Computer for Christmas?
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| Mon, 12-05-2005 - 11:49am |
My almost 18 year old son is a big computer freak and gamer. For Christmas this year he has asked for a computer for his room (he has offered to pay for a portion of it). The computer we currently have is in big demand as I do contract work from home, my daughter is now starting to use it more for school and then of course my son uses it alot. I have tried the "schedule" thing but it doesnt seem to work. We have a very small house and the computer is located in a room between my room and my daughters. My son is at the age where he stays up later than us, more so on the weekends, and it disturbs our sleep when he's on it - even with earphones.
Having a second computer would solve all our problems but I'm not sure if him having one in his room is a good idea. I worry about him being on it all night then having problems getting up in the mornings. We really have no other room in the house where we can put it and I'm not sure how I can regulate his time on it when its downstairs in his room. Then of course there's the argument from him if I try to control his time on it that "he helped paid for it", he's almost 18, blah blah blah.
Anybody else have kids with computers in their rooms and how they handle the problems that goes with it? Thanks!

I personally wouldn't have a problem with him having it in his room at his age. I would tell him that occassionally he might have to share with someone else in the family especially since the family computer is also a work computer. I would also tell him that I might occassionally check the History just to make sure that he's using it appropriately. You might also mention your concerns about his sleep and if you feel that that is becoming a problm, you may have to find another place for it or take the keyboard to bed with you during the week.
Will he be leaving home for college soon? If so you might consider getting him a laptop. We got oldest DD one for graduation and I must say it was wonderful. This way when she came home for visits she could bring hers with her and we weren't fighting over the family computer. We plan to get one for youngest DD when she graduates in the spring as well. (gosh I'm getting old)
Both my kids have had computers in their rooms for about two years now, I think. Pretty young for that, I know, but the squabbling was getting way out of control and DH couldn't handle it anymore. DD always has a lot of homework and it made sense.
But the truth is .... neither child likes to be holed up in their room by themselves, would rather be downstairs in the midst of everything and everyone else, so they STILL squabble over the computer in the den, though not so much anymore since DD isn't home all that much during the week and DS can use it for several uninterrupted hours after school if he wants.
DD will use the computer in her room IF she wants to stay up late and IM her friends or has some last minute homework to finish up. She is very good about time curfews, LOVES her sleep, so I don't worry at all about her staying up too late.
At your DS' age, I think a computer of his own is a very appropriate Christmas gift, especially if he'll be off to college in the fall. He'll be able to take it with him and that will be one less expense you'll have at that time. I say 'go for it'!
my kids havehad computers in their rooms for awhile as well
they have become so much more affordable
I think making sure he is still spending family time is the key-meals, board game night-whatever-dont let those slip away while he is gaming
But-if hes like mine-you'll be snoozing through the gaming anyhow
Honestly, at almost 18 your DS should be able to handle his own computer in his room, and face the consequences of staying up too late on it. It seems like a good idea because it will free up the computer you use for work. I think it would be a great present for the holidays!
BTW, both my kids had computers in their rooms and we never had to impose any rules. It just seemed to always work out.