Are All Boy Fascinated With Fire??
@gtargirl (5376)
United States
12 responses
@sandymay48 (2030)
• Canada
11 Apr 09
I think a lot of boys like to experiment with anything that makes a mess. But if playing with fire becomes one of the favourite things to do, I would be concerned. Any kids playing with fire needs to be told of the dangers and consequences and not just scolded for playing with them. If necessary keep all matches or fire starting things put away. I have no idea what age boys we are talking about.
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@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
11 Apr 09
Well, he's sixteen now and fortunately for me, he communicates nicely once in a while. So my warnings are not ignored, but he does love experimenting with those rocket launchers etc. Fireworks is also a favorite which I imagine is a guy thing.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
11 Apr 09
Somewhat later on than the 'burning building' my brother and I experimented with sodium chlorate and sugar (in those days they didn't put a fire retardant in sodium chlorate and anyone could buy it at the local shop as weedkiller!)
I believe that we had a good deal of experience with fire and explosives and were fully aware of the danger (and so took reasonably proper precautions). The only casualties that I remember were a number of fish in the river who were stunned by our depth charge.
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
11 Apr 09
Oh yes, fire and knives are the essential components of a boy's education. I am ever grateful that my parents allowed us to experiment and didn't make too much fuss about the singed pear tree when our 'burning building', constructed of cardboard boxes stuffed with newspaper complete with unwanted soft toys hanging out of the windows (which were cut with a borrowed kitchen knife). Come to think of it, our father was at work and our mother had just popped down to the shop for a minute or two. The minor burns - achieved when we realised that it was a rather larger fire than we had anticipated and had to put it out - were treated (when she came back) with care and solace and without any scolding (that I remember).
I was given a pocket knife for my tenth birthday and taught how to use it (and how to keep it sharp). I still bear the scar from the one time that I cut myself with it.
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@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
11 Apr 09
The injuries weren't life-threatening or maiming. I think the important thing to do is to educate your lad in what to do if things go wrong (and then, of course, how to make sure things don't!)
Fireworks are undeniably dangerous and one has to understand what they are designed to do (explode) and what they can do if they don't explode in the sky. Young men (and boys) need to discover this themselves, to a certain extent.
We have a very successful business in the UK called Kimbolton Fireworks which began when an enlightened teacher at a prestigious Public School (you might call it a Private School) decided to teach some of his pupils how to make fireworks ... with proper supervision. They are now one of the foremost providers of public displays in the country
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@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
11 Apr 09
Yes I have memories of playing with fire as a boy. We built this sort of hut in the hedge at the top of the garden making the walls of small branches and dry grass. Needless to say it was not long before some idiot (not this particular one though) set the grass on fire and the whole lot went up in the most spectacular fashion. It took the hedge years to recover at that spot. Small boys are all budding pyromaniacs.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
11 Apr 09
Although the injuries are a little alarming, you have brought me some peace. I'll remember not to scold him but I will remind him of the dangers. Thanks owlwings. Thanks for a male's point of view, I always appreciate that.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I guess they are. My brothers were all fascinated with fire. My older brother even burned the house down once playing with matches in the middle of the night. You should be worried. cause my mom was burned really bad and still carries the scars for all to see today what my brother did over 34 years ago when he was 3.
@GardenGerty (160940)
• United States
11 Apr 09
I think maybe they all are interested in things that burn or explode. I would worry, and keep the fire extinguishers handy. I had a rule of no flammables in the bedroom, and I made my son the official barbecue starter for a whole summer to give purpose to it.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
11 Apr 09
I definitely like the "purpose" thing. That's what I'm thinking of doing this Summer. He's the official barbecue starter. Great idea, plus he loves eating our Indonesian Satay, so he won't have any complaints. Thanks GardenGerty.
@psychotaz206 (2086)
• United States
11 Apr 09
i would be a little worried because my son likes to do that but he has adhd,odd and bipolar so that explaines why he likes to do it but my 6 year dont he just likes to watch and so does my 3 year old and they are boys as well my daughter is to young for that shes only 11 months , i would just watch him and see what other things he does.
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@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
11 Apr 09
I guess that's all I can do. Give him a little advice and keep a watchful eye. Thanks psychota.
@maygodblessu44 (7336)
• India
14 Apr 09
Hello my friend gtargirl Ji,
One has to be careful. They should not damage themselves as well as property. But all
children do all this avtivities.
May god bless You and have a great time.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
12 Apr 09
My son did it. He could never figure out how I knew he did it ( and that sulphur smell had nothing to do with my figuring it out).
Well actually he played with matches...he may have done other things that I don't know about.
How old is your son?
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
12 Apr 09
I'm not sure if all boys are fascinated with fire but I do know alot of them are. I would be very concerned if my child liked to burn things. I think they really do not know how dangerous it could be.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
12 Apr 09
I don't know about all boys, but I know mine and the neighbor boys when they were small would love to throw things into the fire that either we had going or their parents..I think as long as the child knows the danger and that they are to NEVER be around a fire without an adult, then I wouldn't worry about it..But if your worried that your son is playing with fire to the point of not following those rules, then I would be worried and make sure that he never has the opportunity to play with matches or fire..
@jlredike12 (207)
• United States
12 Apr 09
haha, not all boys. i used to, not going to lie, haha, but i grew out of that time when i was a kid. no you should not be worried