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Little boys and fighting

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FlicketyB Sun 21-Jul-13 16:36:19

I have just spent a few days with DGC. When arrived DGS, just 3, and clutching his toy Viking axe greeted me delightedly - and then told me he was a scary Viking and I spent the next 10 minutes with an axe to my throat until finally I put on my stern look and stern voice and told him enough was enough and put it down.

For the whole of my visit he was a Viking or a pirate or a knight. Each time this required a sword or axe and his games consisted entirely of killing and stabbing monsters or bad people represented in all his family. No rescuing damsels despite big sister having a beautiful damsel dress all ready for rescue.

Nobody knows where all this comes from. DS as a small boy was a very gentle child and only had the most perfunctory interest in weapons. He and his wife are both by nature peaceful people and discourage all this violence, but it just continues. The weapons he has were not bought with such aggression in mind but as part of dressing up kits. He lives in York so Vikings feature a lot in local life and he loves Mike the Knight and the Horrible Histories. I do not think that the nursery he attends three days a week would encourage this violence either.

Any one else experienced this with very young boys?

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FlicketyB Mon 22-Jul-13 15:12:51

The problem my two reversed roles. DS was the gentle caring unaggressive one while DD would mix it and hold her own against all comers. She has grown up to be an assured and assertive women, but has chosen to remain single and childless because she admits that she is incapable of making the compromises that living with someone or having children require.

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PRINTMISS Mon 22-Jul-13 17:07:46

I worked in a school for 12 years, looking after the children's welfare, etc, and quite honestly give me a group of fighting boys - I could deal with them tumblimg through the door, but the whinging girls - I could wllingly have wrung their necks. I have ever since been known to say 'Give me a naughty boy, any day' (with a please in brackets), much to everyone's amusement!

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j08 Mon 22-Jul-13 17:18:39

I agree Gorki. Younger grandson let out a yelp of real pain while we having lunch yesterday. Older one had pinched him. I think the trouble is the nearly twelve year old is starting to see the nearly eight year old as a bit of a rival now, rather than just the "little brother" he has been up till now.

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Gorki Mon 22-Jul-13 17:49:31

I think that is quite funny j08. I can just imagine everyone sitting round at lunch and that happening. Boys will be boys and I'm sure your grandson is lovely really. grin Not so nice for the younger one though !

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j08 Mon 22-Jul-13 17:53:48

He got quite a lecture from me I can tell you! We were in a pub for lunch too. grin

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Gorki Mon 22-Jul-13 18:18:23

Oh dear ! That's not quite so funny. I thought you were at home so just a smile not a grin

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Mishap Mon 22-Jul-13 21:16:15

My 4 year old GS loves using my crutch as a rifle!

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seasider Mon 22-Jul-13 23:32:19

I think it is just a throw back to when men were the hunter gatherers who protected their families. It is just part of growing up and they will grow out of it. Many of the most notorious killers were actually quiet studious types who buried their agression.

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