Laser Tag a no-no?

[Anonymous]

I was very surprised to find out that a close friend of mine doesn't not allow her children to participate in laser tag (like for birthday parties). Her kids are 7, 9 & 10. In our circle the kids aren't really encouraged to play with guns but if they have nerf-style ones they will shoot at invisible bad guys. They aren't aiming to blow their friend's head off or screaming "die commie, bastard." I know in laser tag you are "aiming" for the other person but I just didn't see it the same pointing a plastic shotgun at a friends head.

I realize parents have different styles and I’m fine with that but I thought of her as more culturally lenient – more so than I am in most ways. This are not sheltered kids, they watch Jersey Shore, have gaming systems (Mario games, no Black Ops), unsupervised internet access. One child even has the mom’s passwords and checks the mother’s email, facebook, and text messages (on a side note, that drives be batty!). So a laser-tag ban seems out of character to me. But is laser tag a general no-no and I was just naive?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like it's a no-no for her kids. And that's really the end of the story. You don't need evidence that other parents do or do not allow the activity, because you have all the info you need. Your friend doesn't allow it.

She allows her kids to do things you don't want your kids doing. As long as neither of you are abusing your children in any way, they'll all grow up just fine without anyone having to justify their parenting choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like it's a no-no for her kids. And that's really the end of the story. You don't need evidence that other parents do or do not allow the activity, because you have all the info you need. Your friend doesn't allow it.

She allows her kids to do things you don't want your kids doing. As long as neither of you are abusing your children in any way, they'll all grow up just fine without anyone having to justify their parenting choices.

Thank you, Dr. Phil. I'm not asking for justification for parenting choices, just a general consensus on laser-tag. Would it be a good idea for a group outing or are lots of normal-seeming moms anit-laser tag and I missed the memo.

[Anonymous]

I understand the question: As the mom of an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old boy, I've never heard of another parent having an ethical problem with laser tag. That said, if I knew a parent had a problem with it and my kid really wanted those kids at the party, I'd not hesitate to pick another activity.

And as an aside that's probably going to derail this whole thing: We have toy guns and weaponry in our household and the only kids who get crazy outrageous violent with them (i.e. screaming DIE! as they pretend to shoot or whacking another kid with a foam sword after the other kid had indicated they know longer wanted to play) are the kids whose parents never let them play with those sorts of toys before.

[Anonymous]

OP You're the one who followed up a reasonable question "Is laser tag generally a no-no" with an airing out of your friend's other parenting preferences. And your opinion of those actions.

If your friend's kids have been invited to laser tag parties, then clearly some parents are ok with it. And you'll find out on a case by base basis.

[Anonymous]

I don't like laser tag. It is just too realistic for me. I know I am in the minority and don't care. That is how I feel. More realistic than water guns and nerf. I will let my kids attend but will not host events. My kids know how I feel.. I remember taking my DS to his first LT party not knowing what it really was and another parent commenting how cute it was. All I could see were 6 year olds wearing black carrying guns...ADORABLE!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand the question: As the mom of an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old boy, I've never heard of another parent having an ethical problem with laser tag. That said, if I knew a parent had a problem with it and my kid really wanted those kids at the party, I'd not hesitate to pick another activity.

And as an aside that's probably going to derail this whole thing: We have toy guns and weaponry in our household and the only kids who get crazy outrageous violent with them (i.e. screaming DIE! as they pretend to shoot or whacking another kid with a foam sword after the other kid had indicated they know longer wanted to play) are the kids whose parents never let them play with those sorts of toys before.

We're pretty much on the same page. We have a pretty good arsenal at our house but we have some pretty good rules. No weapons upstairs, you can't fight/threaten anyone who doesn't have a weapon, no blows to the head and 'stop' means "STOP".

I don't have any problem with laser tag because there's no doubt it's a game. If another parent has a problem with it, they can always decline the invitation.

[Anonymous]

I loved laser tag as a kid and didn't turn into a violent maniac. I happily let my kids play as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP You're the one who followed up a reasonable question "Is laser tag generally a no-no" with an airing out of your friend's other parenting preferences. And your opinion of those actions.

I only mentioned her parenting preferences because they seem in contrast to a laser-tag ban. My kid eats Slim Jims sometimes, if one day I said he is only allowed to eat hand-picked organic fruit grown within 100 miles, I would think the slim jims would prove to be an interesting contrast.

I only included judgement on one thing listed and that it bugs me, not that it is a cardinal sin as a parent. The child checking the mother's electronic communications affects me, the mother misses emails & texts because they have been marked as "read" before she even sees them. The child will even respond back to texts and not identify as the child (child agreed to pick my son up from school one day and he got left there because the mom didn't know)

[Anonymous]

I let my kids participate because I don't want them missing out on the social situation and I don't think it is harmful but I don't like it at all and prefer almost any other party idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like laser tag. It is just too realistic for me. I know I am in the minority and don't care. That is how I feel. More realistic than water guns and nerf. I will let my kids attend but will not host events. My kids know how I feel.. I remember taking my DS to his first LT party not knowing what it really was and another parent commenting how cute it was. All I could see were 6 year olds wearing black carrying guns...ADORABLE!

OP here, so you feel you are the minority? That is what I was wondering. I can apperciate that laser-tag does seem a little like kiddie-army training at some venues, like paint ball (safety issues aside). Places by us are almost cartoonish, neon colors, silly names for everyone, I think they use "hit" instead of "kills".

[Anonymous]

I admit I am defintely in the minority..which really surprised me...but is true.

[Anonymous]

My DS went to both laser tag and paintball parties as a kid. These were parties thrown by super liberal parents whose kids happened to think this was a fun activity. And the kids mostly seemed to enjoy them. There were always a few who didn't like the noise and the commotion though. These kids are all in high school now and don't seemed to have suffered permanent harm.

[Anonymous]

May depend on the venue. We have laser tag parties in our yard -- it is a different feel from some of the professional places. We have not had anyone object or not attend, but nerf games are very popular here, so maybe htat makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who doesn't like the idea of laser tag for their kids should give it a try themselves. It is so incredibly fun that you just might change your mind.