Bodyguardin'

These kids aren't afraid to shoot.

So today I took an important first step in my little zombie's life: I took her to play laser tag.

Keep in mind that my midget is only four, so the vest is giant sized on her. In fact, as she's dragging her pack around, her sensor is literally down by her ankles Which makes me wonder how she actually managed to get hit so many times. Her three scores for the day (because we signed up for a triple play) were a proud -133, -33, and -47.

If only we were playing golf!

Actually it was a lot of fun and I'm proud that my little one doesn't care what her score is. However, there is a deep, underlying note of distress here. Clearly, my Bean has no idea how to defend herself in an attack.

I was doing my best to serve as her bodyguard. I followed closely behind her the whole time, and tried to clear a perimeter for the little girl to amble along slowly and safely. However, when she fails to remember to actually shoot at any of her opponents, its hard to make much headway. I was proud to see that after awhile she learned to duck behind doorways and the like, but she was still just a standing duck most of the time.

Of course, the fact that we were walking at a snail's pace, and that I was constantly reminding Bean to "shoot, shoot, shoot" didn't help dodge the lasers. My scores weren't too great either, but at least I was midrange each round.

I think that I need to plan a regiment of training to commence immediately. I know it's possible, I saw some 7 and 8 year olds who were familiar with the term "sniping" and who were taking people out. So I propose that we all start taking our children to the laser tag arena. Teach them how to hide, how to sneak, and how to shoot.

On the plus side, Bean knows to use the grates in the floor and the windows to try to find people. If only she remembered to fire at them once she found them. And to not shoot at herself in the mirror so much.

Seriously, I forgot how fun this is and I want to go back soon. Maybe just with my adult friends. Make teams, clear a perimeter, train ourselves up.

Who knows, it could lead to a more profitable future of survival.... maybe.

Braaaaiiiiiinnn Food: How do you teach little kids to play great and to play fair in a shooting arena?