Once we got home we sang happy birthday, enjoyed some store bought birthday cake, and proceeded to open presents. My son got a few toys, some plastic Cowboys and Indians, underwear, socks, and some new shoes for school. Overall it wasn't presents of the decade but he was happy just ripping open wrapping paper. It wasn't until his Dad snuck in the last gift, unwrapped, in a long cardboard box, that I became a bit confused. I had no clue what it was until my son opened it and with instinct, pointed it across the room. It was a GUN!
This wasn't like a water gun, or a foam dart shooting gun. This was a Rifle...that shoots pellets. It can't kill a person but it can sure blind one and it could totally kill a small animal or rodent.
My mouth was wide open in shock, disbelief, and anger. Who in their right mind would get a six year old boy a gun? Well the answer to that is: his Father. Where his Father comes from, getting guns as young children is normal and perfectly acceptable. Ok that's fine and all, but his Dad grew up in North Dakota!! People hunt to live out there. That's no where close to how southern California is. This kid can barely be responsible enough to remember to brush his teeth.
I don't believe in killing things for fun or sport. I don't believe in guns either... Everyone in my immediate family knows this. His Father seems to think this is the only way to teach a boy how to be a man. Being an experienced Mother and educated in the studies of early childhood development, I know for a fact that isn't the only way to teach a boy to be a man... but I am not a man. How do I make my argument and have someone fully understand that I know what I'm talking about?
Regardless of whether or not I am qualified, I am this child's Mother. I raised him from a baby, teaching him to talk, walk, and think. I believe he should live by my beliefs and morals until he is old enough to make some of his own. This isn't like me wanting him to play basketball but his Father signs him up for baseball... to me this is like me being a Christian and his Father making him be an Atheist.
Up until this point I've lowkey expressed my opinions on this, but this weekend he actually killed something with this gun. Granted it was a squirrel, but still. He killed something with the gun he was given on his sixth birthday before he even knew exactly what "Death" means. This is unacceptable to me. And when picking one's battles, this is a war I am fully prepared to go the distance in even though I am an army of one.
Does anyone else agree with me? Disagree? If it was you in this situation, how would you handle it? Any and all opinions and/or suggestions are welcomed.
2 comments:
I completely agree with you...and can also relate. I know it puts you in a difficult situation. One which I've found myself in plenty of times, considering the fact that my child's father and I are not together. A tough war to fight, but ultimately you win!
Ya intuition and smarts and insight always shine Brittany. You're almost never wrong....lol(keyword almost). But in this case, you had every right to be a lil uncomfortable with that gift. Ya son is just too young to have one....Granted its a male thing, ya feeling on the whole thing are totally valid....But what can you do?
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