Do your kids have everything?

[SeaSpray]

Our DSs are 16 and 13, and this is what they have in their own bedrooms:

*New computers with internet access with parental controls (regular monitors, not flat screen) I want to add though, that DH bought them each all of the parts from tigerdirect.com and they each built their own computers. Now they know how to build a computer from scratch

TV with basic cable (so far I have never found them watching anything inappropriate, otherwise they wouldn't have cable) They usually only watch TV in their rooms later at night, before bed. Otherwise, they are in the family room when they watch tv.

DVD player (we have to approve of their DVDs first before they can buy them or watch them)

VCR (they really don't use their VCRs anymore though)

stereo/CD players (these were gifts from family members)

Neither of them have a phone in their bedroom, or a cell phone. They both want a cell phone but will have to wait a while for that.
Personally I like the idea of them having a cell phone because I like being able to contact them directly while they are at a friend's house. Often I will give DS16 my own cell phone when he's out with friends, so I can call him whenever I need to.

 

[MagicalMom]

Oh No! now I'm as sad & depressed as my daugther. She really is a great kid. She helps with her 3 yo brother & tolerates her 8 yo brother. She has never been in any trouble. I think I'm going to have to break down & buy her a TV / DVD/ VCR combo for her 13th birthday, you only turn 13 once, right? I honestly thought she was exagerating about all of the things the other children had.

 

[HollyJoy]

We know MANY kids who have thier own tv's/DVD players and computers in their bedrooms, and DH and I have agreed that our girls just don't need a t.v. in their room! We have two televisions in the house, and that's enough. Now maybe when they are older, we might change our mind, but for now, we are happy with it. They just don't need it! We have an extra bedroom that we use for an office, and the girls share a computer. It's fine right where it is!

 

[browneyes]

My kids say they don't have everything. They don't have any of the stuff your dd's friend has.

 

[Serena]

No, now if I had the extra money it might be different. But I just don't know.

 

[skiwee1]

Mine do. Well not the flat screen tv but 15 y/o DS does have a flat screen computer monitor. He also has digital cable, his own computer with internet access, DVD player, Playstation, his own phone line, stereo, VCR, cell phone, large screen TV, and a laptop that he takes on trips. My 5 y/o DD has a TV/VCR/ DVD combo we bought her last Christmas. She also has her own computer with internet access but that is in the den where my computer is so I can keep an eye on her.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by slo
I have a feeling that my DH and I are going to have many battles w/ our DD's over the type of things mentioned here. We both don't believe in children having a tv in there bedroom, and I can guarantee that when our children are older that will be a battle. Why???? Because I want to see my children. If they have a tv in their room they would be locked up in their room all the time and I would never see them, except in passing. Plus....there are so many things on basic cable that I would not want my children to watch. For example.....Pulp Fiction was on Bravo the other night - this is not my idea of acceptable viewing for my DD's.

Anyway, I consider myself a pretty "with it" mom, but I can admit, that I am overally conservative on certain topics. So to all you moms that have children ticked off at them because they don't have everything, I will be in that same boat with you all someday, I can guarantee it!!!

I used to think the TV in the room meant never seeing my kids but I thought back to when I was young with a TV in my room. I only watched it at night when I was going to bed. My kids now only watch TV at night when going to bed. My 5 y/o dd doesn't even go back into her room to play with any of her toys once she gets up. Their TVs get very little use.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

DD 17... 30 inch tv, DVD player, stereo system, my old computer not online ( just to type term papers etc..) Futon couch, mini fridge. No phone. I took it away after she continually was on it all night. Cell phone. that she pays the monthly tab for.

DS 10, 30 inch tv, Game cube,mini fridge, boombox. no phone. He has I think 4 game boys? And a myriad of games. probably close to a 100.

His and his sisters tv are on digital cable. Dad's old laptop, Not online just game play.

Twins almost 4. No tv, or electronic devices of any type. They did have a reel player that played a continuous loop of classical when they were babies but thats it. They have just now begun asking for things like game boys. Which they will get next week for thier Birthdays. and a tv...Which Santa is still on the fence about bringing.

Mine have all the crap. ANd It is too much. Which is probably why I am a little hesitant with the little ones. Both older siblings did not get a tv in thier rooms till they were over 7. I would like to hold out till then. But we will see.

 

[zaxmom]

From what I have noticed with kids and tvs, the more it is refused-the more they want it. Mine have them in their rooms. I am a tv junkie, we have 6 tvs in the house + one in the car. And 3 tivos. My kids would rather be doing anything but watching tv. The kids who never get to watch it get so engrossed in it when it is on you cannot even speak to them.

