Before becoming a parent, I had an extensive list of things I vowed never to do. My children would not wear inappropriate character apparel. My daughter would exclusively don one-piece swimsuits. Family dinners would be a nightly ritual, with kids going to bed hungry if they refused the nutritious meals I prepared. I would maintain a semblance of adulthood by wearing jeans, even while at home with a baby, to avoid slipping into a routine of sweatpants and t-shirts. Thank you notes would be mandatory after receiving gifts, and screen time would be limited to just one show a day. The list seemed endless, as is typical for someone without children. At the very top, however, was the resolute belief that my kids would never, ever play with toy guns.
As it often goes, I found myself dismantling these self-imposed rules one by one. Television became the most accessible (and cost-free) babysitter, and the idea of regular family dinners faded. I discovered tankinis to be quite adorable, and thank you notes could certainly wait a little longer. In retrospect, these changes were relatively harmless.
Then came the issue of toy guns. I managed to hold out for three years until one summer, when I relented and bought a small water gun for our local pool. This seemingly innocent purchase opened the floodgates, leading to a collection of Nerf guns, bullets, and even targets. We became the household I had promised myself we wouldn’t be. Now, it’s a nightly scene where my children chase each other around the house, pretending to shoot and dramatically fall to the ground.
In light of tragic events, such as the alarming shooting in Colorado that claimed at least 12 lives, I find myself reconsidering my stance on toy guns. While I know children wielding toy weapons are not committing violent acts, the normalization of guns as playthings raises concerns. Yet, given my boys’ creativity, they would likely just convert everyday objects like spoons and wands into makeshift weapons. So, what’s the solution? One thing is clear: I’m not comfortable with my kids running around pretending to shoot tonight.
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Conclusion
In summary, while parenting often involves reevaluating deeply held beliefs, finding a balance between play and safety remains crucial. As we navigate the complexities of raising children, we must also consider the broader implications of the toys we allow into our homes.
Keyphrase: toy guns and parenting
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