... to think that an army base is an odd place to take 5-6 yr olds on a trip?

[jessia]

and to be undecided as to whether to let my 5-yr-old DD go (and thinking I might not)?

Am I being all silly and falsely pacifistic about this or am I right in thinking I don't want a small child around lots of young men with guns and assorted other weaponry (especially, but not only, because she is still traumatised after witnessing a vicious knife attack over a year ago)?

Should I just keep her home? Or should I say something? The preschool (this is not UK, 5-6 yr olds are still in preschool here) already thinks I'm weird because I do things that nobody else has ever done and question things nobody else has ever questioned so this would probably just confirm what they already think about me.

Or should I just let her go and stop mollycoddling her? She is mystified about the whole soldier/army thing... Have not had a chance to speak to her or DH yet as new notice up when I took them in this morning.

I think it would be very educational, as a lot of these places cater for school trips. I don't think for a minute that they'll be drillled round the drill square (or whatever it's called in Army bases), or see people with weapons. maybe a tank or a land rover

I think it's a great idea for a trip. War and armies are a fact of life and it's an opportunity for you to discuss your own views on war etc. I think it's a million miles away from witnessing a knife attack, what a truly horrible thing to happen to your dd.

I often take my very young ds's to the RAF museum, soley because it's a great place to run about when it's raining, and it hadn't occured to me that it might promote violence in any way. Perhaps I am naive though.

My children have always lived on a military base. I've never thought it to be a problem. Why not ask the teacher what the itinerary is for their trip.

DD's class went to the Firepower Museum, part of the Royal Artillery Museum - it was GREAT.

My husband is in the Army and it's always great to see how much fun the kids have clambering over tanks and looking around museums.

I'm all for educating people/children on what the Services do (as well as what the Police/Fire Service etc do) as they are very much part of the fabric of the country.

I am going to be blunt because I think (hope) you are seeking honest opinions. I think your apprehension is an insult to the soldiers who have fought and died for your freedom to go and live in Poland.

I don't think a preschool would take the children to something that is scary or which they couldn't understand. That being the case the children will love it. As many have said, it was a good day out as a child to be allowed to climb on tanks and trucks. Much better than climbing frames.

The armed forces are a necessary part of life. It is important to understand what they are there for, imo.

YABU.

"I don't think they will be taught to fire an AK47." that made me pmsl.

i think its a great idea for a trip, even more so with us having rememberance day this week.

its important that the next generation grow up understanding how much we owe to the brave men and women who faught for this country and about what work they continue to do.

YABU - I was bought up on various RAF bases.

At Cranwell I loved watching the cadets matching, at Gutersloh I loved the planes taking off over the road as we went past the runway on the bus, clambering over and into tanks/helicopters/ planes at open days, that special harrier jumpjet taking off noise...

Didn't do me no 'arm.

AtheneNoctua makes a good point....

Had the misfortune to grow up in Aldershot - the good side was the annual Army show with nice food, zip wires and, when I was a teenager, fit squaddies to gawp at , bad side was IRA bomb, drunk not-so-fit squaddies and firing range noise at night. Three generations of my family were in the army, fascinated by their experiences and hugely grateful for sacrifices they made for our freedom but have never been anything but a pacifist. Do, however, agree that you have the right/duty to question purpose of visit.

Message withdrawn

Hi there, thanks all for your opinions.

Have put her name down and signed the consent form .

Apparently it's an open day especially for preschools, there will be some games, a look round the barracks where the soldiers live, a talk about the work soldiers do (it was independence/remembrance day here too this week) and they will see a tank. Lunch is to be a military style thick pea soup (methinks lots of those kiddies will be coming home mighty hungry!!)
I have reminded her teacher of the knife incident (it was over a year ago so everyone else except her and me has forgotten about it) and asked her to keep an eye.
Will definitely be pursuing the subject further with her as well...