JTA for a "violent" child?

[jvncnt]

If there is any question as to whether or not someone might be hurt, how can this even be a legitimate question as to whether or not he should participate. As noted above, more than a guy dressed up as Vader, there are 11 young kids on stage. I personally wouldn't chance that my son would ruin it for everyone else, or god forbid, hurt another child because I wanted him to experience something that I knew wasn't right for him. The fact that the question is being asked, to me, means that you know what the right thing to do is for your nephew. Follow your gut, because you know he shouldn't participate.

Not all experiences are right for everyone, and I think we have a duty to others to know our kids (or nephew's) limits and act accordingly.

 

[disnut8]

All the children who participate have to go through a one on one question period with a Cast Member, correct? Yes, the parents will be there but the child has to answer the questions. At least that's what happened when my grandson did this a few years ago. So, why wouldn't that question period be when the child is accepted or not? We were concerned for the opposite reason - our grandson isn't the shyest kid in the world but he's close. I think that question period is also a chance for the Cast Members to let the on stage people know what they can expect from each child.

OP - I'd recommend telling your nephew that it's just a game with children from all over and it's not his home so he has to play by the house rules.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If there is any question in your mind that he may get carried away in the moment and try to hurt someone, I wouldn't do it. Yes, they vet the children individually before they sign up, but it is just a short interview without light sabers in hand or any type of action involved. In addition to worrying about the other children and the CM's, think about your nephew. These vacation experiences are supposed to be fun and memorable in a good way. If he gets carried away and the CM's have to take his light saber away or lead him off the stage, that could be very upsetting and humiliating. Why potentially set him up for failure? He is very young. Perhaps when he is a little older and can self-regulate a little better, JTA would be a better idea.

 

[hiroMYhero]

All the children who participate have to go through a one on one question period with a Cast Member, correct?

The Operations CMs, who are never onstage, ask the questions to determine if the child is within the correct age range and if the child truly wants to take part in the show. If a 3 year-old is told to lie and say they are 4, the Operations CM allows them in the show.

They don't ask the child if they have recently maimed anyone or if they totally disregard parents' directives.

The show functions on the premise that well-behaved children take part and will follow directions. If that description doesn't fit the OP's nephew, it's best he not sign-up for Jedi Training.

 

[Aurora0427]

I am disturbed by a 5 year old who "aims to hurt people."

 

[cruisingtwins]

I am disturbed by a 5 year old who "aims to hurt people."

This is third hand information I knew it wasn't the parent of the child asking as soon as I read the title. Either way some kids play more rough than others you as a parent correct and model good behavior so your child actually turns into a good human being.

 

[Aurora0427]

This is third hand information I knew it wasn't the parent of the child asking as soon as I read the title. Either way some kids play more rough than others you as a parent correct and model good behavior so your child actually turns into a good human being.

I get playing rough... I have a little girl and we have lots of friends with boys around age 5. Playing rough is normal. Aiming to hurt someone, which is a direct quote from OP, seems a bit much.

 

[cruisingtwins]

The ways the post was written it seems the op does not really have a very good opinion on the child. My kids sometimes think "hurting" us is funny. In no way they are maliciously trying to hurt us we play along but put a stop to it if anyone is actually getting hurt.

 

[mshanson3121]

This is third hand information I knew it wasn't the parent of the child asking as soon as I read the title. Either way some kids play more rough than others you as a parent correct and model good behavior so your child actually turns into a good human being.

I agree with the others. There is a difference between rough-housing in good spirit and getting a little wild sometimes as all children do - and intentionally "playing" with the aim/goal of hurting someone, which is what OP says her nephew does.

 

[tinkerhon]

He needs to be able to follow directions. as the previous poster said, they will remove him from the stage if he does not.

Very true ! We saw a child get "reprimanded" today during the JTA that our kids did for swinging the lightsaber and hitting Vadar in the shoulder

Agree with the others --- if the child "aims to hurt" , might not be a good idea to do JTA

 

[Raenstoirm]

He does aim to hurt the bad guy. He would not go after the other kids or the good guys. Its Darth I am worried about. He is very into superheroes and star wars and other violent characters. Evil must be destroyed type genre. He is not allowed to watch television so the destructive knowledge is solely from his books. Kid has a very good imagination! When playing with him in a physical way he often has to be reminded to be gentle or to calm down, if he has assigned you the role of a bad guy. Its like he doesn't remember that you are you and not the joker or shredder or a sith or whatever bad guy. I have never actually stopped to watch JTA, so I am not sure how it works. But yeah, I think it is best if we skip it this trip. It is his first trip so he should be overwhelmed by the amount of things going on and not missing out on becoming a jedi. Star Wars is a new fascination. He just moved past Ninja Turtles.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

As others have noted...it would be better to wait until he is older. There are other Star Wars events that would be more suited to his personality.

