"Women make us poets, children make us philosophers." ~Malcolm de Chazal
I find this statement a little more accurate each passing day as a father (my poetry still sucks though). Hunting is our way of life, but it brings up challenging to reconcile in a child's mind. I've always been of the mindset that I will preserve my children's innocence as long as possible because the world is a cruel place and will take it from them soon enough on its own, but this brings to mind more questions all the time. How do I preserve this innocence yet perpetually present them with the harsh realities of hunting? How do I temper teaching them kindness with destroying a life? How do I reconcile in their little minds respect for these animals that we pursue and ultimately kill? How do I teach them that violence is not the answer in most cases but in this one it is?
My children have been exposed to hunting since birth and they are aware of its realities, but it brings up interesting conversations. My 3 year old didn't understand why we couldn't shoot my neighbor's chickens and in the subsequent explanation that they don't belong to us and they are egg layers, he indicated that they are mean, to which I replied "no they won't hurt you, they are friendly". "Friendly" was a poor choice of wording and now he thinks we only kill "mean" animals not "friendly" ones, which for the time being is sort of ok but he thinks when I go into the woods or mountains that I'm doing some sort of battle with these animals. Children are funny little creatures.
I'm interested to hear your tales of challenges with bringing your children up around hunting?
I find this statement a little more accurate each passing day as a father (my poetry still sucks though). Hunting is our way of life, but it brings up challenging to reconcile in a child's mind. I've always been of the mindset that I will preserve my children's innocence as long as possible because the world is a cruel place and will take it from them soon enough on its own, but this brings to mind more questions all the time. How do I preserve this innocence yet perpetually present them with the harsh realities of hunting? How do I temper teaching them kindness with destroying a life? How do I reconcile in their little minds respect for these animals that we pursue and ultimately kill? How do I teach them that violence is not the answer in most cases but in this one it is?
My children have been exposed to hunting since birth and they are aware of its realities, but it brings up interesting conversations. My 3 year old didn't understand why we couldn't shoot my neighbor's chickens and in the subsequent explanation that they don't belong to us and they are egg layers, he indicated that they are mean, to which I replied "no they won't hurt you, they are friendly". "Friendly" was a poor choice of wording and now he thinks we only kill "mean" animals not "friendly" ones, which for the time being is sort of ok but he thinks when I go into the woods or mountains that I'm doing some sort of battle with these animals. Children are funny little creatures.
I'm interested to hear your tales of challenges with bringing your children up around hunting?