Worst wife ever?

posted by mami blez

Fri May 25, 2007 at 02:05:42 PM EST

Hey Gearheads,

I've never posted before but I'm a dedicated lurker. I'm not a gamer, but I am married to your fearless leader.

We had a "disagreement" this morning, so I thought it might be fun to let you guys weigh in. Papi says I'm being irrational; I think I'm being a Mom (and of course, I think I'm right. ;-)

Out of the blue this morning, Papi says he has been thinking about getting our daughter a DS. A pink one, to be exact.

I freaked out. I unleashed an honest-to-goodness tirade, and said absolutely not.

It's not that I buy all the BS about video games being bad for kids, and first-person shooters being responsible for Columbine.

While I lost interest in video games at a young age, I grew up on Atari, graduated to Nintendo and played a MEAN game of Super Mario Brothers. I get the appeal.

That's why it's OK with me that Papi's standing Friday night date isn't dinner and a movie with me; it's 3 hours of Fragfest. His wardrobe consists of Halo and Gears and XBox t-shirts. I'm cool with that.

I'm also cool with the fact that while our daughter has no idea who Barney and Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald are, she can point out Master Chief and Marcus Fenix. When we put on kiddie music, she whines and demands the soundtrack to Halo 2.

So why I am so opposed to getting her a DS? Because she's 2 years old. Getting her a DS at this age makes as much sense to me as getting her a cell phone or an iPod. She hasn't even mastered feeding herself, how is she going to master the stylus?

And while I'm not opposed to technology, I just want to keep her a little kid for as long as I can. Blocks and Legos and crayons now; electronic doo-dads later, KWIM?

Papi says video games teach kids problem-solving skills. He says our little girl is smarter than we think and she will learn how to use the DS in no time. I still say no way.

In my head, I guess I don't envision getting her a DS until she's at least 5. And most moms I know would probably say 5 years old is STILL way too young. But I'm  not like other moms; I'm a cool mom! Or am I?

What do you all think? When did you start playing video games? Would you buy your 2-year-old a DS? Am I the worst. Wife. Ever? Or is Papi insane? Weigh in!  

Poll

2-year-olds and video games...

31%14 votes
40%18 votes
28%13 votes
0%0 votes

| 45 votes | Vote | Results


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Comments Disabled | 44 comments

  •  Worst wife ever? You can't be serious! (none / 0)

    You're the best wife...I just thought it was a good idea to get her used to electronics at a young age.  She already loves pretending to play with the 360 controller when we watch videos, so I figured it was good to get her something that has things that are more age appropriate such as the DS.

    As I said to you this morning, getting a child used to electronics at an early age is only going to give them an advantage down the road ;-)

    by papi blez on Fri May 25, 2007 at 02:21:24 PM EST

    •  I think her toy laptop... (none / 0)

      ...and her toy cell phones, and her TMX Elmo are enogh electronics...for now. :-)

      by mami blez on Fri May 25, 2007 at 02:48:46 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

    •  I go with Mami on this one (none / 0)

      What's the hurry with getting your girl a DS?  Has she asked for one?  Let her be a kid, playing outside with friends, real or imaginary.  Let her develop her own imagination, rather than Zelda or Mario.  

      Soon enough she'll want a DS or something like it, and it won't stop there.  Then you might regret the trend you begin.  

      The truth is, you'll end up snagging the DS and playing more than she does.

      Mami, you got my vote.

      Ready to finish all the Fights!

      by Damn Boris on Fri May 25, 2007 at 06:50:06 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  Sorry Papi... (none / 0)

    I have to agree with Mami on this one.  I think she'll still be okay if you wait a couple more years.  You should talk to my wife though, she would like to get are 3 year old an iPod for his birthday.  I'm sorry, but a $100 to $200 dollar electronic device in the hands of a toddler is a little scary.  If you do get one though definitely go pink, that'll be so cute!

    [img]http://card.mygamercard.net/nxe/mini/GearDaddy77.png[/img][/url]

    by titusdaddy on Fri May 25, 2007 at 02:26:34 PM EST

  •  I dont (none / 0)

    think your a bad wife for being concerend about the well being of your daughter.Thats makes you a great wife.I think its not the best combination but its not that big deal.My daughter is six months and since I am a gamer I see gaming is going to be a big part of her life.Do I see myself going out and getting her a DS when she turns two probably not.My nephews have been gaming since they were about 5 and they are turning out to be great kids and that is because of their parents not the games.            

    by Dan Foster on Fri May 25, 2007 at 02:37:17 PM EST

  •  Well (none / 0)

    first and foremost I think that the amount of tech you allow Mami, is already more than most wives would go for. You seem to be extremely easy-going and reasonable. For that, I think you should be applauded! You know, even Zoso doesn't go for tech all the time...;)

    However papi is a friend and comrade so I've got to go with him. Maybe not now, however.

