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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Nerf guns

106 replies

Girlwhowearsglasses · 15/06/2015 20:12

I don't like them. Lots of DSs friends have them. Lots of parents I know are happy about them.

DP has ordered them for the 3 DSs without telling me. I am v unhappy. DS1 has ADHD and has impulse issues. He is not able to stop doing something when he's 'in the zone'

DSs know he has ordered them.

MN jury do you have them?

OP posts:
bostonbaby · 15/06/2015 20:15

We have them.
The girls have pink ones.

TwinkieTwinkle · 15/06/2015 20:18

We have an entire box of Nerf Guns and darts. Excellent fun!

NRomanoff · 15/06/2015 20:18

We don't because neither child has asked. If they did, I would let them have them.

AgentProvocateur · 15/06/2015 20:18

I got DS one got his 18th last year, and we've had great fun with it Smile

foolonthehill · 15/06/2015 20:19

I have them. only thing that DC2 can bond with others over as the excitement and running around gets him out of himself.

Strict rules though......not at the face, not at anyone who is not in the game,

we organise huge wide games in the local field (and church...vicar joins in) and great fun is had by all.

i like that they are not green/black/weapony looking (even though they are weapons)

I don;t like the idea of shooting people but somehow the joy of seeing everyone happy, running and not on screens has overridden my caution

0x530x610x750x630x79 · 15/06/2015 20:20

great fun

AnyoneForTennis · 15/06/2015 20:21

Yep we have them too

What's the issue op??

TheCrowFromBelow · 15/06/2015 20:22

My 2 DSs have quite an arsenal between them.
The rules are: no aiming at faces; no firing at short range.
How old is DS1 OP?

DoJo · 15/06/2015 20:26

What is your specific objection to them? It would be easier to judge if you had a particular reason for not liking them...

Yarp · 15/06/2015 20:28

My DS2 was mad on them. Had an arsenal too. They are great fun, but I hated, really hated him pointing one straight at me, especially in my face. Really upset me.

Your DSs impulse issues are a complication. I guess you'll have to have ground rules, and just monitor when it's getting too heated. Sorry I don't know much about ADHD

Rainicorn · 15/06/2015 20:28

I have three boys, two of them like them, the other doesn't. I'm just sick of finding the bullets everywhere.

As long as you have some ground rules (not in the face or close range) then they work quite well. They also have targets to hit, and vests with point systems on. Great fun.

DarylDixonsDarlin · 15/06/2015 20:32

I dunno. If you'd asked me a month ago I was firmly in the yes camp - DS almost 9yo has several small ones, DD 6yo has a tiny handbag sized one Grin

However recently DS bought out of his pocket money a Mega one (big bullets, big gun) and he's done nothing but menace his sisters with it, and I'm not happy about it. Its been taken away for a few days at a time, its like he just cannot help himself firing off a round when he gets hold of it Confused

I'm on the fence. He wants more, including some super duper one for his upcoming birthday, and part of me thinks enough is enough, make do with what he's already got.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 15/06/2015 20:32

It's just really really hard to have ground rules. I would have to spend a lot of time enforcing them (unsuccessfully probably)

DS1 is turning 9.

He played with them with friends last weekend. He got over excited and poked a child with a stick and hurt him.

OP posts:
DarylDixonsDarlin · 15/06/2015 20:33

It doesn't help that both DDs are screamers Hmm and youngest DD chews the bullets, leaving soggy presents for him. Even that hasn't put him off!

AliceAnneB · 15/06/2015 20:34

We have a serious arsenal going of nerf guns and ammo. The boys love them. We have ground rules: everyone wears safety glasses, no shooting at faces, no short range shooting, no shooting near the hob! Those suckers go up in a serious ball of flame if they hit the gas. I did once serve a guest soup with a nerf bullet in it. She didn't have kids and was not amused! As for the impulse control - they learn quick!

AnyoneForTennis · 15/06/2015 20:35

So ds2 and 3 get to miss out because of ds1?

Girlwhowearsglasses · 15/06/2015 20:36

Oh and an adult had one shot them at close range in the neck and she was crying

OP posts:
Yarp · 15/06/2015 20:36

Daryl

I think they appeal to some children's 'collecting' instincts. The fact there are so many.

DS2s best one (IMO) was the smallest one

OP

I think a stick's way more harmful that a nerf gun. I was so relieved when DS2 went off swords because they spent half the time on the top of the wardrobe having been confiscated

eurochick · 15/06/2015 20:38

Ban sticks!

Pensfriends · 15/06/2015 20:40

We have loads. And the shoes. We never seem to have any bullets though, either they have been fired over into the jungle of the empty garden next door or the dog has eaten them.

NRomanoff · 15/06/2015 20:40

I confused what does a stick have anything to do with it?

spicyfajitas · 15/06/2015 20:42

We have a massive artillery. They are great fun. 2 rules. You may only fire at someone else who has a gun. You may only fire at someone wearing eyewear.

Yarp · 15/06/2015 20:43

NRomanoff

OP mentioned sticks - her son can't be trusted with one, so she's worried about Nerf guns

Pensfriends · 15/06/2015 20:43

The OPs DS poked someone with a stick

ouryve · 15/06/2015 20:45

DS1 (also has impulse issues) was given a small one for Christmas. He took very little interest in it, then picked it up the other week and pointed it at me. When I explained to him why it's a bad idea, he did it again.

Nerf gun is now in the bin.

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