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House of Doom
Posted by Sheri at 8/19/2007 7:40 AM and is filed under uncategorized 
I have explained to my husband over and over again how terribly uncomfortable I am with the idea of our kids being allowed toy guns. While he doesn’t necessarily have a problem with the concept of toy guns himself, he assured me he’d totally and completely support me on this.
He’s such a great guy. Not only is he supportive when we’re in disagreement, but he even watches the kids a couple of times a month so I can go out with my girlfriends. Just last weekend I went out to lunch with a friend and came home to find Ethan fully engaged with our children, down on the floor with them and everything.
I noticed when I got home that our camping tent had been erected in our living room. Turns out he needed to put up the makeshift bomb shelter to protect his progeny. What? You don’t have a bomb shelter in your living room? You are so silly. How do you plan to protect yourself from the chemical warfare (spray sunscreen) and poison lava (bubbles)?
Ethan and the kids skirted disaster when their anti-aircraft arsenal (bristle blocks) successfully detonated the roadside bombs (wiffle balls). The opposing enemies (Dora and Boots) were in prime attack mode, missiles at the ready (Aquadoodle pens). I am just so eternally grateful that my family was rescued by the passing armored combat vehicle (little red tricycle adorned with ribbon and bell, which at no point was I upset was on my living room carpet). Never have you witnessed a tougher looking group of men than my kids’ rescuers (the Wiggles).
Nothing warms my heart like watching Crusher’s French toast sticks battle it out with his raspberries, complete with the requisite gunfire soundtrack all boys are innately born to imitate.
But as you can see, there are no toy guns in our house. I appreciate my husband because I know not everyone’s is as supportive as mine. Sorry ladies, the Ethanator is taken!
I got so many awesome ideas!! LOL!!! I never would have thought about using the tent as a bomb shelter! And the soundtrack.....yup....my son's got it as well!!
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I used to be vehemently against guns as well. I still don't love them, but...I realized I was fighting a losing battle. Boys are steeped in a culture of violence and unfortunately, it's something they learn from peers and role models other than parents. I realized that whether I allowed toy guns or not, violence would find it's way into our home.
So, I decided that we needed to talk about it. They're good kids with good hearts and they "get" that being kind and generous is something we all need to work harder at.
Still. They like to play cops and robbers. Cowboys and Indians. Knight of the Round Table. Gladiators.
SIGH.
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I've also been blessed with a supportive fun loving hubby. It's so great!
And you're so right about the gunfire soundtrack boys are born to imitate. I just can't make sounds as convincing as theirs.
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He's taken huh? You're positive about that. Ok then.
My mom was adament about guns. We spent all of our time making guns out of other items. She'd have saved us a ton of time by at least giving us a water gun.
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Yup, is all I've got to say on that....yup.....to everything you just said....lol!
xx
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I tried to keep my boys away from guns, violence, etc, etc - until the day I saw them shooting each other with Mr. Potato Head arms.
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I'm still laughing! And it's so interesting that with 2 boys and 2 girls, the boys always found a stick, an appendage, a shampoo bottle, or even a banana or zucchini that made a perfect weapon! And my husband and I were opposed to guns!
Sharon - Pinks & Blues
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Nice. In our house, Boots would have been a casualty. Dang little monkey.
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Wow, what imagination. Sounds like your hubby is a keeper!
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Sounds like you may have a guest blogger if you need a break...I'm anxious to hear what he'll do with a showdown between Ken and GI Joe...
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Sounds like a fun dad!
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My kids construct weapons out of everything too. It's a losing battle. Sigh.
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Yeah, as someone once told me, you can ban toy guns, but they always have their fingers. True enough, so I cut them off.
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Yep, no matter what, violence seems to find a way in families
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Very sweet! Your husband seems like a real kid at heart...as is mine. It's a wonderful feeling to see your husband so into his kids...and enjoying every minute of it!
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My sweet, sweet Little Man is already into sword fighting. And he's not even two yet.
Boys, they're definitely a different breed.
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Hey, now you just opened yourself up to a whole new world of playdates. I hear the kids of the NRA members are really sweet.
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This is great! Incidentally, Dora and Boots are opposing enemies in my house, too. Even when there isn't a bomb shelter in the living room.
Jane, P&B Girls
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Ok my wife told me I had to read your blog. She said that I might get some idea's for my next weekend alone with the kids. Oh and I did tell your husband thanks and tell him next time a big blanket over the dining room table works just as good as a tent and a lot faster!!
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My husband and your husband would get along splendidly!
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We had a no gun, no sword rule in our house too, until we realized that every stick or stray pencil would quickly be weapon-ized. Boys are simply joyful.
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I too have been fighting the gun battle (and really only for a wee bit of time as Tooty is only 2). I had an interesting scenario the other day, as I was at a Pool/Birthday Party and there were water guns. I didn't know if I should say no and risk offending the host or just let it go. I let it go and now I'm feeling a bit guilty. I have a feeling that I will relax on other things too. Bravo to hubby's imagination!
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