Guest guest Posted January 12, 2003 Report Share Posted January 12, 2003 I found some pro vegetarian books to explain our feelings to my son, and now need more. My son understands that animals are " our friends " , and he doesn't want to hurt them. Now my son is almost 4 years old, and likes to pretend to shoot. I don't allow him to have any toy guns, but he'll use anything, even a crayon and pretend it's a weapon making " bam " sounds. I know this is normal for a little boy, but do you know of any books or videos that teach why guns or violence is bad? I tell him I don't like guns and shooting hurts people. He says " I'm just pretending, Mom " , but I just don't like him pretending to shoot! Danielle Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2003 Report Share Posted January 13, 2003 My son understands that animals are " our friends " , and he doesn't want to hurt them. Now my son is almost 4 years old, and likes to pretend to shoot. I don't allow him to have any toy guns, but he'll use anything, even a crayon and pretend it's a weapon making " bam " sounds. I know this is normal for a little boy, but do you know of any books or videos that teach why guns or violence is bad? I tell him I don't like guns and shooting hurts people. He says " I'm just pretending, Mom " , but I just don't like him pretending to shoot! Danielle, Welcome to parenting a son! My son is 7 now. Yes vegan as well. He has been pretend shooting for yrs. now. When he was 2-3 he would bit off part of a cracker and pretend to shoot with that. I haven't found books that teach about guns and such. I just keep reinforcing the message of kindness and gentleness. We also choose books with messages that are about treating the earth with respect including all beings. Now is he more into board games and legos and cars and lots of sports. So, it will get better. Peace, Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2003 Report Share Posted January 13, 2003 Not just boys... my daughter does this, too. *sigh* Sandra > I know this is normal for a little boy, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2003 Report Share Posted January 13, 2003 Danielle, I don't know of any anti-gun books for kids. I can tell you what my parents did with us and my feelings are like yours when it comes to guns. Many of my friends with little boys are doing the same thing and it seems to really help. Teach him the rules of guns even though he's just pretending; don't shoot at people or any other living creature. Always hold the gun a certain way. There is no such thing as an unloaded gun, etc.... I fear that any book on this subject for kids would be difficult because, in order to show the dangers of guns, they have to show the damage done. I don't think they can make the cognitive leap from " Johnny got shot " to " Johnny can't walk " without the in between. I also don't think they can really get the feeling of what it would be like for the person who shot Johnny. Make sense? My daughter is 4 and she's doing it too even though I don't allow violent tv in the house. For whatever reason, she does it. We are applying real gun rules to her play guns, too. All I know for sure is that this approach worked for me. I hope it works for Joy, too. Lucy Danielle <daniellej0 wrote: I found some pro vegetarian books to explain our feelings to my son, and now need more. My son understands that animals are " our friends " , and he doesn't want to hurt them. Now my son is almost 4 years old, and likes to pretend to shoot. I don't allow him to have any toy guns, but he'll use anything, even a crayon and pretend it's a weapon making " bam " sounds. I know this is normal for a little boy, but do you know of any books or videos that teach why guns or violence is bad? I tell him I don't like guns and shooting hurts people. He says " I'm just pretending, Mom " , but I just don't like him pretending to shoot! Danielle Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2003 Report Share Posted January 13, 2003 Danielle, don't know of any anti-gun books but the members of the million mom march probably do. I believe their website is millionmommarch.org. Good luck with the playacting. I've seen it in 4 and 5 year olds all raised in conscientious homes and it can be very disturbing. Stephanie - Danielle Saturday, January 11, 2003 7:27 PM Anti gun books for children I found some pro vegetarian books to explain our feelings to my son, and now need more. My son understands that animals are " our friends " , and he doesn't want to hurt them. Now my son is almost 4 years old, and likes to pretend to shoot. I don't allow him to have any toy guns, but he'll use anything, even a crayon and pretend it's a weapon making " bam " sounds. I know this is normal for a little boy, but do you know of any books or videos that teach why guns or violence is bad? I tell him I don't like guns and shooting hurts people. He says " I'm just pretending, Mom " , but I just don't like him pretending to shoot! Danielle Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2003 Report Share Posted January 13, 2003 Just came across a book titled " Guns:What you should know " Written by Rachel Schulson $5.95 for ages 5-10 Albert Whitman and Co. Publishers Don't know anything about it, but it caught my eye as a Kindergarten teacher I don't allow any gun sounds or actions and thought I may purchase it Good Luck Pam ---- Monday, January 13, 2003 3:14:31 PM Re: Anti gun books for children My son understands that animals are " our friends " , and he doesn't want to hurt them. Now my son is almost 4 years old, and likes to pretend to shoot. I don't allow him to have any toy guns, but he'll use anything, even a crayon and pretend it's a weapon making " bam " sounds. I know this is normal for a little boy, but do you know of any books or videos that teach why guns or violence is bad? I tell him I don't like guns and shooting hurts people. He says " I'm just pretending, Mom " , but I just don't like him pretending to shoot! Danielle, Welcome to parenting a son! My son is 7 now. Yes vegan as well. He has been pretend shooting for yrs. now. When he was 2-3 he would bit off part of a cracker and pretend to shoot with that. I haven't found books that teach about guns and such. I just keep reinforcing the message of kindness and gentleness. We also choose books with messages that are about treating the earth with respect including all beings. Now is he more into board games and legos and cars and