nikkipal
Sapphire
Posts: 2,751 Likes: 8,044
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Post by nikkipal on Oct 13, 2021 13:24:39 GMT -6
mintyblueair, the switch original can be played console or handheld. You can even switch between the two in the middle of a game. I know it costs a lot more, but I think it’s really nice to have the option. milano, I’m pretty sure that New Horizons is the version available on the switch. Previous iterations were for different consoles.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Oct 13, 2021 14:48:53 GMT -6
Ok excellent. I ordered the switch from BJ's and it came with a case for the screen and memory cards or something. And headphones. I ordered the physical copy of Mario kart (because I didn't realize there was a different option), what size are the game cartridges? I assume they are not cds lol.
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jnu76
Gold
Posts: 947 Likes: 2,957
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Post by jnu76 on Oct 13, 2021 15:06:04 GMT -6
Does a Switch come with 2 controllers or just one?
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nikkipal
Sapphire
Posts: 2,751 Likes: 8,044
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Post by nikkipal on Oct 13, 2021 15:21:12 GMT -6
Game cartridge is the size of an SD card, roughly. It’s nice to have a case that holds them.
It comes with one controller that can break into two parts and be used separately in SOME games. I’d definitely recommend getting an additional controller. We have a pro controller which can’t be used for two, but the three of us can all play Mario Kart, which works for us. Pro controllers are a lot more comfortable to play with.
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Post by ovenrack on Oct 13, 2021 15:28:04 GMT -6
I feel sort of bad that since A and I don’t play video games, we won’t be introducing any to our kids. It just isn’t an interest for us. But like… how to make sure it’s introduced mindfully?
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 13, 2021 15:46:18 GMT -6
mintyblueair, the switch original can be played console or handheld. You can even switch between the two in the middle of a game. I know it costs a lot more, but I think it’s really nice to have the option. milano, I’m pretty sure that New Horizons is the version available on the switch. Previous iterations were for different consoles. I know, and for MH and I it would be nice to have it on the TV, but I just don't want video games to take over tv time for the kids, or for it to be as accessible as TV for them. I feel like it'll be easier for me to enforce strict time limits if I can physically put the device away.
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tj
Moderator
Posts: 9,912 Likes: 24,842
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Post by tj on Oct 13, 2021 16:38:16 GMT -6
I feel sort of bad that since A and I don’t play video games, we won’t be introducing any to our kids. It just isn’t an interest for us. But like… how to make sure it’s introduced mindfully? Same. But the kids are allowed to try it out at a friends house if they want to. So that is our compromise. I don’t have any friends that are gamers either though, so their kids really only play for a little bit at a time. Wait. Was this a question?
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rugger
Amethyst
Posts: 5,768 Likes: 14,536
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Post by rugger on Oct 13, 2021 16:47:24 GMT -6
I feel sort of bad that since A and I don’t play video games, we won’t be introducing any to our kids. It just isn’t an interest for us. But like… how to make sure it’s introduced mindfully? Same. But the kids are allowed to try it out at a friends house if they want to. So that is our compromise. I don’t have any friends that are gamers either though, so their kids really only play for a little bit at a time. Wait. Was this a question? +1 and I like that compromise of being allowed to play at friends' houses
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 13, 2021 16:51:29 GMT -6
I feel sort of bad that since A and I don’t play video games, we won’t be introducing any to our kids. It just isn’t an interest for us. But like… how to make sure it’s introduced mindfully? So you won't be introducing them? Or you want advice on how to do it?
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 13, 2021 16:53:32 GMT -6
If I do go ahead with the switch lite, I plan on treating it like TV: I'll vet the content and set strict time limits. It will not be a daily thing in our house, possibly just on weekends for x amount of time.
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Post by ovenrack on Oct 13, 2021 17:31:57 GMT -6
I feel sort of bad that since A and I don’t play video games, we won’t be introducing any to our kids. It just isn’t an interest for us. But like… how to make sure it’s introduced mindfully? So you won't be introducing them? Or you want advice on how to do it? I won’t be introducing them because… like… I don’t play myself? So I don’t know how to, unless we buy a system? I dunno. It’s like - I love gardening so my kids know lots about plants and how to start seedlings and watering and pruning and such. But presumably people who don’t care about gardening don’t teach their kids besides what’s they learn from growing a seed in kindergarten! Which is totally fine.