    SOLUTION:
    Papi takes you out to dinner Sat. night and after a nice evening gives you a pink D.S. This is your to experiment with until you think your daughter is ready. AhHa! SweetTea to the rescue!

    by SweetTea023 on Fri May 25, 2007 at 02:41:36 PM EST

  •  You can (none / 0)

    thank me later papi...lol

    by SweetTea023 on Fri May 25, 2007 at 02:45:43 PM EST

  •  Be Sensible (none / 0)

    There is more kid-friendly tech out there, especially for a 2 year old!  I would recommend the V-Smile Pocket.  My daughter has been using her's for a couple years now and she loves it.  (She turns 5 in June.)  She also likes to play with my DS, but she really can't get it to do anything.  But I'm all for exposing kids to tech early!  Just make sure they can use it or it will be a waste of money.

    Give a man a match and you keep him warm for a day. Set a man on fire and you keep him warm for the rest of his life.

    by is not null on Fri May 25, 2007 at 03:16:23 PM EST

  •  fdsa (none / 0)

    From what I understand it's never to early to start playing brain age.

    by Mel O Rama on Fri May 25, 2007 at 03:37:16 PM EST

  •  Its not (none / 0)

    too much of a bad idea. Im not taking anyones side and pretty much everyone can tell you i never take anyones side. But videogames do infact teach problem solving skills and coordination. Every child is different but a childs mind is a lot more powerful than what a lot of people give them credit for. If your not against video games or anything and just not appealed to buying it becuase you think she wont get the concept, i think you should maybe find a friend whose son/daughter has one and see if you can borrow it from them for a week or even for just a few days and see how she picks up on it. To keep it short, don't under estimate the mind of a youth.

    -NastY

    Sticks And Stones May Break Bones And The Bullets Might Hurt Me, But I Take It Like A Man, You Beg For Mercy.

    by The Nasty on Fri May 25, 2007 at 04:03:36 PM EST

  •  its actually no big deal (none / 0)

    I've got a 2 years old myself and the thing is having something available doesnt mean she is actually going to play with it. But if she does thats not a bad thing either. Infact it might get a father/daughter thing going here, that will have a very good effect on her.

    My father used to go hunting/fishing and i used to go with him from very early age, i dont like or go hunting anymore but it gave me a chance to know my father and spend time with him, i still cherish that a lot as i got to ask him a lot of questions about hunting, which he was glad to answer in lenghts as that was his passion. When kids grow older it harder to make a connection if there isnt already one.

    by naveeda on Fri May 25, 2007 at 04:26:24 PM EST

  •  Nintendogs, (none / 0)

    Brainage and not to mention Geometry Wars which is also coming to the DS. Could Mami Blez be on her way to becoming a gamer? We'll see...

    by SweetTea023 on Fri May 25, 2007 at 04:54:13 PM EST

  •  Well (none / 0)

    I have a 2 year old nephew, and he actually has a DS. The thing is, many games like Nintendogs and others involve no real technical skill. You don't even need a stylus, you really just mess around with a virtual dog, and any button presses are rewarding. Also, teaching a child  to be independent by learning things like how to get through a menu CAN be rewarding.

    But if she breaks it, don't blame me :)

    Not all who wander are lost

    by Zoso Fan on Fri May 25, 2007 at 05:43:56 PM EST

    •  I don't think she'd break it (none / 0)

      DS's are pretty hearty and can handle a pretty good beating.  But it's not that urgent for me.  I just mentioned that I thought about getting her one when I saw a pink one in the store.

      by papi blez on Fri May 25, 2007 at 05:55:39 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

      •  3 D.S. 's (none / 0)

         My son got his gameboy when he was one and a half, my daughter was around two.  Papi the DS's are durable, we have two of the regular DS's and a DS Lite.  My wife really likes the Mario games. Mami Blez, Nintendogs is a great game for the little ones, I enjoy the Brain Age games.  You could get one too for the Mario games..

