school age boy room wants "military" theme

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the other poster, but I don't support the military either. I'm a pacifist.

To say you do not support the military makes no sense. There are many parts to the military including the troops. To not support our troops says a lot about who you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't allow that. I vehemently don't support the military and would not be comfortable having a military themed room in any home I live in.

If my son wanted a less babyish room that would be fine and I'd be happy to change the decor. But not to military, and not to anything that promotes violence.

Rockets and space? Sure. Airplanes? Sure. Olive green and light blue colors? Sure. But I can't do military. So I'd say no.

Out of curiosity, why do you hate the military?

You know what? If you were a single person who asked me one on one, face to face, I'd answer you. But I don't want to get into it on a public forum and derail OP's thread with people trying to jump in and convince me of how wrong I am or how terrible a person I must be, etc.

I vehemently hate the color pink, and would allow a pink bedroom. That just goes against my aesthetics. I can't allow decorating that goes against my morals. OP is free to do whatever she feels comfortable with.

I'm a liberal. I also served 20 years in the USMC and my husband served 28 years in the Army. I asked you not to bash you as a tree hugging liberal, but to try and educate you. The politicians in DC are the ones that make foreign policy and send the military in to carry out our foreign policy. Many times it is in a violent manner. Many times it is peaceful - responding to humanitarian disasters. A lot of time it is merely a show of force and a presence to deter both criminal activity such as pirating.
Do not hate the military for carrying out policy. Hate the politicians that send them there in the first place. And the big government contractors that lobby for bigger defense spending and more weapons and advocate for a hawkish foreign policy. Most military members are kids that don't have an opportunity to go to college. They come from a very diverse background - more than you see at a state college campus. They want to serve their country, learn skills, earn money for college. These are wonderful kids. When you read about violence against women in the military - take it into context. The military rape data is almost exactly the same as a college campus. Same age kids, many of the same issues with underage drinking.
Go ahead and hate violence - but direct your hatred at the right group of people.

So anyone who disagrees with you is a tree hugging liberal who doesn't understand that people who serve in the military have no accountability for their actions or decisions because they are under orders? Isn't that what the nazis argued? My leaders made me do it?

First, I did not say anyone that disagrees with me is a tree hugging liberal. I'm a tree hugging liberal. Second, military members are held accountable for their actions. They are charged for crimes and punished accordingly.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I do support the military, but the military-worship in this country is a bit much for me. I see the military as a necessary organization, important... and also a personal career choice each member of the military makes. The over-the-top hero complex many people seem to project on *all* military members is just too much for me. Most of the military is just normal people doing their jobs that they chose. There are some heroes, but not most by any means. The rhetoric around the military is basically really good marketing that says you're unpatriotic if you don't feel that way, so many of us keep it suppressed. You can look at the history of a lot of the sentiments - it is straight up marketing/recruiting.

[Anonymous]

Why not? Just keep it simple at first. You can always add more accessories and decorations as you go. Or you can change it out easily if he moves on to a new phase.

If it were me, I'd do neutral beige walls, simple camo bedding and maybe an interesting framed photo or two. Maybe artsy B&W photos of helicopters/jets? Military without the straight-up guns.

You can also get inexpensive netting or camo fabric at Joanne's or a military supply outlet and pin it to the ceiling above the bed to create a bit of a canopy / tent look without going all out. Or use the netting as a light window treatment. Could be cute, actually.

http://decorativebedroom.com/stylish-and-modern-bedroom-ideas-for-teen-boys/military-themed-teen-boys-room/

http://www.camonettingstore.com/camo-netting-by-the-foot/3d-woodland-digital-camo-netting-ultralite-sized-by-the-foot/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not to completely derail the thread, but my 7 year old is into this too. I admit that I don't want to go completely overboard on this in his room, but I like the suggestions here that offer the theme without getting crazy. And BTW, we live in the heart of liberal NWDC and he recently told me he "wants to be a soldier when he grows up" because "there aren't enough people doing that."

Let's see, at various points in time, my son was crazy about:
1. Trains. He decorated his room with them and had lots of books and videos about them. Chances of him being a locomotive engineer when he grows up: negligible.
2. Fire trucks. He decorated his room with them and had lots of books and videos about them. Chances of him being a firefighter when he grows up: negligible.
3. Construction equipment. He decorated his room with them and had lots of books and videos about them. Chances of him being in construction when he grows up: negligible.
4. Dinosaurs. He decorated his room with them and had lots of books and videos about them. Chances of him being a paleontologist when he grows up: negligible.
5. Planets and stars. He decorated his room with them and had lots of books and videos about them. Chances of him being an astronaut or astronomer when he grows up: negligible.
6. Superheroes. He decorated his room with them and had lots of books and videos about them. Chances of him being a superhero when he grows up: negligible.

