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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to expect this man to not bring his pet on the school run?

90 replies

MarvellousYou · 03/05/2013 16:38

So I turn up a few minutes early to pick DS up from preschool and the dad of a boy at DS' s preschool has a python round his neck as though it was as normal as bringing your yorkshire terrier. I can't stand snakes but not particularly phobic, it was obvious others were, including the children.

I'm surely outing myself writing this as there can't be many that have seen this on their school run but what would you have said, if anything? We all just ignored him, steered clear and ran. Would I be wrong to say something next time? It was all a bit surreal, maybe I'm a bit sheltered but I just stood there, pissed off that he wouldn't think how others might react to him and his ahem...snake?

OP posts:
bollockstoit · 03/05/2013 16:52

I wouldn't like it particularly. It's an odd thing to do. Can't they carry salmonella?

stealthsquiggle · 03/05/2013 16:52

LOL at snake poop scoop.

DC shouldn't be scared of snakes though - not in the UK at least. Mine have both been to animal parties with snakes involved, and it is only ever the parents who are scared.

YABU, I think.

fuzzpig · 03/05/2013 16:53

I'd LOVE it! Snakes are awesome. Wish I had several one.

In a nearby part of town there are a little pot bellied pig and a parrot that go for walkies on leads. Not the same owner though.

FreckledLeopard · 03/05/2013 16:54

A friend of DD's used to bring her ferret on the school run. I would love to see a snake in the playground!

treas · 03/05/2013 16:54

Are you quite sure he wasn't asked to bring it in to show the children.

Actually might have been beneficial for the scared children to meet it and realise there is nothing to fear except your own stupidity when dealing with animals.

We actually took ds's Tarantula into his pre school and primary on request for educational purposes. Nothing so daft as ignorance.

fuzzpig · 03/05/2013 16:54

Thing is loads of people are terrified of dogs and they aren't banned from school runs!

stealthsquiggle · 03/05/2013 16:55

... and you have to retract the whole AIBU if he has done you a favour by bringing on your labour Wink. Good luck.

badguider · 03/05/2013 16:55

Most kids love to pet snakes. It's exciting.
A bit attention-seeking of the dad, but not unreasonable IMO.

fuzzpig · 03/05/2013 16:55

PMSL at the snake stretching its legs :o

Are you in labour then OP?! Shock

DukeSilver · 03/05/2013 16:56

Ooo i'd love to see that!

Last summer a guy took his python to the park near my house when it was nice weather. It was having a lot of fun and everybody was fascinated by it. I also saw someone in the same park walking around with a huge parrot on their arm a few days ago. I think its sweet and why the hell not?

skaen · 03/05/2013 16:57

Yanbu in the slightest.

I don't like snakes.

PeterParkerSays · 03/05/2013 16:57

Can you imagine being that bloke's child next Tuesday at preschool? "Wow, loved your daddy's snake (no inuendo please ladies), mummy will only let me have a gerbil...."

Instant kudos

Original poster
MarvellousYou · 03/05/2013 16:57

Ok, next time I'll ask him if I can stroke his snake...ahem and ask him what species it is. I still think he's a gimp. And you're right about dogs being just as scary for some. FWIW I keep DS away from them too. I'm off take break open the paracetamol to see if I'm having braxton hicks or contractions! Sorry to start a thread and run x

OP posts:
ajandjjmum · 03/05/2013 16:57

I would have had a heart attack.

Original poster
MarvellousYou · 03/05/2013 16:57

*to break

OP posts:
Hercy · 03/05/2013 17:02

I'm petrified of snakes, so I wouldn't have been happy about it, and would no doubt inadvertently made some of the children nervous by my reaction.

I think a phobia of snakes is reasonably common so I think it's unreasonable for this man to take it on the school run without pre warning people.

Triumphoveradversity · 03/05/2013 17:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cheesesarnie · 03/05/2013 17:06

maybe it was just his scarf?

everlong · 03/05/2013 17:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MarvellousYou · 03/05/2013 17:09

He was wearing it as a scarf quite casually, if people hadn't commented I'm sure some of the children wouldn't have noticed. I think it was about 1.2 metres long. Brown with a kind of triangular pattern on it?

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 03/05/2013 17:11

Which nursery was this? So I can steal my nephew and enroll him

My kids would love this, but dd1 wouldn't be happy to get too close, dd2 would demand to hold it Grin

thebody · 03/05/2013 17:16

I think he's an attention seeking twat.

But I am pre-menstrual and anti men today.

All men are twats.

HoneyDragon · 03/05/2013 17:24

At least you didn't have a HISSy fit Grin

Trill · 03/05/2013 17:27

:o at HoneyDragon.

YABU

trixymalixy · 03/05/2013 17:28

Wouldn't bother me at all. Bit attention seeking from him.