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Post by ovenrack on Oct 13, 2021 17:33:53 GMT -6
I’m fine with letting the kids learn at others’ houses.
But - FFWC? H was in K and hadn’t gone to school friends’ houses when Covid began, and we still definitely aren’t doing any indoor play dates.
None of the friends indoors (one other family) we do see play video games at all.
I suppose that will change eventually. It’s hard to imagine though. Hah.
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Post by charlotte on Oct 13, 2021 19:02:25 GMT -6
FFWC my 6.5yo has only had one real play date, 2 years ago. He plays outdoor sports, attends school, and has gone to plenty of bday parties. But idk, it just hasn’t come up 🤷🏻♀️.
MH has a PlayStation upstairs in the room that serves as my office. My DS1 does have one video game on there but he doesn’t have access to that room unless we allow him. If we allowed free access he would totally be obsessed.
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 13, 2021 19:47:54 GMT -6
So you won't be introducing them? Or you want advice on how to do it? I won’t be introducing them because… like… I don’t play myself? So I don’t know how to, unless we buy a system? I dunno. It’s like - I love gardening so my kids know lots about plants and how to start seedlings and watering and pruning and such. But presumably people who don’t care about gardening don’t teach their kids besides what’s they learn from growing a seed in kindergarten! Which is totally fine. Oh yeah, if you guys don't have any interest in or familiarity them then it doesn't really make sense to get one just for the kids. That's how I feel about tablets and social media; MH and I don't use or have it, so it will not be something we ever purposely introduce. MH and I haven't played video games since before L was born and even then we would treat it like watching a series--play for an hour in the evening until a game was finished. It's definitely important to model and enforce moderation with all technology. When I was a kid my parents would occasionally rent a system from the video store. And I did play at friends' houses but not before I was 8 or 9, I think. I am thinking that my kids are still too little to introduce it now... I'll probably be having this internal debate with myself for a while and then it'll be too late to get one and the decision will be made for me 😅
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 13, 2021 19:49:21 GMT -6
FFWC my 6.5yo has only had one real play date, 2 years ago. He plays outdoor sports, attends school, and has gone to plenty of bday parties. But idk, it just hasn’t come up 🤷🏻♀️. MH has a PlayStation upstairs in the room that serves as my office. My DS1 does have one video game on there but he doesn’t have access to that room unless we allow him. If we allowed free access he would totally be obsessed. L is 5 and has never had a real play date, or been to a birthday party lol. I don't foresee letting him have an indoor or dropoff type playdate anytime soon.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Oct 14, 2021 11:20:04 GMT -6
Ordered pajamas.
It’s a start.
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Post by ovenrack on Oct 14, 2021 16:09:03 GMT -6
I’m getting M a desktop mirror. What do you call it? Plain one side, magnifying on the other. On a little stand that tilts. She was obsessed with my sister’s when we visited her.
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 14, 2021 16:34:52 GMT -6
On the topic of the Lego catalogue, L took his for show and tell today and according to him all the kids were raising their hands to ask where to get one. Eventually the teacher said (his words): "the Lego store, the Lego store, the Lego store, you get one at the Lego store!" 😂
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 14, 2021 16:36:54 GMT -6
I also checked out some of the book recommendations on GD and I decided to get L a box set of Zoey and Sassafras and N a box set of Unicorn Diaries. I'll pick them up tomorrow.
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tj
Moderator
Posts: 9,912 Likes: 24,842
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Post by tj on Oct 14, 2021 19:25:31 GMT -6
I’m getting M a desktop mirror. What do you call it? Plain one side, magnifying on the other. On a little stand that tilts. She was obsessed with my sister’s when we visited her. Oh my gosh, what a great idea! I always just called them a makeup mirror or cosmetic mirror, but I’m sure there’s a fancier name. My kids are always yoinking mind.
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rugger
Amethyst
Posts: 5,768 Likes: 14,536
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Post by rugger on Oct 14, 2021 20:03:24 GMT -6
Ok, starting to get some ideas... We got an Amazon toy catalog in the mail, so they circled all the things.
