At the risk of sounding ridiculous...

[dragonfly08]

I'm with you on not allowing swords, guns, etc. But now I've got an 8 year old black belt in Tae Kwon Do who does weapons training with nunchuks and escrima sticks (wooden sticks about two feet long). She knows, though, the difference between training in class and playing around, and that she's not allowed to use her weapons outside of the dojang without permission to practice at home.

That said, of course the girls made "guns" and "swords" out of just about everything else over the years. We've talked about how even pretend "shooting", "killing" etc. is wrong and looked for alternatives. If then end up going back to the pretend play I figure I've done my best and kids will be kids. Plus, I can't control what goes on in the neighborhood or at other homes when they go to play dates so I know I can't protect them from it. I can just do my part to teach them about safety and the difference between what is play and what is real, and hope that sticks.

[SusanBAnthony]

Aug 22, 2012 15:04:36 GMT -5 @gypsy said:

I'd worry too much coddling will make him a wimp.

Seriously?

We have a no guns/swords rule, but that does not include pretend play with imaginary weapons, so tree branch swords are allowed until someone or something gets hurt. Usually it isn't people that are getting hurt, usually it is trees and bushes, lol.