        by GearsChrisB on Fri May 25, 2007 at 06:35:00 PM EST

        [ Parent ]

  •  Let's all have a moment of silence (none / 0)

    for what would have happened to papi if he had bought the DS at the moment instead of waiting to talk to Mami...lol

    I'll definitely be over there someday papi...hopefully next summer!

    by SweetTea023 on Fri May 25, 2007 at 06:06:45 PM EST

  •  Mami... (none / 0)

    papi wants a DS for "Baby Blez" because he actually wants it for himself.  Sorry to rat you out, papi.  LOL  Did you see that Simpsons episode when Homer buys a bowling ball for Marge's birthday, but it was really for him?  Total riot.  I agree that video games teach kids problem-solving because I see it every day with the kids I teach.  However, two-years old is simply too young.  My four-year old just got into the Leapfrog Leap Pad & she's pretty much grown up with my videogame addiction.

    Friends don't let friends two-piece.

    by Blankman on Fri May 25, 2007 at 07:10:04 PM EST

    •  LOL! (none / 0)

      Nice theory, but I actually had a DS for a little while right after my daughter was born and I decided that I didn't like it.  I traded it in.  Had I known that I would've felt this way a year and a half ago, I would've kept it.  I just didn't think at the time that baby blez would've been ready so early.  But I honestly think she'd get a kick of out it or I wouldn't have suggested it.

      by papi blez on Fri May 25, 2007 at 08:01:56 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

    •  homer (none / 0)

      i did that once when i was 15. i bought my brother a movie that i really wanted and he didnt want at all just so that i could watch it

      OG-OG-OG-OG-OG-OG, OH HOT HAMMIT, MY HEAD ON DA FLO

      by 187alluponyou on Sat May 26, 2007 at 12:15:26 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  16 years and counting (none / 0)

    i too have been raised on video games since i was a wee little laddie

    i played mario since i was 1
    and received a N64 when i was like 4

    i have been in the advanced classes and have kept a GPA of 4.0

    my 3yo brother loves video games. he has been playing halo since he was 2 and can probably beat you at Call of  Duty 2 and 3. He is undoubly one of the smartest toddlers that i know. (trust me i know a lot of toddlers) he has totally surpassed all of the little kids in his preschool class. And he also loves playing a DS (and its pink too.) ;)

    so my point is

    Papi is right video games teach problem solving skills and increase the brain stimulus to get a bigger and smarter brain and the best part is that their are no side affects

    besides the fact that i could not stay still so at first the teachers thought i had ADD, but they soon found out the truth that i was a genius. Mwuahhh haaa haaa
     

    "No sheep just camels." 'What?' "Bitch I aint seen him." Blam! 'Roger'

    by CovanantElite on Fri May 25, 2007 at 08:14:24 PM EST

    •  i (none / 0)

      have been playing my entire life and i got a 30 on my act and kept like a 3.9.  most of gamers that i know at my school have been playing their entire life and are smarter than me.  gaming and brains go hand in hand

      OG-OG-OG-OG-OG-OG, OH HOT HAMMIT, MY HEAD ON DA FLO

      by 187alluponyou on Sat May 26, 2007 at 12:17:40 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

      •  30? (none / 0)

        Damn, nice job, I'll be getting my SAT scores pretty soon here.  My friends that are gamers are smart as well, keeping above a 4.0 and one of them got a 32 on the ACT and a 2200 on the SAT.

        I'm feeling California and looking Minnesota.

        by heeyoh2 on Sat May 26, 2007 at 12:37:59 PM EST

        [ Parent ]

  •  Well (none / 0)

    Nintendo's DS has helped my friends 4 year old cousin with his hand to eye coordination, immensely. I mean, even his Day Care instructors have commented on how well his hand to eye coordination has improved compared to when they first met him.

    He also reads far better than the majority of his friends/day care mates.

    I mean, 2 seems too soon, but maybe 3 or 4? Whenever you start sending Baby Blez off to Day Care, it wouldn't hurt to have it handy for trips in the car and maybe give her a specified "play time" after Day Care or on the Weekends just to help work on her hand to eye coordination/reading before she enters Elementary school.

    by Chris. on Fri May 25, 2007 at 09:26:35 PM EST

  •  Off the subject but... (none / 0)

    if my girlfriend would play Gears with me and be good at it, it would be the best thing ever. Have you guys heard of the that all girls pro gamer clan/crew? Something like PMS clan (no joke, lol)...

