Why I Didn't Let My Toddler Keep the Toy Gun: A Lesson in Intuitive Parenting on Gili T

Last week, I took my 15-month-old son on a little escape to Gili Trawangan—a dreamy island off the coast of Bali known for its turquoise waters, sandy paths, and no-motorbike charm. We spent our days barefoot and wide-eyed, soaking up the slow rhythm of island life.

At this age, my toddler thinks the world is his friend. He walks up to everyone—locals, tourists, waiters, dogs—with his chubby hand raised, offering the most joyful wave. He collects smiles wherever he goes. It’s beautiful to watch.

One afternoon, while we were having lunch at a beachside restaurant, a kind local man came over and handed my son a plastic toy gun. “For him,” he said with a warm smile.

I smiled too. I didn’t want to be rude or reject the gesture. My son grabbed the toy, curious and unaware of what it was. But inside, something didn’t sit right. I felt a quiet but firm resistance.

I didn’t want him holding a gun—not even a toy version.

At 15 months, he doesn’t understand what a gun is. To him, it was just another colorful object. But I knew that I didn’t want toy weapons to be part of his world, even innocently. I didn’t take it from him immediately, but later, when he wasn’t paying attention, I left the gun on the table before we walked away.

That moment stayed with me.

Parenting by Intuition: Trusting the Quiet No

So much of parenting happens in the in-between moments—unexpected, unplanned, and deeply telling. When someone offers your child something that doesn’t align with your values, you’re faced with a decision: go along to keep things easy, or pause and listen to your gut.

That moment helped me realize that some parenting choices come naturally, without debate. They come from somewhere quiet but strong within.

I don’t want my child to play with toy weapons. I want him to grow up associating play with imagination and creativity—not conflict.

I don’t want him to grow up attached to screens. I want his days to be filled with real-world wonder: textures, faces, nature, and time.

I don’t want him to eat meat—at least not yet. I’ve been a vegetarian since childhood and I love animals deeply. Until he’s old enough to make his own informed decision, I’d like to raise him with those same values.

A Gentle Approach to Boundaries

As parents, we’ll often find ourselves in situations that test our instincts. People will offer our children toys, ideas, or foods that don’t match our values. And we’re left to choose how to respond—with grace, with honesty, and sometimes, with silence.

That moment on Gili T was a quiet boundary. I didn’t explain, correct, or criticize. I simply made a small, intentional decision that aligned with what feels right for our family.

Parenting isn’t always about making grand statements. It’s often about the subtle choices that shape the environment our children grow up in.

The Takeaway: You Know More Than You Think

If you’ve ever felt unsure as a parent, wondering whether your decisions are the right ones, here’s a gentle reminder: your intuition matters. Those quiet, internal nudges are worth listening to.

You don’t need to follow every parenting trend or have all the answers. You just need to stay rooted in your values and connected to your child.

That’s how we raise kind, conscious little humans—one small, thoughtful choice at a time.