Kahler Family Happenings

Ethan recently started Cub Scouts.  He is very excited and has really gotten into it.  Last weekend we went to the Scout Store to get his uniform and other goodies.  While we were there he saw a display of pocket knives and I decided to get him one.  It’s a classic Cub Scout knife.  It has a blade, a screwdriver/bottle opener and a leather punch.

Within Cub Scouts there are different levels of progression.  First grade is a ‘Bobcat,’ second grade is ‘Wolf” and third grade is ‘Bear.’  Ethan is in second grade, so he is a Wolf.  As it turns out Cub Scouts are not supposed to use a pocket knife until they are a Bear.  Since I found this out after I had already purchased the knife I decided that he could use the screwdriver part of the knife, but not the blade.  I also told him he could only use it with me.  With those rules in place, we put the knife back in its box, and put the box in his top dresser drawer.

Yesterday, we got a call from the Assistant Principal that she had taken Ethan’s pocket knife away.  Needless to say we were shocked.  As it turns out, he took it to school to show his friends.  When the principal asked him what would have happened if he would have accidentally cut himself or someone else, his reply was “Mrs. Vildamaire, that wouldn’t happen.  I’m only a Wolf, I’m not allowed to use the blade until I’m a Bear.”  She said it took every ounce of her self control to stop herself from laughing out loud.

I have mixed emotions on this whole thing.  I’m glad that he stuck to the rules, I’m mad at myself for not making a rule about taking the knife to school.  Lesson learned on my point, and after losing his knife I think he learned a lesson too.