As a mom to three boys, I am often amazed at just how different boys and girls are.  I know that sounds a bit, well, duh!  I tell myself my oldest said “mama” before he said “tactah” (tractor) but really, it was a toss up.  I took him to the hardware store when he was a mere toddler.  His face lit up as if he had finally found where he belonged.  He was just naturally drawn to “boy” things.

Tater has gone through many phases.  Trains, police, shipwrecks, firefighters, tractors, you name it.  He continues to be interested in those things, but there is usually a primary obsession.

Right now it is the military.  Nothing makes the boys happier than trotting around in fatigues, pretending to blow things up.  Aliens are typically the bad guys, thanks to a viewing of “Independence Day.”

I once had pretty high (meaning unrealistic) standards of parenting.  I did not want my boys to have toy guns.  This did not mean that they never played with guns.  Legos, paper towel tubes, and Lincoln Logs all became weapons.  I broke down and bought them dollar store cap guns (but no caps, of course).  I saved them for a snow day.  I don’t regret that purchase at all!  Okay, I have been shot a few times, but bedtime is always pretty hardcore around here.

I had the epiphany that little boys are violent creatures.  Not only that, but they are seeking role models, protectors.  They want to play act at being heroes, at being brave.  Soldiers fill that void for them.

Not to mention blowing stuff up is pretty cool in the movies.

Tater is an inquisitive boy, so he doesn’t just want to play.  He wants to know.  This sounds great, right?  Unless you are cooking dinner and have your little soldier standing next to you, peppering you with questions about WWII that you don’t have the answers for.  Believe it or not, I am not an expert on aircraft carriers or Iwo Jima.

We are back to research.  Just as I read so many books about shipwrecks that I never wanted to get on a boat again, I am now up to my ears in fighter jets.  We have watched snippets of “Top Gun” and “Forrest Gump”.  “Independence Day” thrilled them to no end with all those planes and explosions!  Just when I cringe and think “oh no, they are going to have nightmares!” the boys start hollering with excitement.  Go figure!

Even if I do have to suffer through the endless questions about missiles, uniforms, etc, there is an upside.  I get to play drill sergeant!

I will admit, it warmed my heart when I barked “Soldier, your room is a mess!  Drop and give me 20!” and Tater fell to the ground to attempt push ups.  Oh yeah.  I could definitely get used to that!

There will come a day when they aren’t so innocent.  They will better understand war and death and that it isn’t a game.  But for now, my little warmongers can be the heroes who save the day.  I won’t deny them that.