I look at the military theme exactly the same way. Right now he says he wants to be a Marine when he grows up. He decorated his room with military stuff and had lots of books and videos about military equipment. Chances of him being in the military when he grows up? Negligible.

It's another phase. He'll grow out of it. So why are everyone's panties in a bundle about this particular theme?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I do support the military, but the military-worship in this country is a bit much for me. I see the military as a necessary organization, important... and also a personal career choice each member of the military makes. The over-the-top hero complex many people seem to project on *all* military members is just too much for me. Most of the military is just normal people doing their jobs that they chose. There are some heroes, but not most by any means. The rhetoric around the military is basically really good marketing that says you're unpatriotic if you don't feel that way, so many of us keep it suppressed. You can look at the history of a lot of the sentiments - it is straight up marketing/recruiting.

Agree, and I'm retired military. A lot of people thank me for my service when they find out, and it makes me uncomfortable. I think it will go away soon... But I've been thinking that for a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I do support the military, but the military-worship in this country is a bit much for me. I see the military as a necessary organization, important... and also a personal career choice each member of the military makes. The over-the-top hero complex many people seem to project on *all* military members is just too much for me. Most of the military is just normal people doing their jobs that they chose. There are some heroes, but not most by any means. The rhetoric around the military is basically really good marketing that says you're unpatriotic if you don't feel that way, so many of us keep it suppressed. You can look at the history of a lot of the sentiments - it is straight up marketing/recruiting.

Except for a few companies giving a very small military discount, I don't see any worship. They are doing a job many will not do - they do not choose their jobs for the most part and at least for the past 10 years, most have faced multiple deployments. If you look at history, there was clearly a need for an active military and if they were not there, some of us would not be alive today.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wow! First this thread has given me a lot to think about and I really appreciate that.

Second, there are some awesome decorating ideas and links here and I really appreciate that too.

So my DS is 5 turning 6 in the fall. I would be thrilled for him to go to West Point. I agree totally with poster that being in the military is about honor and service. My college roommate married a West Point engineer. I work for a non profit and I believe that the world would be a better place if we all did things that connect to service and mission, and not focused on doing things that make money.

But... my son isn't saying he wants a military theme room because he (right now) understands service to his country or the ability to improve our lives by helping out others; he is fascinated with guns and bombs. As is probably some 99.999% of other boys his age. So I want a room that is fun for him, but not one that is crazy-bunker-gun.

And based on the awesome decorating ideas, I think that distinction does make sense to a lot of people, who picked up on themes and colors, without a big focus on the munitions part. Thanks again all!

[Anonymous]

Op visit Pinterest for some ideas. I just searched "boys army bedroom" and see some cute ideas. I'd go with tan walls, maybe a sky ceiling (with planes!), camp duvet or dust ruffle, dark green curtains, a plane themed ceiling fan, distressed dresser or lockers for storage...could be cute. There's some vinyl wall decals I bet you could find on Etsy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't allow that. I vehemently don't support the military and would not be comfortable having a military themed room in any home I live in.

If my son wanted a less babyish room that would be fine and I'd be happy to change the decor. But not to military, and not to anything that promotes violence.

Rockets and space? Sure. Airplanes? Sure. Olive green and light blue colors? Sure. But I can't do military. So I'd say no.

Out of curiosity, why do you hate the military?

You know what? If you were a single person who asked me one on one, face to face, I'd answer you. But I don't want to get into it on a public forum and derail OP's thread with people trying to jump in and convince me of how wrong I am or how terrible a person I must be, etc.

I vehemently hate the color pink, and would allow a pink bedroom. That just goes against my aesthetics. I can't allow decorating that goes against my morals. OP is free to do whatever she feels comfortable with.

Hey crazy lady, OP did not ask about your personal feelings towards the military. And you mentioned it because you wanted people to ask. You know you did, and we all know it, too. Just stop embarrassing yourself and go away.

[Anonymous]

OP definitely check out interest, I looked up "boys military themed bedroom" and saw some cute rooms.

[Anonymous]

Pinterest. Damn you autocorrect

[Anonymous]

p.s. I'd pick olive green or hunter green over tan walls.