To think it is irresponsible to give an eight-year-old a pen knife

[OlgaRhythm]

Need views on whether I am being too precious here. Family member has gifted DC a pen knife for Xmas. On no planet would I trust them with it until they were much older. I'm just in disbelief that someone could be so daft. AIBU?

DD has had one since that age. It stays in the kitchen draw and she has to tell us when she using it. She knows it’s a big responsibility and can tell you the safety rules.

Suburban kids, both cubs/Scouts, had pen knives at that age and larger scout knives a couple if years later. Elder DS used to like to sit and whittle bits of wood.

Only casualty was DS2 carving a bit from his desk when he was about 10.

Good lord, my DD's had a penknife from age 4. She had the blunted tip version initially, but now she has a sharp one. It's no more dangerous than a pair of decent scissors.

I think it is a little rude of anyone to buy an age-restricted gift without discussing it first, but I don't think this was irresponsible.

I remember buying myself a penknife on holiday at about that age.Mum and Dad were perfectly ok with it. I made models and used it for that - no injuries of any involved parties, ever.

DS had one from six. As long as it is just for home or family camping and they aren't taking it to school then what's the problem?

This post is so Mumsnet 😂

“My kid got his first knife at age three and was whittling detailed sculptures by age four, while also looking after animals and mending the tractor engine.”

YANBU OP.

My kids had them from 7. All their friends had little pocket knives. Country kids/farmers/horsey/ outdoorsy types.

I was given a tiny miniature one as a child. I still have it. I use the teeny tiny scissors for trimming my eyebrows now.

You're not being unreasonable. Take it off them and give it to them when older

I wouldn’t worry. At that age they’ll probably lose it soon enough. Mine did. Well, one of them had it confiscated by security when she tried to take it on holiday in her backpack 🤦‍♀️ but same end result.

Has used knives supervised by Dad and does belong to brownies/cubs the like but not to have one to own and for me to keep track of.

Having a knife and being responsible for keeping track of it are two different things.

I'd say it's appropriate for a child that age to have one of those knives to use appropriately under adult supervision.

I'd also say it isn't a child's job to be responsible for safe tool storage and safety between use. That's the parents job.

Why can't they have it, use it when it's appropriate and then the adults in the house are responsible for storing it safely and ensuring it's used appropriately?

If I could work emojis I would put a grinning face here in agreement with you. I suppose what I really can't et my head around is someone other than the parent deciding it is an ideal present without any consultation. I wouldnt get something like for any DC that wasn't my own without at least a bit of a heads up with the parents.

Because the kid is not mature enough to accept that those are the rules and not to try to bend them, work outwith them should the opportunity arise. Which would be where I can see accidents happening.

My son had one for scouts . We always knew where it was ,didn't take it out or play with it .

If your child is immature for their age then put it away for a year or two. Most children would be able to understand safety rules at 8, many are in cubs at that age.

Feels young to me, I wouldn’t give one to my nearly 8 year old. A 10 year old at our scouts club cut his hand open badly last week cutting up an apple, accidents easily happen.

My boys had them from that age, both did cubs and scouts so used for whittling.

That sounds like a child who hasn't been taught to use a knife safely or hasn't had enough practice tbh.

I think its irresponsible if they expect them to be left alone with it unsupervised and not educated around safety.
On the flip side, I got my 8 year old a very sharp whittling knife but we used it together and learned all about the blood circle and blood triangle etc and how we keep ourselves and other safe.

I had one in suburban Hampshire in junior school. Loved it. Can't remember ever using it as I was in Brownies/ Guides and only the boys did fun outdoor things. They really aren't dangerous with a bit of safety advice. My wife volunteers in the scouting movement and I think they usually have them. Were more rural though

‘Rite’ of passage. Why would a small child need to cut string on bales? I’d hope they’d be closely supervised.

I saw a TikTok today of a toddler hammering a nail into a plank of wood.

He did a good job to be fair.

Both DS were given penknives at similar age by their uncle but he did ask 1st & they were both in scout group & were just being allowed to take to camps/use in specific activities by leaders. Initially the knives were kept safely by DH & I, used under supervision at home etc.
We did have chats about knife safety, not taking outside home. We live at edge of a city but both from rural areas where DH & all my brother had penkives from young age.

Because the kid is not mature enough to accept that those are the rules and not to try to bend them, work outwith them should the opportunity arise. Which would be where I can see accidents happening
If your 8 year old can't follow instructions under appropriate adult supervision, why not accept the gift and put it away until you feel your child can follow instructions under appropriate adult supervision?

An 8 year old will be mature enough, though.