Yesterday morning, Little Brother (7 and 3/4) exercised a relatively new freedom and went to the shops without adult supervision to buy his brother’s Christmas present. Older Brother (10) went along too, to “help” - so no surprises then! Even when Little Brother told me with a sheepish grin that I wouldn’t like what he’d bought, the alarm bells didn’t really ring - so it was only last night, when unpacking at my parents’ house, that I discovered The Present: a “Western Rider cowboy gun” with firing sound. The conversation that ensued was difficult for both of us - I hated to undermine his independance and he was so excited about giving Older Brother something he wanted. I have convinced him that we will find something else in town this morning that will be more than equally appreciated. We still need to talk things through with Older Brother, however…
I have just re-read author Kate Beckwith’s recent Personal View for PaperTigers: “Helping Kids See that War is Not a Game”; and I’ve followed her link to her page on the Tilbury website, with further ideas and resources for helping our children make their own decision about playing war. I’m more determined than ever to get hold of her picture-book Playing War, which hasn’t been published (yet?) in the UK - I wish I had it by me now!
In the meantime, it would be great to hear what your views are on this, and about any other books you have found invaluable in helping kids realise that war is indeed not a game.