 

[NYHeel]

The Operations CMs, who are never onstage, ask the questions to determine if the child is within the correct age range and if the child truly wants to take part in the show. If a 3 year-old is told to lie and say they are 4, the Operations CM allows them in the show.

They don't ask the child if they have recently maimed anyone or if they totally disregard parents' directives.

The show functions on the premise that well-behaved children take part and will follow directions. If that description doesn't fit the OP's nephew, it's best he not sign-up for Jedi Training.

I have a very short 13 year old son. Only 57" tall. Is the age 12 cutoff very strict? Meaning are they going to ask how old he is or just assume he's within the age because he looks like an 11 year old? I don't want to tell him to lie (and I won't) but would love for him to be able to be a part of this with his younger siblings.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I have a very short 13 year old son. Only 57" tall. Is the age 12 cutoff very strict? Meaning are they going to ask how old he is or just assume he's within the age because he looks like an 11 year old? I don't want to tell him to lie (and I won't) but would love for him to be able to be a part of this with his younger siblings.

The CM will more than likely ask him his age. If he says 13, he will not be allowed to sign up.

 

[DVCcurious]

What's the worst that could happen? He takes his sword and starts beating on the kid next to him. If that's something you're comfortable with seeing then go ahead and sign him up, but if him beating on another kid with his lightsaber is something that would embarrass/humiliate you then don't sign him up.

It seems to me that there is a chance he could beat on his neighbor. How will you feel if that actually happened?

I don't think it's a risk worth taking. I have a very, very active DS3 who will turn 4 in February. I haven't shown him Star Wars and I don't plan to very soon. He gets enough bad examples from The Muppet Show (he throws things like the Swedish Chef for example)

 

[lovethattink]

He does aim to hurt the bad guy. He would not go after the other kids or the good guys. Its Darth I am worried about. He is very into superheroes and star wars and other violent characters. Evil must be destroyed type genre. He is not allowed to watch television so the destructive knowledge is solely from his books. Kid has a very good imagination! When playing with him in a physical way he often has to be reminded to be gentle or to calm down, if he has assigned you the role of a bad guy. Its like he doesn't remember that you are you and not the joker or shredder or a sith or whatever bad guy. I have never actually stopped to watch JTA, so I am not sure how it works. But yeah, I think it is best if we skip it this trip. It is his first trip so he should be overwhelmed by the amount of things going on and not missing out on becoming a jedi. Star Wars is a new fascination. He just moved past Ninja Turtles.

Aiming to hurt the bad guy seems like a big sign that he just isn't ready yet.

There are youtube videos of the new Jedi Training. Perhaps viewing them would make you feel better about a decision. Especially if he views it and says he wants to destroy Vader, or that he'd do this or that which would be off the script.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

I have to agree with the PP's. It sounds like your nephew is not ready for this experience yet. Since you have said yourself, he aims to hurt people, it would be irresponsible of the adults with him to purposely put other people in a situation where they could get hurt.

THIS!

 

[ArwenMarie]

That's good you decided to skip it this trip OP. Hey you never know kids change so much year to year and maybe next time it will be a better fit for him. Hope you guys have a great trip.

 

[Turn the Page]

He does aim to hurt the bad guy. He would not go after the other kids or the good guys. Its Darth I am worried about. He is very into superheroes and star wars and other violent characters. Evil must be destroyed type genre. He is not allowed to watch television so the destructive knowledge is solely from his books. Kid has a very good imagination! When playing with him in a physical way he often has to be reminded to be gentle or to calm down, if he has assigned you the role of a bad guy. Its like he doesn't remember that you are you and not the joker or shredder or a sith or whatever bad guy. I have never actually stopped to watch JTA, so I am not sure how it works. But yeah, I think it is best if we skip it this trip. It is his first trip so he should be overwhelmed by the amount of things
going on and not missing out on becoming a jedi. Star Wars is a new fascination. He just moved past Ninja Turtles.

I have been watching this thread for a couple of days and agree with the pp's who say it sounds like he isn't ready.

I realize this isn't your child so there really isn't much you can do about it but if the child has problems with aggression why on earth is he allowed to read books that feed into it? And why is everyone condoning the behavior by continuing to play rough with him at all?

 

[Turn the Page]

I tried to edit a grammar error and ended up quoting myself. Whoops.