First of all, boys love weapons… they just do. Even if you ban them from the house, they will find a way to learn about them, so why not embrace it and let them learn the right information? My son is nine. I have recently downloaded a weapons app on to my iTouch. It’s an encyclopedia type app and gives him decent stats about all these weapons and he is engaged and learning historical facts and it holds his interest for right now. Guns and ammo are all he and his friends ever talk about. And they do it with fervor. I don’t allow the RP war video games b/c I think they are too real, but I let him watch the Military Channel and he absorbs historical war facts. I don’t want to squash this desire and I secretly hope that by allowing it, he’ll not only educate himself with factual data but that he’ll burn out of it soon. And he’ll know enough not to put himself in a dangerous situation……
We started with PlayMobile years ago and it was a wonderful play tool. My sister got my son the dragon and he loved it! But we have always embraced dragons and wizards, and other flights of fantasy!
You gotta do what works for you, but keep in mind that children often go for the “taboo” that mom and dad don’t allow….
Samantha, you are right, it is hard when other parents don’t agree and while some may think I am crazy for letting my son explore this, as I said, there are limits and not every parent has the same limits as I so we navigate our way through it and figure it out. It is what it is….
but I also try to remember myself as a kid and how much more confident and vital I felt when adults were interested in what I had to say. I really don’t want to know that much about the weapons my son studies, but you know what? He wants to tell me and I will listen b/c it’s one of his interests and he is one of mine and I want him to feel confident and vital and that his interests matter to me.

Dana, you didn’t read my comment then…. along with what I stated above, my nine year old has a BB gun (Red Ryder!), and a bunch of nerf guns. And for Christmas, he’s getting a compound bow! I also buy him camo so he has a camo fleece hat and a camo canvas jacket (just got that!).

I guess that Henry Cricket we got our 10 yr old would be a no=-go in your house too eh?
I’m with Dana- responsible use of guns for those with a real liking for them. Our son’s been shooting for a little over a year now and he’s quite a good marksman.
And yes, of course the guns and ammo are both locked up in safes- indifferent ones in different areas of the house too.
Logicalmama- were our sons separated at birth? We can’t see him if he’s NOT wearing his camo,. LOL!

As for the moon dough and the beads…although they are the bane of my existence, I have both. The bead are great for fine motor skills. And the moon dough is great for building finger strength. I use a plastic table cover to contain the moodough and use a boot tray to contain the beads. It works…mostly.

wow, what a joke. Boys will be boys. My son went to a pre k school that banned any kid from making a pistol with their finger even! It didn’t work, the BOYS did this anyways!

You know what sends the wrong message sunny? Growing up in a country that talks about freedom and meanwhile occupies over 150 countries!!!

I do not think a nerf gun makes a future killer or gun aficionado.

So We have 5 of these toys lol

Transformers, the GlowDome which my kids lost interest in in 5 min. The drum set – that my mother bought to be annoying- not cool, Mima. The Easy Bake Oven, another that my mom bought- and we have Never playd with it. I agree ab making real food. And We also have Lala Loopsies… But I think they’re really cute!

And I totally agree on the Bratz dolls and moondough. I think I despise moon dough more than play dough. It is impossible to pick up and clean up.

i agree with TheFeministBreeder. I have a 2 year old and he LOVES to play with the broom!!! I will be glad to be able to get him his OWN so he doesn’t have to play with the one i use for my kitchen floor!!! He can sweep the carpet in the living room in peace!!!
as far as transformers, i have a 10 year old who played with them CONSTANTLY, but i always took the guns off before i gave it to him. Why ban a whole toy, when u can remove what u dislike?? Just one Gals opinion!! Good luck!! :)

Wow and I thought I was the picky parent when it comes to gifts. I do not like the boys playing with guns & Halo also. I have seen way too many sweet boys turn into violent brats after playing that game (including my son). Brats are a no-no I have never even gotten one for a niece who Only wanted them. But we do own the oven (used it once),the glow dome not messy it’s just markers we love it. Drum set was a hit till it fell apart. The 2 yo is getting a broom set this year because he always drags ours around and I can’t afford to replace anymore windows right now.