Bought my 5-year old son a used videogame system for Xmas. Am I a piece of S...?

I probably received hand me down underwear from my two older brothers at some point growing up. The kids will probably not incur any permanent psychological damage.

 

u should have bought him a GI Joe with Kung Fu grip that way he wont grow up to be a Ballerina, you P.O.????

 

Well done.

 

Tomorrow's thread "What are the best Tacoma mods for $300?"

Jokes aside, do what you can to encourage physical activity and in-person social interaction. All too easy for kids (and adults!) to vegetate in front of a TV/tablet/phone screen.

 

Honestly I would have decided based on how this covid situation affected my kids. Parents went thru alot but so did kids. If my kids were a little deprived of activities and school because of what went down the last year I would flex.

 

Yup..I've always said that's one reason any kid of mine would hate me, I'd set limits on gaming like my folks did. Then again I always would have preferred to go ride my bike so it never was an issue

 

Don't see it as a bad thing especially if it's something he asked for. Kids play video games, have for decades, nothing inherently wrong with that. Even if it's a different one than what he wanted, I'm sure he'll learn to enjoy it.

Now if a 5 year old were being given a brand new iPhone with a data plan and all, that'd be different in my opinion. As a father of an 11mo daughter I fortunately haven't had to deal with these things yet but I see them looming on the horizon

 

Nah OP. You're good.

I'll be doing the same when I have a kid (s). I'm also cheap and don't think my kid (s) will have much of anything new for the first few years.

 

As a father, I think you did great. He is going to notice the difference, and if he’s upset, let him be upset. Try to explain to him the reasoning of your decision in his terms when or if he allows you to do so. If he doesn’t, just let him be. It’s a console and he’ll gravitate towards it at some point if he initially rejects it.

my wife and I try not to buy our kids more than one gift each Christmas, because everyone else decides to spoil them. Still, we try and teach our toddlers that we must donate many of their old toys before opening most new ones. Simply as a way to share and give to those less fortunate.

Remember, your kid wants time with you. That’s what’s important. So when he opens it, try to act surprised and excited as well. Show interest and ask questions. Maybe ask to play with him or watch him play. These are the times to create good memories that will ultimately create good character in the future.

 

Life is so much better spent accumulating memories than accumulating things. It's impossible to teach to children though, who think they and everyone else will live forever. Hell, I'm only now learning this at 35.

 

Can we get a follow-up?