Legos for both Earring making kit and knitting loom for R Stuffed animal (that looks like PG) and new Uno game for A.
S is forever difficult to shop for, so a big 🤷🤷 to that list
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mapleme
Amethyst
Posts: 6,065 Likes: 16,081
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Post by mapleme on Oct 14, 2021 20:19:52 GMT -6
Today was DH's birthday and I bought him a giant bag of snacks. He almost never goes shopping anymore (a habit that we got into during covid times), so he's not going to discover all of these fancy, random snacks himself. He really enjoyed the gift.
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Post by ovenrack on Oct 14, 2021 20:59:39 GMT -6
Today was DH's birthday and I bought him a giant bag of snacks. He almost never goes shopping anymore (a habit that we got into during covid times), so he's not going to discover all of these fancy, random snacks himself. He really enjoyed the gift. That’s a great idea. A doesn’t like sweets much (it’s terrible) but he does like those wafer cookies with vanilla “creme” between them. One year I bought like 7 different brands of those (lots are European) and we had fun taste testing over a few weeks. I should try that again… with something else. Hmm. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Post by pbandj714 on Oct 15, 2021 8:07:49 GMT -6
I have no ideas for the kids this year. Usually I'm full of ideas but this year I've got nothing.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Oct 15, 2021 8:41:37 GMT -6
I think I might steal the snack idea for a lot of the gifts.
My husband wants a whiskey advent calendar. Does anyone have a recommendation?
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Post by mintyblueair on Oct 15, 2021 14:29:41 GMT -6
I went to the craft market with my mom this afternoon and it was kind of a bust. I got a variety pack of beer from a local brewery for MH and "hot chocolate bombs" for all the stockings. I had browsed through the vendors online beforehand and I feel like I didn't see some of them there, so I'll look into possibly ordering online.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Oct 17, 2021 7:22:51 GMT -6
Hello I'm back with more switch questions. nikkipal sarenu I ordered the switch package, and mario kart. I have a second joy-con controller in my cart and a couple other games (paw patrol, super mario brothers, and animal crossing). Is a pro controller easier to use for kids than the joycon ones? M is 4.5 and J is 7. J's hands are almost as big as mine. Let's be honest, I will be playing as well - I am very excited about both mario kart and animal crossing. My kids have very limited experience with gaming systems (just a little bit of wii) so they are going to have a learning curve and I'm trying to lessen the frustration for them. I am hoping that all 4 of us can play mario kart together so I want to make sure we have enough controllers to accomodate that. I saw they also have steering wheel things for mario kart but I feel like I didn't like using those on the wii so I dont know that I want to get them for the switch unless it is necessary. Eventually I foresee us having lots of mario games, zelda, and ultimately Minecraft when I'm ready for J to delve into that world. That's a thread for another day because his friends are into it but I feel like I"ve heard conflicting things about it and am confused as to when I should let him get into it. As of now he reminds me every day that when he turns 10 he would like it as a gift for his birthday, because Alexa told him it is recommended for ages 10 and up. *also I think I said my last gaming system was a N64 which I remember now is not true, we had a Wii many years ago. MH had an xbox but I never used it. I'm sure no one cares, but I don't like to leave falsehoods on the internets.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Oct 17, 2021 7:24:30 GMT -6
I think I might steal the snack idea for a lot of the gifts. My husband wants a whiskey advent calendar. Does anyone have a recommendation? MH wants one too and I told him to make his own for heaven's sake. He has approximately 40 bottles already. I volunteered to make one for him from his own stuff so it would be a surprise. A couple of our local liquor stores are doing wine & whiskey advent calendars, I'm not sure yet where they got them from.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Oct 17, 2021 7:26:17 GMT -6
I ordered myself a new christmas tree and an inflatable christmas sheepdog for our front porch. I have been on team No Inflatables for years but finally decided one on the porch would be ok. Things like this are a slippery slope with MH, if I agreed to one in the yard it would quickly escalate to an entire yard full of every inflatable the kids wanted. No Thank You.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Oct 17, 2021 7:27:21 GMT -6
I don't know if any of you get the Lakeshore catalogue, but they have some really cool stuff and my kids found a lot they circled for their list. I'm more likely to order stuff from their Lakeshore list than their Amazon catalogue list.
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