rockin'robin

I've never allowed my boys to have pocket knives. If I find any (and I have in the past), I confiscated them and put them away, with a warning.

One of my sons turned 17 a few days ago. He wants a pocket knife and gave a few reasons (some sound good) to have one......

I'm still considering it and haven't made u my mind as of yet...am asking for some advise here from other parents with teenagers.

What's ur input/opinions on this?

Deafness

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Bottesini

I got a pocket knife when I was five. My grandfather got a new one and gave me his old one.

I really loved it. There's a lot of safety precautions with kids today.

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sallylou

I was the cub scout leader who taught the boys how to handle a pocket knife. It's an important rite of passage for the kids. They love to whittle, especially around the camp fire. It teaches them responsibility and gives them confidence. The cub scouts are 9-10 when they learn to use a pocket knife. A teen can certainly handle it.

Be warned that there is a no tolerance policy for pocket knives at school. That's hard because the boys want to show off their knives so bad!

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Babyblue

My kids have them. I give it to them when they go fishing or when we go camping. Afterwards they hand them back to me to hold. I do not allow them to freely walk around with a pocket knife.

sallylou

Carefully select the knife. It should fit the kid's hand well. I'm partial to Swiss Army knives. Limit the number of blades because it makes the knife heavier and harder to use. You can get a fully loaded Swiss Army knife for certain purposes but more than 4-5 blades is too cumbersome for an all purpose knife.

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Babyblue

In bold... Is why I do not let them freely carry a pocket knife. Too easy for them to use the " I forgot it was in my pocket." excuse.

Jiro

curious - what's your reason for not allowing them to have pocket knives?

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sequoias

I used to have a simple pocket knife and also had a swiss knife as well. I think I still have it somewhere, lol. I'm not going to give a pocket knife til 2 boys become responsible teenagers and can't carry it around anywhere they go.

rockin'robin

Yes, (about taking them to school)...as this was my main concern...and they might forget to take it out and be suspended from school....

I'm gonna talk with my 17 yr. old again about the responsibility of having a pocket knife. Seems a lot of his friends have one....real nice ones.....

sallylou

They can deposit the knives with you when not in use. I also make the cub scouts sign an agreement on the rules. Any infraction and you lose your knife. You can't have it back until you take the knife course again and stay out of trouble.

I actually want my kids to get in trouble while they are young. Better to suffer consequences when the consequences are small. Not doing them a favor by over controlling them and letting them suffer real consequences as an adult. I've seen that happen. Baby steps of increasing responsibility work well.

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Babyblue

Not suspended... they get arrested and expelled from school if caught with a knife.

rockin'robin

Kids taking their pocket knives to school is the main reason. Plus, we all know knives are dangerous if not handled properly, just like a gun.

And if there was a fight, kids automatically reach into their pockets for a knife....they even carve up desks, other people's property....

We do have a knife in our fishing tackle box, and use it, then put it back.

I just don't feel comfortable with a kid under 16 having a pocket knife.

Jiro

I like how you deal with it

RR - a suggestion. I know it's too easy to forget about leaving pocketknife at home before going to school. Why don't you put up a small tray on table/drawer or wall key holder near front door so that your boys can remember to hang up their knives before school.

Everyday when I get home, I put everything in my hat near my door - keys, wallet, pocketknife, and watch.

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sallylou

I remember a high school student whose parents never made him take responsibility and accept consequences for his actions. Smart kid. Got arrested on his 18th birthday. That's when the real consquences start. He was with his 17 YO girlfriend and had transported her across state lines. Hope that he got his life sorted out.

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frankiesmom

i gave all of my kids a pocket knife when they were 8..they are into bb guns now though. i think 17 is definitely old enough, because he is only a year away from adulthood and going out into the world.

Jiro

oic. understandable.

Carrying a pocketknife (or gun) comes with huge responsibility. You decide whether or not your boys are prepared to bear with responsibility like a grown-up.

I'm always consciously-aware of what I'm carrying (either gun or knife or both) and it's like a second nature for me. Before leaving home, I think about where I'm gonna go because carrying knife/gun is illegal at some places such as school, stadium, and government buildings. This whole process takes me no longer than 2 seconds to decide whether or not to carry it before I leave home.

Another issue - I understand that it is handy to have one for self-defense purpose but the best self-defense is to COMPLETELY avoid any conflict especially if you're carrying a knife/gun.

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Frisky Feline

That's a good question. I dont have experience about it yet. My boy is 8 yrs old and has not ask for it yet. My girl has a tiny red swiss but she left it in her room.

frankiesmom

i need to add that i TOOK my 13 year olds bb gun away really quick. why, you ask?
he took it to his friends house and they proceeded to put on football helmets and take turns shooting each other in the HEAD. with this kids moms permission.
i about had a heart attack when i got wind of that one!!! :/

Bottesini

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Babyblue

With his Mothers permission? Good grief!! I think she was shot one too many times with a BB gun.......

rockin'robin

OMG....BB guns can be dangerous also....I didn't allow my boys to have them. Paint Ball guns...only my oldest boy and he got hurt many times. Finally he sold all the Paint Ball Gear at a garage sale.....

I've seen many cases on TV about kids shooting BB guns and damaging other people's property, even shooting animals. Very costly!...And also, kids getting shot in the eye....

I know the old saying..."boys will be boys"....but I'm still very cautious about any equipment being sold these days. I am planning to take my boys to a shooting range sometime in the near future, to have them taught how to shoot a firearm...but not to own one until they are adults.

Jiro

aw.... sold all of his paintball stuff? well I mean... of course there are some pain involved but it's still a lot safer than football - multiple concussions, possible permanent injury from sprained legs/knees/arms, broken bones, heat exhaustion, etc.

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sallylou

Wirelessly posted (droid)

Oh, Lard! Gun safe. Only supervised in an appropriate place.

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rockin'robin

It was his choice, not mine....after getting all shot up...(haha)....so, No, I didn't require him to sell it, and allowed him to play the game. Unfortunately,,(haha)...he wasn't too good at it...and honestly, it made me a happy mamma when he did sell it.

As for football, he's well padded and sincerly loves the sport, I would not take him out of that...and my other son is a Skateboarder...very dangerous too. He just got back from Skateboarding Camp with an award as an Advanced Skateboarder.....I've seen his bruises, cuts, and burns....he's very good at it and of course I do worry about any sport they play. (I'm sure all mammas do)....

sallylou

Tell him to stick with laser tag.

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Jiro

laser. blindness.

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Smithtr

illegal is very knives! that is seroous! risk because police caught you if recommand taser
people scared!

also suggest to pepper spray

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StevieMont927

My mom used to let us have pocket knives, so long as they stayed home. If we had them on us when we didn't need to, especially where it was illegal, she'd have taken them away like nobody's business. If we used them improperly in ways we knew were dangerous (i.e. playing around, throwing them, not being careful when using them, etc.), they were taken. We were taught from a young age to be cautious, and that's carried over to our adult lives. I'm not a parent, but I know what my mom taught me, and that's to give someone the opportunity to show they're responsible. I let my nieces do stuff I'm not sure they can do, and I keep close watch on them at the beginning. If they demonstrate proper responsibility, I'm more comfortable in the future. This might be one of those learning experiences.

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frankiesmom

not to be rude..but i had a SHIT FIT over that one.

Bottesini

I am sure you did! It is just such an odd scenario of the mother giving her permission.

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