As far as giving them these things, I say if you have it to give, go ahead. If you don't, might as well let them learn now how tough life can be and how we all make choices. If they want to get a job or babysit to earn money to install a sattelite and buy a flat screen tv, they will see your point.

I have so many tvs and tivos because I do not see any point wasting time watching what someone else wants to or things you don't really want to see. We actually spend a lot less time in front of the tvs that way.

 

[FINFAN]

WOW! These are some LUCKY kids!! I am glad my DS hoped for a tree house for his b-day! Still working on that....unless he's planning to ask us for a t.v. to put in it!

 

[LvsTnk]

Kids have t.v.'s, dvd players, playsation, stereo's, and cell phones. All but the cell phones they got as gifts. We have 2 computers and a laptop in the kitchen. They use the laptop to talk to their friends.

Honestly this summer we spend alot of time on the deck talking, and when the friends stop by they come out there as well. Good kids....the eletronics didn't seem to do any damage

 

[Pugdog007]

Yes. Except my DD16 is so spoiled that she has 2x everything you've listed, one here and others at her Dad's house.

Flat screen pimped-PC (that's what she calls it) at her Dad's with all these funky lights & stuff. A regular PC here with a large monitor. TV's both places with cable & DVD players. Actually, 2 TV's here - one in BR and other in her den. In both houses, she has an entire floor to herself. Here she has a BR, den & 2 baths. She has playstations in both places. One cellphone and one I-pod.

And of course, the Beetle I bought her for her 16th b'day.

She's an only child with 4 parents & 6 grandparents. She's also traveled all over the world. Yes, she's totally spoiled. But she's also a very good kid & I'm so proud of her.



I'm sure it would be very different if she were not an only child.

 

[ilovepcot]

Yes, I'd consider the brand new BMW (for college graduation) just about everything!!!!!

 

[pw2pp]

There is no way that I would give a 13 year old a computer in their bedroom with internet access.
Our computer is out in the open where everyone can see who's on it and what they are doing on it and how long they have been on it.
Those parents are just asking for trouble.

Not to mention spoiling the kid. It's no wonder some kids become so bored and discontent with their lives (and underachievers) when they are handed everything on a silver platter so early in their lives and never have to earn anything or learn to have patience to save up money to buy things or are never just plain told "no".

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, I think they are "blessed" with lots of things although they might argue that point.
I just had a real problem with a TV in their room. Although now they are getting older I am beginning to think a little differently.

13yo dd does have a cell phone, stereo/cd thing in her room. BUT we might put a computer in her room next year for high school. (not sure, jury is still out on this one)

7yo dd just has a boom box which she listens to cd's and that is it. I want to put a TV in her room. (She doesn't EVEN like tv). That way she can escape older dd for a break.
HOWEVER this is our problem. Older dd yells "that is not fair, you didn't let ME have a TV at that age...blah, blah, blah...."

So that is where we stand.

 

[Nutsy]

my kids most certainly do not. My eldest who just turned 16 only got a tv in his bedroom for his 16th birthday........he has a DVD player on lay by, but there is no computer or any other new fangled thing in there.

Other DS 15 would like his own tv, but has to wait till he is finished school.

No cable tv in the bedrooms either.....only one tv in this house has cable & that's in the lounge room

 

[Serena]

I just want to know if some of you all want to adopt me.

 

[Christine]

My DD 13 does not have any of this stuff and she will not. I don't believe in having any of that stuff in the bedroom. Period. They will come down and interact with the family. We have a TV in the family room and a TV in the basement (rec room) if anyone needs it. DH has an X-box that the kids are allowed to play if he's in a generous mood!!

I don't know what I'm going to do about the cell phone. I probably won't let DD have one until she is driving. I have spoken with two mothers who have 17 year old children. One that has gotten into a LOT of trouble and one that is not. They both said that there biggest regret has been the cell phone. It has allowed for a whole "underground network" of communication that they feel in undesireable (but that is for the older teens).

OP--I say stick with you guns and don't cave to what the other parents are doing.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My DDs are 5 1/2 and 2 1/2. They have a TV, VCR, and DVD player in their playroom.

Older DD has a radio/cd player in her room, and younger DD will probably get one for b-day or Christmas.

They do have a computer (DH upgraded his), but it is in the kitchen where I can monitor it. Right now it is loaded with all of their learning games.

Will any of this make it into their bedrooms?? The jury is still out. I am not a big fan of TVs in the bedroom. If possible, I would remove the TV from our bedroom, but DH would revolt!

Even with their own TV and movies in the playroom, DDs prefer to hang out with DH and I. I like it that way!

 

[skiwee1]

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