In todays day and age it is expected that most children will have access to a computer. If not at home it will be at school. Its amazing how much they have to do on computers these days. Writting is a dying art that is being taken over by the technology that we give to them so easily. Who's fault is it? not the kids they didnt make it easy to plug and play. Although later on it will be their fault when they have kids.... I say provide the best you can for your children. I am sure your wife has her good reasons for not wanting the computer in their room, which is understood. I have a computer in my two boys room already and they are 2 and 4. They love playing the mind enhancing games like minesweeper
Go on give em the desk with the computer, if you dont have a PC or Mac for it yet, you can always fill it with homework.
