Need Help Explaining What a Military Tank Does

Here's an idea- tell him that people are active getting strong in tge army and that is one way to exercise. They learn to drive cars, buses and tanks. The shooting is to protcect their land from mean ones.

Good luck

Hi K.

I know what you mean about the violence side of things. we can't keep these things from kids for ever, but we can ease things out gently in a way that's better for them to take on board.

I'd say that a tank is for carrying soldiers when they're working in the desert. Then spend more time explaining what a desert is - there's lots and lots and lots of sand but it's not a beach because there's no ocean! And because there are hills made of sand, the soldiers would get stuck if they were in a car, so they go in a tank which helps them move through all the sand.

Then spend some time pretending to be a stuck car in the sand and then a tank, bumping through easily (making all the right noises, of course!)

At the end of the day, kids - especially boys - love vehicles. So I'd stay focused on the the vehicle and what it does, rather than the wider context.

Hope that helps!

Tell the truth! Your son is going to find out about that sort of stuff...and soon! As soon as he goes to school or plays w/other little boys he's going to learn. Wouldn't you rather he learn from you? You don't have to get into the graphic nature of what they do, but don't make up something silly. If he's anything like mine, he'll insist that he is right because his mommy told him! The other kids may laugh or tease him then. A lot of time the simplest answer is all they are looking for anyway. Good luck.

K.,
I keep thinking of how we are to talk to our kids about sex- and like a mom earlier mentioned, we cannot keep violence and guns away from their conscious lives forever (oh that we could though, no?). Just like sex, a child only really wants to know the basics, so go simple. It is a gun. Guns are used to protect us or to help us with food. Sometimes, big guns, like on this tank, are used to get things out of the way, like buildings, rocks, (or really bad people- but your call on that one for sure!) fences, etc.
They carry soldiers inside them safely so they can go where ever they need to make sure we can be safe.
Just answer with the most basic answer you can give.

you can give a basic explaination..."it drives over rough ground and people sit in it, it's very strong and powerful". My most important piece of advice though is NEVER lie to your children. You may leave things out, but even now you are building trust with them that will help you get through their teenage years where they will need to know you're on their side. Avoid the guns in your explaination unless he asks(but from a mother with 5 boys they'll pick up sticks and start shooting because they're acting like BuzzLightyear...it's unavoidable)if you must and of course explain on a lower level, but don't lie. If he asks athe gun give a basic explaination and keep going, if you make it a big deal it will become a big deal to him...he likes it because it moves and makes noise...that's okay.

I would try and keep it simple. Explain that tanks are like big trucks that can drive over big rocks and sand. As far as guns I would tell him "its a gun, but mommy doesnt like guns because they hurt people". (I try to keep in mind that I enjoy hamburger and venicin and meat and that all guns are not intended to kiil.) My daughter is 4 now but last year was a pirate for halloween. I mention this b/c the costume came with a gun and thats how i handled that. I also let her play with squirt guns recently with the purpose of getting people wet not to hurt them, i didnt over do the guns and violence speach she just wanted to squirt people, her gun also didnt mimic an ak47 it was from a dollar store. I hope it works out for you.

K., you need to be honest because he's going to remember your answers and find out that you lied if you lie. You don't have to go into gory details, but do a little research on it and see how you can explain to him in a "educational, history" form. Then once he grows and sees you tell him the truth, he'll come to you more often for information. I always make it clear to my boys that guns are not to shoot people, but for hunting etc. My husband goes into talking about things like that with them. Our oldest knows he is not to touch a gun without mommy or daddy and our second oldest is learning that and so forth. Remember, make it sound fun, educational, without gory details. He'll love you for your honesty.

Hi K.
I bet you are wondering why you bought that tank about now. You learned that lesson; if you don't want to answer the logical questions don't put children in contact with them.
I usually simply asked them what they thought it looked like. Agreed with what they said. Sometimes I was surprised by what they knew.
Are you planning on homeschooling? If not they should probably know the word "gun" and if you are in a military community they should probably know what tanks do before they go to public school. If you are homeschooling then you have an extra year or so.
That being said, I told my boys that cowboys & Indians used guns to get their food. And tanks are used to keep us safe. My girls never asked. I sent the boys to Christian school, and homeschooled the girls.
God bless you and your purpose to keep your children naive as long as possible.
K. SAHM married 39 years--- adult children 38,33,and twins 19.

I would tell him it's for blasting through walls.