lots of sports. So, it will get better. Peace, Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 " The Gnats of Knotty Pines " is a great book. It's anti-hunting and a great story. I just looked at it on Amazon.com, so it's there. We also have " The Hunter I Might Have Been " . But it's not available on Amazon at the moment. It's a really good book about a kid deciding not to kill a bird. Good luck, Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 Thanks for the idea Lucy. My almost 4 year old daughter just did her first violent fantasy play today. I knew it was around the corner but how weird that it should happen when this subject came up with all of us. It wasn't shooting it was stabbing but it was just as startling. Two years ago when Maryland (where we live) made gun education mandatory in public schools my husband freaked until I explained that it's like sex-ed, teaching them won't make them do it education makes their decisions more responsible ones. Guess that falls in line with what your parents taught you. Thanks again. Stephanie - Lucy Watkins Monday, January 13, 2003 11:07 AM Re: Anti gun books for children Danielle, I don't know of any anti-gun books for kids. I can tell you what my parents did with us and my feelings are like yours when it comes to guns. Many of my friends with little boys are doing the same thing and it seems to really help. Teach him the rules of guns even though he's just pretending; don't shoot at people or any other living creature. Always hold the gun a certain way. There is no such thing as an unloaded gun, etc.... I fear that any book on this subject for kids would be difficult because, in order to show the dangers of guns, they have to show the damage done. I don't think they can make the cognitive leap from " Johnny got shot " to " Johnny can't walk " without the in between. I also don't think they can really get the feeling of what it would be like for the person who shot Johnny. Make sense? My daughter is 4 and she's doing it too even though I don't allow violent tv in the house. For whatever reason, she does it. We are applying real gun rules to her play guns, too. All I know for sure is that this approach worked for me. I hope it works for Joy, too. Lucy Danielle <daniellej0 wrote: I found some pro vegetarian books to explain our feelings to my son, and now need more. My son understands that animals are " our friends " , and he doesn't want to hurt them. Now my son is almost 4 years old, and likes to pretend to shoot. I don't allow him to have any toy guns, but he'll use anything, even a crayon and pretend it's a weapon making " bam " sounds. I know this is normal for a little boy, but do you know of any books or videos that teach why guns or violence is bad? I tell him I don't like guns and shooting hurts people. He says " I'm just pretending, Mom " , but I just don't like him pretending to shoot! Danielle Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2003 Report Share Posted January 14, 2003 > Just came across a book titled " Guns:What you should know " Written by > Rachel Schulson $5.95 for ages 5-10 > Albert Whitman and Co. Publishers Thanks Pam, I'll check it out and maybe donate to my son's school library. Peace, Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2003 Report Share Posted January 15, 2003 Here is what I found at Amazon. I've not read these (yet), so can't give reviews. Guns Are Not For Fun by D. C. Dailey Guns - What You Should Know: What You Should Know by Rachel Schulson The Berenstain Bears No Guns Allowed by Stan & Jan Berenstain Trin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 Okay, I think it's time for me to shock and upset the list. Kids pretend gun play is nothing to be concerned about, it isn't inherently bad and you probably can't stop it anyway (you'll have to stop buying bananas because they'll shoot them too). When kids are learning things and trying to understand them, one of the things that they do is act out and create little fantasy " morality plays " to help them work through their feelings and thoughts. Playing cops and robbers and things like that are kids going through their own morality plays and working through ideas of " the good guy " and " the bad guy " , basic right and wrong and it really has little to do with the guns. You are better off focusing on exposing them as regularly as possibly to the right kinds of messages, books like the original Felix Salten novel " Bambi " (not the disney version), " The Little Prince " , " The Lorax " and " The Butter Battle Book " , having pets that they help care for, taking them with you to do volunteer work, but letting them use play to express their feelings in a free, safe way. Play really is an important way for kids to figure out right and wrong and priorities about many things in their existence and the world around them, where things fit and generally develop a sense of perspective. Hopefully play is also fun for them. I think that the reduced amount of free play that kids have now, caused by duel income families and the spread out suburban neighborhoods and the excessive amounts of homework that kids get these days, has been more harmful to the social and emotion development of kids than anything else I've seen. The results are pretty evident in the shocking lack of social skills and lack of basic ethics/principles that we see in young people all around us. Did I insult enough people yet? I can go on . . . Phil Welsher (former toy gun user) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 > Kids pretend >gun play is nothing to be concerned about, it isn't inherently bad and you >probably can't stop it anyway (you'll have to stop buying bananas because >they'll shoot them too). We don't have toy guns in the house but my boys LOVE to " shoot " ! We have a rule of no shooting people or animals... My husband the pacifist likes to remind me that during his childhood during Vietnam he spent hours outside with his friends " shooting " each other... Carmen in Zurich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 As usual, Phil, you're right on target. I agree 100%. Bonnie - Sat, 18 Jan 2003 00:35:32 EST PhilLand Re: Anti gun books for children snip <it really has little to do with the guns. You are better off focusing on exposing them as regularly as possibly to the right kinds of messages> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 >>We don't have toy guns in the house but my boys LOVE to " shoot " ! We have a rule of no shooting people or animals...