    As far as getting 2 year old a DS, heck why not. When I have children I'm gonna let them explore as much as possible and tinker with countless toys, books, gadgets etc, starting from day one. Of course I'll be there to guide them so that they're not playing Gears for 5 hours after school instead of playing a sport or outside socializing with their friends and running around. They can play with me when I get home from work after dinner, around 8pm? Especially on Fridays. ;)

    by johnart on Sat May 26, 2007 at 05:07:41 AM EST

    •  Yep (none / 0)

      I've played with the PMS clan, and they tossed me like a caesar salad in Halo a while ago, when I was actually pretty damn good, too.

      As for getting a two-year old a DS...It does seem really young to me.  I mean, it just seems like something that she might get hooked on because she's at such a young and vulnerable age.  Also, it might make her seem too spoiled compared to the other kids at the playground or pre-school or wherever.

      I'm feeling California and looking Minnesota.

      by heeyoh2 on Sat May 26, 2007 at 10:55:07 AM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  in my opinion (none / 0)

    a wii would be a lot cooler for little kids.  when my brother was like 5 we had this virtual baseball on the tv where you could swing the bat and throw the ball. he played that a lot more than gameboy.  that baseball game is just like one part of the wii.  i think the wii would be better for hand eye too.

    OG-OG-OG-OG-OG-OG, OH HOT HAMMIT, MY HEAD ON DA FLO

    by 187alluponyou on Sat May 26, 2007 at 12:20:38 PM EST

  •  Speaking of a wii (none / 0)

    I'm not trying to add negativity to this as i'm an older gamer with older kids who (my daughters) could care less about gaming, go figure....  My son on the other hand.....

    But came across this just a few minutes ago...

    http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article2581610.ece#

    I have a Wii (just bought a month ago), i think it is more kid approved but the DS isn't bad, i really cannot comment because when my kids were at that age i think the gameboy was out and i have younger sisters who let them play.  So my son kept going (took my old Atari and C64, yes i still have one, been rebuilt by myself, that i how i taught myself computer programming) but my daughters were not pleased by it.   So anyway i believe it is an agreement between the parents on playing on how they raise their children, there are too many other "outside" sources that twist the media to have video games look bad (Jack Thompson) and attached link...  Just my .02.

    You will meet your maker, the "chainsaw" and POLANDSTYLE

    by Polandstyle on Sat May 26, 2007 at 02:36:56 PM EST

    •  My wife agrees with Mami... (none / 0)

      Papi,

      I was explaining you situation with my wife and she seems to take the stance of your wife and believes that a 2 yr old should not have a DS.  Still too young.  

      I'm still in your boat and i think the earlier the better, sorry to my wife and yours....

      You will meet your maker, the "chainsaw" and POLANDSTYLE

      by Polandstyle on Sun May 27, 2007 at 12:02:26 PM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  EYESIGHT! (none / 0)

    As far as I am concerned, papi (and mami), that is only one reason why you shouldn't get your daughter a DS.

    The DS/Gameboy machines are just HORRIBLE for eyes, especially those of maturing children.  Big TV screen games are bad enough, but those little portable devices, if your child has any predisposition to eye weakness, this will just bring it out in a huge way.

    Those are my 2 bits.

    And mami, it is great to hear that you lurk, and even better to hear your "voice"!

    Cheers!  (and thanks for lettin' papi come out and play  ;)   )

    All that is gold does not glitter.

    by 3Suns on Sat May 26, 2007 at 07:44:34 PM EST

    •  eyes (none / 0)

      yup, same with computer games.  i have this friend who plays pc games obsesively and has terrible eyesight.  that is why i stick to console on a 70 some inch tv that is 12 ft from my face.  when i get going on portables, computer screens, and even gaming on a car tv, my eyes feel sore.  i dont know if i could ever do any of those regularly.

      OG-OG-OG-OG-OG-OG, OH HOT HAMMIT, MY HEAD ON DA FLO

      by 187alluponyou on Sun May 27, 2007 at 12:27:38 AM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  Lmaooo (none / 0)

    My friends little sister is not even in school nor can talk and she plays XBOX [holy!] and can figure out pac-man . shit son!

    PSN GamerTag : Gaming_Colt

    by GamingColt on Sat May 26, 2007 at 09:23:41 PM EST

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