Military related items aimed for kids...

[MeredithG]

What’s your views on military related items for kids?

For example, army costume, camouflage walkie talkies, toy tanks etc.

Is there anything wrong with them having it?

The reason I’m asking is my FIL thinks the army is a joke due to people coming out with no jobs, ending up homeless, coming back with no limbs, I could go on, but won’t. The reason the subject came up is my son (4, nearly 5) was asking for an army costume for his birthday and FIL said something along the lines of, “oh don’t get him army stuff, it’s setting them up to think going in the army is something to aspire to”

I have family in the army and I myself would have gone in the army had I not had children when I did. I have nothing against it.

PIL have asked for a list of birthday items the boys want for their birthdays, including army related things. He won’t buy them the army things but that’s not what I’m worried about, it’s the lecture about how it’s not good, and I want to be able to tell him why it’s not the end of the world for kids to have it.

So unless I am BU what can I say to him to shut him up about the subject?

Blimey. Its a good job your DS isn't into playing cowboys.
I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, it isn't you that has the issue. I'd just make sure he isn't lecturing my DS.

The reason I’m asking is my FIL thinks the army is a joke due to people coming out with no jobs, ending up homeless, coming back with no limbs

Yes that happens, but far more ex military do well, get good jobs and have excellent careers.

I served for 24 years. I went on a number of Operations and deployments and had a great and varied career. My pension, paid immediately on discharge, is just over £1k a month. My DH served for 22 years. His pension is just over £800 a month. This is paid from the day we retired until the day we die - and we would also qualify for a widows pension when one of us does! This means we always have a fallback if work dries up etc. It's a safety net.

My friends DH served from age 18 to age 55 and his pension is 42k a year! He actually had to retire because he is bringing in too much money to work . He now volunteers with disadvantaged kids and is absolutely loving life.

Yes, there will always be some people whose military career has damaged them, but that is true of a number of professions.