I never had video games growing up. My video game exposure was limited to Donkey Kong and Ms. Pac Man at the bowling alley every Saturday morning! I remember getting our first and only video game console at home - an Intellivision! Oh the graphics on that . . . and the many keyed touch pad that you used to play REAL LIVE FOOTBALL! But I digress . . .
Just as back then, we’ve always been a no video game house as well. We just didn’t have them. Oh we had a couple plug-n-plays because I just couldn’t go without Ms. Pac Man 
But other than that . . . nothing. Until now . . .
Grandma and Grandpa gave the kids a Wii for Christmas. Woo hoo! We all love it. The adults are playing as much as the kids (I even had to start bowling left handed because my right shoulder started to hurt!). And if we were going to get a video game system, I guess I’m good with the Wii because you’re actually up doing stuff rather than sitting there losing your eye sight and getting carpal tunnel.
Then, each kid asked the big guy in the red suit for a Nintendo DS. I wasn’t surprised that Dude asked for that. I was very surprised Princess asked for that . . . I was sure she’d ask for something sparkly, or a unicorn, or a sparkly unicorn.
So, they each got a Nintendo DS from the big guy. The big guy must have been feeling very generous because he also gave each of them a couple games for their DS. I guess that was good because really, what good is a DS without any games?
Then, Grandma and Grandpa #2 sent each of them a $50 gift card for Christmas (thank you!). Of course they each used the gift cards to buy cases for their DS and also a game or 2.
So, we have officially started down that slippery slope of video games. We’ve taken the Halloween stance on the video games . . . let them eat as much candy as they want the first day then throw the rest away. They’re getting to play video games a LOT this past week . . . and we’ll let them until Grandma and Grandpa #3 come on Thursday . . . then it’s a new year, new rules 
How about you? Do you do video games? Do you have rules on playing times?
we too have fallen down that slippery slide! We do have a game system (an Xbox) and it is played a lot by the older 4 (my step kids). Ashlyn doesn’t play it yet- she isn’t allowed. She is allowed to play computer games though, but I limit the time she spends on those. In a perfect world, the Xbox would be limited too, but since I am not really the rule maker- hubby is much more relaxed and there really is no limit. I do think that is a mistake, but I have to step back and let him rule the roost for those 4.
I don’t think having a game system or video games is bad- as long as you monitor the games they play and you limit the time spent on it- all of which I know you will do. So it sounds to me like you have it under control!
WOW!!! Sounds like a great time. I’m so glad Dude and Princess are having all of these opportunities and that they get out of the house and get lots of physical activity! Great job!!! Love…Mom
I considered getting Megan a DS for Christmas but she never really asked for it on any of her lists so I didn’t. The girls are pretty good at not playing video games. Every once in a while they want to play Xbox with Dave but Xbox doesn’t have good kids games. They do play on the computer with Webkinz, Bella Sara, PBS Kids but again, not much. Guess I’m lucky that way. A bunch of their friends got a DS for Christmas so we’ll see how next year goes!
I’m embarrassed to tell you all the frick’n gaming systems that we’ve got in this house. My husband is almost as bad as the kids.
The kids just got from Santa the RockBand for WII. Totally cool. Even I have to admit. The entire family…uncles, aunts, cousins, were ALL rock’n out in my basement on Christmas.
I used to have gaming rules but I’ve let the rules slide. My kids are all active so I’m not all that worried about it.
HAVE fun!
I’m thinking about getting the WII Fit for myself. =)
We’ve never been video game crazy… We bought a PS1 when they came down in price to a “reasonable level”…
Then #1 of 5 bought (with his own money) a PS2 when they became a “reasonable price”…
Then #1 of 5 sold his PS2 to help pay for a PS3 at an unbelievability (and stomach churning) high price… Then quickly lost it when he had to pawn it for necessities (tires)…
About a year later (last month) he bought himself a used PSP.. at a reasonable price.
- - - - - -
When #1 of 5 moved out with his PS2, we bought the family an ORIGINAL XBox (not the 360) when it was a “reasonable price”.
We have that still… And buy “reasonably priced” games.
(O.K. Catching the theme here?? “Reasonablly Priced”…)
That was until we caved into the Wii craze this year as well.
That was the most expensive (unreasonably priced) video game I have paid for…. But we are having a lot of family fun.
Even 4 year old #5 of 5 is getting into the action (which she could not do with a PS3 or XBox360)..
Oops… I forgot to add our house rules.
NO video games on school nights…. Weekends only. Then it is limited in time by our discretion (usually a hour to and hour and a half each)
Summer is a little more slack.. But it’s usually no more than every other day…
We are a no video game family….buuuut…I can see the Wii changing that. We don’t have one yet, but I’m sure it won’t be too long.