. I actually have a 15 year old grand daughter who recently told me she has never used a dictionary and doesn’t know how. She googles everything! As an avid reader I feel SO bad that the only thing she has read is Twilight. You, of course, choose what is best for your family, but try to steer her towards what is best for her…not what is easiest or what she wants.Children only know wants…not needs. Good luck!
Get her a pocket vsmile
I voted for the 3 year old ONLY because of your story. I have 6 kids, now three at home, but over the years they are of COURSE asking for the newest in technology and FUN! If your child is THAT advanced then i dont thing it a bad thing to stimulate her learning there! THESE toys, if used IN MODERATION are teaching toys…they are not always bad or mean our kids are being spoiled just because SOME of them come with a hefty price tag. EVERYTHInG is expensive these days. I guess with these toys it is that you have to invest so much in GAMES and that gets SO expensive. Having a toy because the child will USE it and get something out of it is DIFFERENT than begging for something just because everyone else that is “COOl”has one. A 2 year old doesnt have that kind of peer pressure…she just got a taste of something she really liked and she WANTS one. (Now THAT has TWO written all over it). SO, I would be looking for a next birthday…and knowing you can add games that will advance in age.
Our 12 year old really wanted an I touch for CHristmas. I thought it was ridiculous…and only something he wanted because everyone else had one. He did receive one, much to his COMPLETE joy and surprise. THEN, our 10 year old begged to spend ALL her CHristmas money, birthday money, and even asked if she could take back a few gifts to get one. SHE did and she loves it, takes care of it, and is actually learning a LOT from it. It makes her happy, social, and appreciative that we allowed her it. Ummmm…it is a good tool to remind her when she has chores, etc…or she knows it will be put up for few days. MODERATION. (and, they are not allowed to take to school…so I will be able to play around on them too—-heck, I know adults like the Ds too, so maybe she will SHARE too!) JUST my opinion!
I like Sinclairs idea as well-Something more age appropriate that can get her mind off of what her brother has.
I’m with the majority. My son got his first DS at 9. He had his first gameboy at 4 though. When he got his DS he passed those 2 (gameboys) down to his sisters who didn’t really know how to play them, but had fun. When we got my almost 6 year old a leapster for Christmas last year, we got my then 2 year old an old style one off of Ebay for like $15. She was thrilled with it. She just wanted her own big girl game. Now she’s 3 and I got her her a new leapster for Christmas this year. My son got a DSi for Christmas this year (he’ll be 11 in Feb) and on his own he wrapped his DS up and gave it to his 5 year old sister. I wouldn’t buy her a new one, but I’m ok with her having a used one. She takes better care of her stuff than her brother does and he’s 5 years older.
Now, MP3 players. All of my kids but the baby has one because I couldn’t talk daddy out of it. But, the 3 year old has a $10 one.
Kai got hers at two and she never broke it it allowed her to explore things. Easy games. There’s a Dora game she had first, and the DS comes with a drawing deal. She still has the same DS and loves it.
Such a tough decision, but I think you really know what you need to do already. She really is a bit young for it and it is her brother’s. If he wants to share it with her at some point, that is his choice, but I wouldn’t force him, but I think that is a lot of money for a toddler. I think most people made really good points, but you know your daughter, your budget and whether it is something that will, in the end be best for her development and for your family.
Good luck with your final decision.
It seems like I might be the only one saying yes and I know this was posted awhile ago but…
My husband bought an Ipod touch a couple weeks ago and we cant even listen to it in the car because our 2 year old takes it. So we are buying her a DS. She will only be allowed to play with it in the car or if we are in a waiting line or Dr’s office. We arent doing it to simply spoil her.