AIBU?
to get pissed off when parents let their kids pick flowers?
fuzzypicklehead · 12/04/2013 19:11
A mum I know posted a photo of her DC (aged 6) clutching a big bunch of daffodils, captioned "look what DC picked for me at the park! Isn't that sweet?" Sure it's great that he wanted to give his mum flowers, but pulling them out of a public flower bed?
Similar situation with another child when leaving the school grounds just before Easter--she asked her mum if she could pick a daffodil and was told yes. Cue my kids in a sulk the whole way home because I wouldn't let them pluck flowers too.
AIBU to think that flowers in public places are for everyone to enjoy and not for a few selfish people to nab for themselves? Perhaps your child is only picking a few, but if every child who walks by grabs a couple of flowers then they'll be finished by the end of the day. If you want fresh flowers , go and buy them. If your kids want to pull them up, then grow your own bastard flowers so your kids can pull their bloody heads off. Or maybe just tell your PFB "no, you can't pick those flowers because they don't belong to you."
It's been a long day. Need
CarnivorousPanda · 12/04/2013 19:20
Completely agree with you
I still remember years ago, going to a bluebell wood in Kent. Met two women,? g'mother, mother with a small girl aged about 6 who was clutching a huge bunch of bluebells, She had picked so many, she was dropping them on the ground as she walked. They were already wilting. looking back I wish I had said something.
Ignorant, selfish behaviour.
fuzzypicklehead · 12/04/2013 19:29
I was too gutless to comment 
so I came over here to swear about it instead 
. Maybe when I've got rid of this headache and foul mood, I'll be able to muster up something constructive to say.
I get it that she was proud that her kid wanted to pick flowers for mummy, but like TimeIS said, wouldn't a daisy chain be sufficient?
picnicbasketcase · 12/04/2013 19:36
I don't let mine pick anything in parks except daisies and dandelions. I'm quite cross that anyone would approve of children picking flowers in public places that have probably been paid for by everyone's council tax, they are for everyone to see not for a few people to take home for themselves. I would have to say something snarky I'm afraid.
fuzzypicklehead · 12/04/2013 19:44
I think she's completely oblivious to the idea that anyone might object. But if I made a negative comment about her PFB on her facebook, she might be inclined to kick my ass. And if she were so inclined, I reckon she could beat me up one-handed without breaking a sweat.
I like daffodils, but do I like them enough to be bludgeoned for them? If they were hydrangeas, maybe...
AllDirections · 12/04/2013 19:47
I have two friends who let their kids do that, one is a dad who has no respect for anything and the other is a mum who 'can't' stop her DD doing it. DD3 is never happy when I remind her not to even think about it. It wouldn't matter if I said anything to them because the dad doesn't care and the mum can't do anything about it apparently (and it's only a few flowers so it's not a problem is it 
)
MrsKoala · 12/04/2013 19:48
it's a pet hate. We see it round here on Mothers Day - loads of kids in the park with beaming mums and dads as their dc pick them lovely free flowers. They smile at me in a really proud way too - no comprehension of how selfish they are being.
I have even seen a mum let her ds pick flowers from a window box.
I do think some people genuinely have no idea they are planted specially and think they spring up from nowhere and are there for the picking. DH doesn't pick any, but still thinks all flowers are wild, he can't comprehend why anyone would spend time and money purposely planting them 
InkySkink · 12/04/2013 19:51
Perhaps just send her a privateessage with a link to this:
m.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/mar/16/rules-picking-wild-flowers
Saying you wouldn't want her DC to get in trouble with his future thieving efforts?
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