To refuse to send my child to a pirate party

[Mashbocking1]

A nursery friend of my 4 yo DS is having a pirate themed birthday party. I’m planning to decline the invite as I don’t think it’s appropriate for little children, or anyone for that matter, to dress up as a pirate - it’s glorifying and sentimentalising criminal men who raped, robbed and murdered.

FFS, piracy used to carry the death penalty until recently! You wouldn’t let your child go to a Nazi themed party - I can’t see much difference!

Wow, I'm about to redecorate my 3 year olds bedroom with a pirate theme lol, and his Halloween costume this year was a yellow waterproof and a floaty red balloon.

I don't think you'd like me much 😂

Let kids be kids. It's a party, they aren't going out committing crimes.

You are being totally ridiculous! Boys will be boys and always have been!

Thanku for the giggle .... now that is taking pc to another level... Tx for for the giggle ....

Come on mum ..., all in a bit of fun ... wake up
...

You cannot be serious? If you are, I suggest you get a grip.

Your poor child

You are being totally ridiculous! Boys will be boys and always have been!

Well I disagree with this sentiment as at every pirate and princess party both my DD's have always opted to be pirates so the boys will be boys thing is nonsense.. however so is OP's view

Ffs, I’ve heard it all now.

Wow. Just fucking wow.... Batshit crazy of the highest order 🤣

words fail me, poor kids growing up with you and your narrow minded ideas. I held a pirate party for my DS aged 5 and his female friend, well me and her mum did it together and great fun it was too. over 25 years ago now and DS remembers it well. Kids that age just like to dress up.

Can't believe what I've just read

For anyone not reading the thread all the way through you might want to check MNHQ's comment. OP is long gone.

It’s only ok because the ‘fancy dress’ element is historic and related to something we have romanticised as ‘swashbuckling’ pirates. It wouldn’t be ok if the kids were dressing up as pirates that exist now, who also kill for money. I kind of get where the OP is coming from, but I don’t think it’s worth not letting your kid go as it’s a romantic notion of pirates rather than a literal support of their ideas!

Ha I’ve often wondered about this. In 300 year's time will there be IRA themed parties featuring balaclavas?

I’ve also had a chat with my DC in an age appropriate way about the fact that yes there are still pirates nowadays, but they’re not so fun and carry guns rather than swords.

My DS liked pirates when he was about five years old and we definitely had a pirate themed birthday party one year. If it reassures anyone he is now 21, doesn't show any violent personality traits and isn't inclined to wear an eye patch or funny hat. He grew out of pirates and moved on to Power Rangers I think but that's a whole different story.

Good Lord Woman calm the feck down will
Ya! I’m a facepainter & ive done LOADS of parties where kids are dressed as Pirates! All they care about is running around with bendy swords looking for chocolate money! Nine times out of ten they ask for a completely different facepaint to what they are wearing ! Kids have NO idea what a Pirate really did & to be honest neither do you !!

YANBU - ish.

I agree with you as a matter of principle. I have always thought it weird to essentially glorify violent criminals. But in the context of children dressing up and playing make believe the word "pirate" has come to mean something more like "adventurous explorer of the sea" rather than its historical meaning.

Giving your kid a little context might make you feel ok about his/her going to the party. 'It's fun to pretend to be sailors and soldiers but the real pirates were not very nice" sort of thing. So they can go and have fun with their friends, but you don't feel you have condoned violence.

Unlike everyone else on here I do not think you are a killjoy for having principles. But I do think you can look at this as a teachable moment for your child rather than your line in the desert.

You take things really to far. Have you thought about therapy?

Oh dear, I'm afraid we had a pirate party on full size replica pirate ships in fancy dress with swords and grandparents and parents also dressed up and pirate cake ... most wonderful time had by all. (Fourth birthday)

A couple of year's later I bought the "Pocket Book of Pirates" and I would read about the most famous ones ... Anne Bonny being a particular favourite!

Penattas - may have some dodgy history with killing old donkeys; Oranges and Lemons ... the fun bit about chopping off heads similarly; and I have read books by the Opie's about the origins of nursery rhymes and the origins of fairy tales in the Beast and the Blond which are quite toe curling.

Kids have grown up very kind to animals, vulnerable humans and environmentally aware and aware of historical issues.

It's your choice of course.

Oh my dear god... Do people honestly exist who actually think like this? Obviously you've never suffered a real tragedy. Jeez

nazi themed parties - good enough for the royal family

• and Pirate parties - was that what prince Andrew was doing in Woking Pizza express, all those stripey T Shirts?

Seriously?

Aw I think people have been harsh! You have obviously thought deeply about how you would like to bring your son! 👏👏Honestly these pink princess, unicorns🦄etc etc are nonsensical role play & they will grow our of it! At leastyou are questioning societal norms which makes me think your son has a great mum but I would prob bite my lip and let him go! They can get rid of any male aggression and cone back to you tired and calm! 😘

Is this a joke?

It's an excuse to dress up in unusual outfits and have fun.

Has he been Googling "How to make a cannon"?