I am overreacting?

Okay, I let my son sleep over a new friends' house last night. Okay, my husband met the family and spent time in the household and the family is very nice. Here's why I'm upset........................

My son just told me that he had a blast at his friends house. That they shot BB guns and bows and arrows.

Would you be upset by this? I do not allow my child to stay in a household where guns are. Why didn't they call and ask our permission? I am really upset about this. Am I overreacting? They were well supervised, but I don't like guns, I don't want my son exposed to guns, I just don't like the whole idea. Am I wrong? What is wrong with parents today?

Re: I am overreacting?

How old is your son?

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He's 12 years old.

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oh dear. he's just a lil boy.

that's terrible. I"m very sorry. I know that if it were my son, I'd def give the other child's parents a phone call and express my concern. They should have never allowed such a thing to go on, especially without consulting you about it first.

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I don't think that's right at all. I also don't think you're overreacting. What if there was an accident? What would the parents say....sorry?

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BB guns and bows & arrows? What was that mother thinking? I don't want to treat my son like a baby, but this is ridiculous. I know I need to let go and let him grow........but not in this direction.

Damn..............

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i would say something to them

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What did he sleep over Ted Nugents house!!! OMG...I would be SOOOOO not happy!!!

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I don't want to be considered an overprotective mother..................but I told my husband "do you understand why I am the way I am?" You just can't trust anyone. I don't care that the father is a doctor and the mother is an OR nurse. You would think they would know better.

Thank you girls. I thought I was being overprotective. Thank you for agreeing with me.

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We have archery supplies and.. muzzleloaders and rifles. My husband hunts and it supplies our meat for the winter.

Were the boys supervised? If they were supervised I think it is fine.

I don't find it the other parents fault for not checking with you first. Especially if they had met and spoke with your husband prior. Obviously you wouldn't have left your son in there care if your husband didn't feel them out and talk with them.

I would be ****** if they weren't supervised though or if it was something new to the other little boy but I doubt it.

Archery is a great and hard sport many little boys start it younger then 11.

I might think differently then most but I think children raised around guns (with adult supervision) are safer then children who are sheltered from them.. because those children are more tempted to do unsafe things with them.

I'm guessing there may be more to the story then what your son is telling you so you might want to call the parents and speak about it and share your feelings if you are that aganist it so they know if the boys play again to not bring out those things.

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I would def. be upset...

My mothers side of the family are all BIG hunters... so I was always exposed to guns in rifles...however they were always locked away in a display case...

My grandfather starting taking my brothers..at maybe even younger than 12... but they were well supervised and my mother permission was granted...

This is your son.... and you should of been the one to make the decision of whether or not your child should be allowed to participate in such activities!!!!

Re: I am overreacting?

You are absolutely NOT overreacting!!!!

The bow and arrow thing doesnt bug me as much but the BB gun is something extra that they should have asked your permission about. Its not like they gave him chocolate ice cream or let him stay up too late.

GUNS are dangerous. Maybe if you were raised aorund them you are used to it. BUt guns are dangerous and children are children. I dont care if they are used to them, they are still children and ther eis a reason children can not buy guns (even BB guns). With or without supervision your permission should have been asked.

Did they actually let your child handle the gun. I dont think I would be happy, but I would understand more if they were just doing it in front of them. Then I dont think they need your permission (as distasteful as I would personally fee this would be) but you should explain your feelings about guns to your son.

What a strange first play date

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Re: I am overreacting?

OMG I would have freaked! NO FREAKING WAY! That parent has NO RIGHT to assume that you are ok with that!

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I do agree with education on handling and seriousness of weapons, but that is MY job for MY son. I would not be happy about someone else taking this stuff out for the sole purpose of entertaining my 12 year old.

And I just asked DH if he would do that since we do have that stuff in the house, he said no F-ing way. Def not without knowing the parents and child WELL and asking their permission. And that would only be maybe with the bow and arrows, supervised.

BTW, where do you live? That stuff is more popular in some areas than others. I can't picture breaking out the Bow and Arrows back in Queens?

Message edited 8/28/2005 2:24:17 PM.

Re: I am overreacting?

no way- i would call them and let them know that you would like to be called if they ever want to play with anything like that ever again.
SOme parents are just so inconciderate.

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Well I would of been upset that the parents didn't see if it was ok that my child be exposed to that but then again if your husband has been around the family he had to know about the bb gun and the bow and arrow. In my family there are a lot of hunters and they all take the boys younger then 12 with them to introduce them to hunting and show them the proper way to handle the bow and arrow/gun.