Despite my Idaho roots I am anti guns, hunting, and all other killing activities (I make an exception for mouse traps). George doesn't have any play guns (have you noticed that Woody from Toy Story doesn't have a gun in his holster?) and though he recently attended Zane's birthday party at Cabela's where the kids took pretend target practice in the shooting range I was happy to see that George was much more excited about the animals than shooting the gun. So you can imagine my confusion when earlier today George found a toy gun and proceeded to point it at his cousin's and say, "bam, bam." How did he know to point the gun and say bam, bam? Do I blame Cabela's (nurture) or is nature in charge on this one? Actually, I can live with the fact that nature may have won this one and that little boys like to play with guns whether you knowingly expose them or not, but real guns are dangerous and regardless of what nature may or may not be responsible for I (nurture) am responsible for teaching George about safety and respect for others and am just not sure how to explain these things to a two year old.
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3 comments:
I can imagine that's a hard lesson to teach a little boy because I 100% agree with you on this one!
I'm with you on this one, too, but have taken a different approach. I grew up with 4 brothers, and until the last one, we NEVER had toy guns in the house. My baby brother was extremely spoiled (in a good way!) and had the classic G.I. Joe toys with guns and things. I remember my mom saying that most boys will turn anything from a stick to their fork into a gun and "bam-bam" anything and everything around them. Even if you haven't allowed toy guns in the home. I think it's just their nature.
I have allowed my boys to have toy guns. We talk about not pointing them at people. They are allowed to shoot pretend monsters and inanimate objects around the house. I've noticed that their friends that come over who aren't allowed guns in the home are overly fascinated with them because they can't have them at home.
I've noticed the same with candy or cookies. My kids are allowed sweets in moderation- friends who aren't go absolutely NUTS, wanting to eat ALL the cookies on the plate- whereas my kids are okay to take one and move on.
I feel like this was the right decision for us- I know plenty of people who do it differently. We don't have real guns in the home (even though we live in TEXAS!) but my boys have been taught gun safety, because you don't know what's at their friends' homes...
Just my 2 bits...or was that 4? :)
Anyway- just do what you think is best for these sweet boys. It's not easy, but you're doing a great job!
I have so fought this battle and continue to do so. My son, as you know, loves to "hunt" although he doesn't really want to kill an animal just "rescue" it and move to a cage where it will be safe. Or Zane's new thing is to kill "bad" animals to keep them from killing all the little deer. Anyway, two years ago I would have never allowed a toy gun in my home until I realized that there are real guns in Driggs. I have decided to be one to introduce my sons to the purpose of guns. I want Zane to know what guns are for and not only that, He loves his toy guns. He doesn't play with them every day, not even every week so as of now I am okay with my decision. I totally concur with Emily moderation is important and also it is nature. Boys are boys, no matter how much gender neutral stuff you expose them to they are still little men. Oh and p.s. don't worry about it, in time, as George and Charlie grow you will know what the right choices are to make for them. Besides you know everything because you are their Mom.
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