I GIVE UP, GO AHEAD AND ARREST ME!!

i had really passionate intentions of keeping my home "violence" free. i don't have toy guns (or any plastic crap for that matter) for the kids to play with, and in the beginning i had proactively redirected asa's attention every time he would start turning an ordinary household object into a pistol, a two barrel shotgun, a jousting pole, a sword, or a bayonet. (yes, all of these words he actually uses!) as i have loosened up, or perhaps have been worn down, i remembered an article that i read a few years ago about weapon play and young boys. i remember how it said that it is not only natural, but also beneficial: the creative role playing, group conflict resolution, and the most obvious one being that it creates a playful outlet for hyper energy. i remember thinking that it sounded reasonable, but it was for those types of families or care givers that weren't perhaps as creative or peaceful as i would be in the situation. HA HA HA HA!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! at first i would encourage wildness and playfulness, the only rule in my house being "non-violence." but these days it is not only easier for me to just let him play in this make-believe weaponry realm, but it is actually pretty interesting to observe. i have noticed that when he plays with a "weapon" (and he gets really, really creative and detailed in his description of the mechanics and process), he is never aggressive. we have a (NEW) rule, which he surprisingly is very happy to abide by, that he isn't allowed to point a "weapon" at a real person or animal. when i tried to control this (peculiar to me) curiosity and force upon him other "creative" things for him to do, he became bored quickly or his pent up energy resulted in emotional breakdowns. in a strange way (i guess the point of the article) he is actually more peaceful having the freedom to imagine and pretend, even if i would have first considered it "violent." i have been catching myself playing along with him, shocked when i realize i am actually enjoying myself. he has been really into arresting me lately, locking me up in jail. he then gets in the jail with me saying things like, "looks like you could use a friend in here" and "let me go make you a sandwich, you must be hungry!" violent? i see compassion and fairness!! today i even broke down a bought him a water gun, whose only function was, lucky for me, watering the flowers. (i still don't really know how i feel about that one!! it is one thing to allow it, another to contribute to it!) one thing i can feel good about, in giving up, we are getting closer.