I was hesitant over the years to get my children portable consoles as it was deemed unneeded as well as a higher risk of removing them from the world of .... live play.

I am a gamer and I play games as often as my daily life with work, wife, and kids will allow. My three children ages 8, 7, and 5 all play regularly on internet sites like Disney, nick, poptropica, club penguin, etc... as well as my Wii and PS3.

These other choices at home are part of the big reason a portable was considered unneeded as they had a plethora of choices for gaming already and we as parents didn't want it to rule their lives, but simply remain as a part-time experiences limited to the house. On the road we preferred books and on especially long trips we had a built-in DVD system in the van.

However, at the beginning of this year it became more apparent that letting the oldest two get portable systems was almost required as every single cousin and most close friends have one as well as there being the real desire by them to have one for their own play.

So, we decided to allow them the real life choice of how to manage their money and save/earn for what they really want. We created a money chart for them and allowed them to track their allowances as well as earn extra money for doing extra work around the house. 3 months later my 8 year old reach the goal I made for them, $120.

Then we spent a couple days looking for the best deal and ended up getting a black DSi in nearly perfect shape from a local pawn shop for $80. Not wanting to wait for the mail and Ebay; I went ahead and also bought two $15 used games from Gamestop (Golden Sun and Bakugan). I picked GS and he really wanted Bakugan.... I'll pick up a couple Pokemon games to show him why I said it was better from Ebay soon. lol.

So now his brother still has about $30 to go and is really ramping up efforts to save and as parents we have a new carrot to pull when we need corrective action as well as a new obstacle to maneuver in keeping his daily life as broad as possible. But, that's also why he's in a Basketball league and we force technology free days at least once a week.

Either way, in the end this is another day that makes me happy as I was able to provide something else for him I never had.

What a great story bet they're gonna enjoy that DSi and those games! That is smart parenting too, teaching them how to manage/save and look around to get the best deals with their money.

Thank for sharing this story can use a nice story like this once in a while!

Gaming parents FTW! I'm glad that you try to add variety in his life (as some deem it the spice of life) and you can sympathize with his gaming habits aswell.

Saving up money for something is so stressful, it's worth it in the end though, it's good that you teach your kids the value of money.

You don't get that often these days, this world is full of spoilt little shits.

Thanks for sharing this. Your kids surely don't know how lucky they are for having such good parents, you not only let them play but also teach them that you have to work to get what you want. Very well done!

Also, if it is his portable and he wanted Bakugan... why did you pick Golden Sun?

If you're any kind of good parent, you will make them download Link's Awakening. Gotta teach these young whippersnappers what's good. 

JEMC said: Thanks for sharing this. Your kids surely don't know how lucky they are for having such good parents, you not only let them play but also teach them that you have to work to get what you want. Very well done! Also, if it is his portable and he wanted Bakugan... why did you pick Golden Sun?

The only game he mentioned he wanted was Bakugan, so he got that. But, I read/know a lot more about games, so I wanted something else for about $15 that I knew would be a game he'd like. This way he gets two games up front as well as something to broaden his awareness of game genres.

Next I'll buy him a pokemon game (maybe black or white or something else if you guys think there is one better) as well as his first Zelda game. :)

I like these longer games as they also push important comprehensive thought skills and problem solving.

On the Wii have I every pre-N64 Zelda game. They've played some of these as well as classic Metroids.

I haven't looked through the DSi's shop... but I didn't think it had any VC type system. I thought that was limited to the 3DS?

Definitely should get your kids to play your old school favorites =D

I do. They loved SMB and Metroid as well as quite a few others like DKC etc.

They haven't spent the time to beat any of them, plus they are all quite a bit harder than the new crop of games. With all the newer stuff they get now they haven't had the need to sit down and master these older gems.

Maybe I should make a rule that says they can't have a new game until they beat someting on my VC SD card. lol