<< I don't get it! By your own words, they love to shoot. Shooting at small red targets is a World Class Sport, even a major event in the Olympics. I faced off against " motivated men with guns " in Vietnam while I was a US Marine. The last thing I want is for anyone else to face what I went through, but let's get real! Guns, even toy guns, are not the problem--ethics and morality are!! I suggest that when parents and pacifists are secure enough in their own ethics and confident enough in their own morality and then have the ability to effectively communicate them both to their children, " toy guns " will once again become " just a toy. " I don't mean to offend anyone or belittle any beliefs, so remember this is just my opinion. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 No offense here. I'm seeing more and more violent themed playacting in my almost 4 yo daughter although shocking, it really seems to me that she is trying to figure out some pretty heavy concepts. She talks a lot about death and dying too. Like us, our daughter believes it's wrong to kill or hurt any living thing. We hope talking to her openly about the effects of violence and about death will help her assimilate these complicated facts of our society. Stephanie - PhilLand Saturday, January 18, 2003 12:35 AM Re: Anti gun books for children Okay, I think it's time for me to shock and upset the list. Kids pretend gun play is nothing to be concerned about, it isn't inherently bad and you probably can't stop it anyway (you'll have to stop buying bananas because they'll shoot them too). When kids are learning things and trying to understand them, one of the things that they do is act out and create little fantasy " morality plays " to help them work through their feelings and thoughts. Playing cops and robbers and things like that are kids going through their own morality plays and working through ideas of " the good guy " and " the bad guy " , basic right and wrong and it really has little to do with the guns. You are better off focusing on exposing them as regularly as possibly to the right kinds of messages, books like the original Felix Salten novel " Bambi " (not the disney version), " The Little Prince " , " The Lorax " and " The Butter Battle Book " , having pets that they help care for, taking them with you to do volunteer work, but letting them use play to express their feelings in a free, safe way. Play really is an important way for kids to figure out right and wrong and priorities about many things in their existence and the world around them, where things fit and generally develop a sense of perspective. Hopefully play is also fun for them. I think that the reduced amount of free play that kids have now, caused by duel income families and the spread out suburban neighborhoods and the excessive amounts of homework that kids get these days, has been more harmful to the social and emotion development of kids than anything else I've seen. The results are pretty evident in the shocking lack of social skills and lack of basic ethics/principles that we see in young people all around us. Did I insult enough people yet? I can go on . . . Phil Welsher (former toy gun user) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2003 Report Share Posted January 22, 2003 > PhilLand > Re: Anti gun books for children > > Okay, I think it's time for me to shock and upset the list. Kids pretend > gun play is nothing to be concerned about, it isn't inherently bad and you > probably can't stop it anyway (you'll have to stop buying bananas because > they'll shoot them too). > > When kids are learning things and trying to understand them, one of the > things that they do is act out and create little fantasy " morality plays " to > help them work through their feelings and thoughts. (snip other insightful thoughts) > Did I insult enough people yet? I can go on . . . Hardly > > Phil Welsher (former toy gun user) Must be fun in Phil Land. Actually, I'm not only writing to add my voice to those in agreement with the above sentiment (and those I snipped). I also want to add a thought to the discussion. Forbidding an item makes it all the more enticing and interesting to a kid. We " forbid " them (for lack of a better word) enough things - from meat to too much tv - so what they play with and how they play with it is, IMO, up to the kids. As long as no one is *really* getting hurt. My friend always told her son that she didn't like guns, even pretend, but she didn't forbid him playing with them. When he was 6ish, he walked in on a newscast showing dead bodies, and when she told him that that's what guns do, he never again played with guns or pretended to shoot. It's unfortunate he had to see that, and my friend was disturbed that he saw it, but it certainly made the issue clear for him, at an age that it meant something. ~Doh -- Taking into account the public's regrettable lack of taste, it is incumbent upon you not to fit in. > > > Playing cops and robbers and things like that are kids going through their > own morality plays and working through ideas of " the good guy " and " the bad > guy " , basic right and wrong and it really has little to do with the guns. > > You are better off focusing on exposing them as regularly as possibly to the > right kinds of messages, books like the original Felix Salten novel " Bambi " > (not the disney version), " The Little Prince " , " The Lorax " and " The Butter > Battle Book " , having pets that they help care for, taking them with you to do > volunteer work, but letting them use play to express their feelings in a > free, safe way. > > Play really is an important way for kids to figure out right and wrong and > priorities about many things in their existence and the world around them, > where things fit and generally develop a sense of perspective. Hopefully > play is also fun for them. > > I think that the reduced amount of free play that kids have now, caused by > duel income families and the spread out suburban neighborhoods and the > excessive amounts of homework that kids get these days, has been more harmful > to the social and emotion development of kids than anything else I've seen. > The results are pretty evident in the shocking lack of social skills and lack > of basic ethics/principles that we see in young people all around us. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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