My five year old loves army men and wants to be one for Halloween. The problem: he wants to go as a wounded soldier. I don't want to offend people but friends say if we place a ribbon on his chest that says "Support our troops" it wouldn't offend anyone. I want my child to be happy but I certainly don't want to hurt or offend anyone. He says he's not going to celebrate if he can't be a soldier but I don't think that his choice of a costume is appropriate with so many men and women away from their families now. What do you think?
2006-10-19 16:22:52 · 23 answers · asked by Bree 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I just wanted to specify that he doens't want to go as a bloody, gory soldier. He just wants a head bandage and a scuff on his helmet. I love the idea of the metals. My hubby is a big WWII buff and he has a few of the metals. Great idea!
2006-10-19 16:48:13 · update #1
My husband is in the 82nd airborne and is in iraq right now. I would not be offended if your son went as a wounded soldier, i would be very proud of him to go around showing everyone around the sacarfice our soldiers are making for everyone! I think its great that he wants to go as a wounded soldier!
2006-10-20 05:28:25 · answer #1 · answered by daisy322_98 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't like the idea of turning wounded soldiers into a Halloween costume. There's just too many other things to be. I know the mothers of killed and injured military people may not see your son's costume, but I just think how there's some mother somewhere who is broken-hearted to have to watch her child without legs - and then think someone would allow a five-year-old to turn anything even remotely related to that into a costume.
Also, my kids are grown; and I am ever so grateful none of them has chosen to go to Iraq or Afghanistan. I can't imagine ever even letting them pretend to be soldiers when they were five (and I'm the daughter of a veteran).
He's only five. I don't think you should encourage him to even be thinking about soldiers when it comes to himself. He'll grow up soon enough.
(I don't mean to be so "heavy" about this question, and I don't mean to come across as if I don't have great respect for soldiers. Its just that as the mother of kids old enough to be in Iraq I cannot imagine what the mothers of soldiers must be going through; and as the mother of kids who were once five, I cannot imagine introducing the concept of war to someone so young.)
I think I'd just tell him the store didn't have any soldier costumes, so he has to think of something else that would be great to dress up as. (Do you really want to see a ribbon your little boy's chest right now?)
2006-10-19 22:55:31 · answer #2 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Out of the mouths of babes!!! He's a child who has grown up during a period of war. Its what he has seen on TV. Do not overthink his reasoning, go for it with gusto. Bloody, gory the whole nine yards! As far as offending anyone, its Halloween. Lots of costumes are far more offensive than a wounded soldier.
2006-10-19 16:34:58 · answer #3 · answered by Wounded duckmate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him be a wounded soldier, its part of the deal. If a vet has a problem with a kid dressing as a wounded soldier, and says something to the kid, he's got serious problems....Wear the support our troops ribbon.
2006-10-19 17:05:49 · answer #4 · answered by Foss 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a difficult one. It wouldn't offend me, but I am opposed to the war. Probabally the people it would offend would get offended by a lot of costumes. A bandage on the head isn't a big deal I don't think. Imagine the amount of kids that will be going as killers or worse!
Halloween is a tough one. It is very considerate of you to think of others, but I think it would be ok.
2006-10-19 17:21:45 · answer #5 · answered by butterfliesbrown 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
At 5 years old you might lighten up a bit on your political and moral views though they certainly are valid. I suggest anyone else should too.
He's a Kid,,,gee,,, let him be.
I have a suggestion.
Offer, rather than a BLOODY bandage,,, a Chest full of medals, and explain that they are for things like GOOD CONDUCT, etc,,,BRAVERY, etc.
The conflicts the Adult service people are engaged in are no fault of his, nor yours... Let him PLAY soldier.
Steven Wolf
2006-10-19 16:33:51 · answer #6 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
definite, i imagine he will be made relaxing of each and every of the time. Century isn't a attractiveness. i have seen youthful ones made relaxing of for having extra mainstream names than that, like Kyle, if a boy named Kyle can get made relaxing of imagine about what might want to ensue to Century. There are truly no nicknames that is derived from that. Do the baby a want and call him something extra favourite.
2016-12-05 00:47:44 · answer #7 · answered by friesner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Imitation is the most common form of flattery. I would not be offended if he came to my door dressed like that. My first reaction would be, wow that's sweet and that he's thinking of the soldiers. It might not be why he wants to wear the costume, but that's what I would perceive it as. I say let him go for it.
2006-10-19 16:47:04 · answer #8 · answered by andi b 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would not want to do that and I am glad I'm not in your position. I see some reasonable responses on here that all have some validity. Seriously, it could be offensive though because the war has taken a turn for the worst lately and if he encounters people who have strong feelings about it, they might take it out on him.
2006-10-20 18:24:52 · answer #9 · answered by Cub6265 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him be a soldier but without the wounds. In a time of war, and really anytime at all it is disrespectful being a soldier is not easy or something to be mocked or "dressed-up as" Let him wear a ribbion as well. Tell him what the soldiers have done for our country, and why they diserve respect and everything is fine.
The above idea is prefect!!
2006-10-19 16:34:19 · answer #10 · answered by essexsrose 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