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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take dd to the circus?

20 replies

SuddenlyMadameGlamour · 03/07/2012 10:53

I have been pretty anti circuses as a rule, but my mum has been offered some tickets through work and wonders if me and dp would like to take dd.

Mum says that this one is all clowns and acrobats, and that they all tend to be nowadays. Is this true? Don't want to turn up and see a load if wild animals being forced to do tricks.

Plus dd is only 18 months. She is just at the age where she laughs and claps if she sees someone on the tv or in rl doing something funny like me doing the upsy daisy dance but would she really stay amused all that time and not start playing up?

Has anyone been to one recently with kids of similar age?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 03/07/2012 10:56

As for animals, it depends on the circus. Quite a lot are human only now but their publicity should tell you that.

I think your daughter is way to young tbh. We went this year (no animals) with ds age 4 and 6 and the 4 year old had had enough after an hour.

Everythingsgoingtitsup · 03/07/2012 10:57

DP took ds aged 2.8 to a circus last year (not one with any animals, they are awful). Ds hated it, said it was too noisy and scary and they left at the interval.

CailinDana · 03/07/2012 10:58

I think an 18 month old would either be bored silly or terrified at a circus to be honest. They tend to be very noisy and dark.

Noqontrol · 03/07/2012 10:58

I went to the Moscow state circus recently with my 4 yr old and 2.5 yr old. It was all acrobats, no animals. 4 yr old loved it. The 2 yr old found it a struggle to sit still for so long and we left at the interval. The whole performance would have been 2 hours, we stayed for one hour.

SarkyWench · 03/07/2012 10:59

We've taken the boys to three different (small) circuses.
Only animals we've seen are badly trained goats and a couple of ponies.

But I'd wait a year or two.

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 03/07/2012 10:59

I would only go if human only. You will see posters around or ask at the gate. It should be clear.
Otoh I think your dd is too young. I only start taking mine to shows/cinema at 3.5 or 4 :)

Original poster
SuddenlyMadameGlamour · 03/07/2012 11:03

Thanks all! Mum says this one is no animals, so hopefully that is true then. Think I may risk taking dd, seeing as the tickets are free. I don't think she'll be scared, things like that never seem to phase her! But she may get bored and wriggly so if that happens we can just leave I guess.

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 03/07/2012 11:08

If they have animals then YABU - if not then YANBU!!

However, at 18 months old there is absolutely no point taking her anyway!

VolAuVent · 03/07/2012 11:36

YANBU to go to the circus if it's human only.

Here's the current situation on animals in circuses. Animals are still used in circuses, with an estimated 150-200 animals currently held. There's currently no law against circuses using certain types of animals.

If you're against using animals in circuses you might like to urge Defra to commit to a deadline for a ban by sending a message via this RSPCA campaign (scroll to the bottom of the page)

FWIW I enjoyed a trip to the circus when I was a child but I'm not sure an 18-month-old would be able to sit through the whole show.

Mishy1234 · 03/07/2012 12:08

We recently went with DS1 (4) and DS2 (2). There were no animals and they both loved it! We had ringside seats, which I did have reservations about when I saw how close we were, but DS1 loved seeing all the equipment at close quarters and got to ask the trapeze artists a few questions.

There were some pretty young children there and none of them seemed overwhelmed. I guess it just depends on the child tbh. DS2 loved the whole thing and thought the clown was hilarious!

I would just take her and see how she gets on. The tickets are free, so you won't feel bad taking her out if she doesn't like it.

Toughasoldboots · 03/07/2012 12:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maybeyoushoulddrive · 03/07/2012 12:36

I didn't realise there were still circuses with animals travelling in Britain Shock We have probably been to about 6 different circuses now - all fantastic - no animals...

I would say 18 months is too young, but with free tickets you could leave when she gets antsy!

Original poster
SuddenlyMadameGlamour · 03/07/2012 21:46

Well I took her and she absolutely loved it! It was really loud but she went absolutely nuts, she was clapping and dancing in her seat (she refused to sit on my lap and had a seat of her own), and munching on popcorn, she was still going strong by the interval but we decided to take her home anyway as it was 6 o'clock by then and I wanted her to get het some proper food and calmed down before bed time. And she went down straightaway! Must have worn herself out!

And there were no animals! Hurrah! Just done rather buff trapeze artists and a clown that looked like mr tumble...

OP posts:
Original poster
SuddenlyMadameGlamour · 03/07/2012 21:47

I mean just SOME rather buff trapeze artists! Blush

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Byecklove · 03/07/2012 22:55

We took ours to the (human only) circus when the littlest was about that age and they both loved it! It was only a little one and obviously he didn't get much of what was going on but it was like a mini cirque de soleil. He loved the lights, people, songs, popcorn and light sabres!

holyfishnets · 03/07/2012 23:06

Giffords circus is amazing!!

TarnishedTupperware · 03/07/2012 23:12

I took DS last year when he was 2.5
This one did have tigers etc. my DS was bored after about 15mins and preferred to run about with some other kids. All he wanted was a luminous green ice pole sold at the event.
The camel ride at interval was good though.
If you stand by your morals don't go if there's animals I suppose, that not being your issue here I still believe you will be leaving early with your DD due to her boredom.

VolAuVent · 03/07/2012 23:57

Glad you enjoyed it!

SPsFanjoLovesRussellHoward · 04/07/2012 00:16

Clowns were sent by the devil!

I don't trust them!

FallenCaryatid · 04/07/2012 00:38

I took my children when they were small and we still go most years.
It's a good place to see glamorous females wearing glitter and sparkles with serious muscle and all a decent weight as well.
Rather than the emaciated lollipops and heroin chic styles of fashion.

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