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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be upset by spider-killing teacher?!

99 replies

Glossymare · 30/10/2018 17:02

Ds, age 8, tells me on our way home from school ‘my teachers a bit cruel. Today there was a spider on someone’s desk so she squashed it with her ruler. It was bleeding.’ I told him ‘that was cruel. She should have put it outside safely. How sad’.
Now, I don’t like spiders but I always get my husband or eldest son to take them outside because I’m too fucking scared too
But, this has really made me sad. What a shit example to set to children. AIBU?! I am premenstrual, so possibly a bit over emotional!

OP posts:
Hawkmoth · 30/10/2018 17:05

I hope she gets a silverfish infestation and the spiders refuse to intervene.

ButchyRestingFace · 30/10/2018 17:06

I agree. It grinds me gears when people needlessly kill spiders instead of removing them/leaving them alone.

We may however be in a minority. And full disclosure, I'm not a vegetarian.

Maybe your daughter will grow up to be a Friend of the Spiders. 🕷

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 30/10/2018 17:06

I’m not excusing the teacher’s actions at all - they shouldn’t have killed the spider. But since you’re too scared to take spiders outside yourself, what would you have done in the teacher’s position?

Bit hypocritical to judge them for not taking the spider outside unless you can say that you would have done.

nellieellie · 30/10/2018 17:06

I would hate this. My children have been brought up to respect all living things. Killing a spider gratuitously is a terrible example to set. Both my DCs would have been very upset. I know most people would disagree with me, but I’d have made a complaint.

TSSDNCOP · 30/10/2018 17:06

This comes under the heading “Let it go”

phlirty · 30/10/2018 17:07

Love spiders. Not sure they bleed, though? Mind you, I don't kill 'em so what would I know...

phlirty · 30/10/2018 17:07

Send her to a Buddhist school.

UrsulaPandress · 30/10/2018 17:07

A plague upon her.

MrsStrowman · 30/10/2018 17:07

Unless you're a vegan this is just too much hypocrisy, feeling sad because your DC saw a squashed spider and taking them home for meat and two veg 😂

Houseonahill · 30/10/2018 17:08

Sorry but my fear of spider is so bad I would be doing well not to cry, a million pounds wouldn't be enough for me to pick one up and put it outside even in a glass. If I was said teacher I'd be squashing it as well.

If it was outside and she squashed it that would be different.

Topseyt · 30/10/2018 17:08

This wouldn't bother me at all. I hate spiders and couldn't give a shit about their welfare.

There was a problem. Teacher dealt with it.

Original poster
Glossymare · 30/10/2018 17:08

Well, I’d have left it alone until it moved away. Like I do when my son eldest ds arent arrived to save me Grin

OP posts:
OnoAnotherNC · 30/10/2018 17:08

I'm bloody terrified of spiders but don't kill them. I deal with them with a glass and piece of card (or get someone else to help). Something shouldn't have to die because I have an irrational fear of it.

babycatcher411 · 30/10/2018 17:09

I wouldn’t be overly impressed by this either. She should’ve found someone to remove the spider if she really couldnt manage it herself.

In primary school I was the spider-catcher for years for many of the teachers who hated them, and whilst I don’t like them now like I did as a kid, I would still never kill them.

nellieellie · 30/10/2018 17:09

Btw, being scared of spiders is no excuse. I’m completely terrified, but I’ve never knowingly harmed one. A beaker and a piece of card do the trick, and plenty of kids would volunteer if asked.

femidom12 · 30/10/2018 17:09

Interesting choice of thread title there!
Sounds somewhat cruel on the teachers part to me.
Even if they hate spiders he/she should have made more of an effort to put the spider outside without killing it....

zippey · 30/10/2018 17:09

I think it’s ok to kill spiders. And flies. And insects in general.

PotteringAlong · 30/10/2018 17:10

I’m a teacher. I’m not allowed to leave my classroom with children in it by themselves. If there’s a commotion going on because of a spider then I’ve been known to squash it, bin it and move on.

You said yourself OP that you wouldn’t have taken it outside. What did you want her to do?

MsPavlichenko · 30/10/2018 17:10

If it is true. The amount of stuff DC come out with about school, and no doubt about home at school.... Would fill a book..I say this as mum to adult DC.

Not suggesting out and out lying by the way but may not be entirely accurate

Original poster
Glossymare · 30/10/2018 17:10

Oh, I won’t be complaining. I was just surprised she did it really. I’ve never yet needed to squash one.

OP posts:
Original poster
Glossymare · 30/10/2018 17:11

Pop it out the window?!

OP posts:
SideEyeing · 30/10/2018 17:11

I love spiders and am happy to put them outside. On the othet hand I kill wasps in my classroom - I'm severely allergic to their sting so despite the cries of distressed children it's a 'it's him or me!' attitude. Besides, NOTHING disrupts a lesson more than 30 kids shrieking and diving because 'wasp!'

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 30/10/2018 17:11

Wicked bitch. You can't use the vegetarian argument either.
People eat meat for survival. You don't have to kill a defenceless spider for survival.

Original poster
Glossymare · 30/10/2018 17:12

Hahahahaha!!!! It was supposed to say spider killing teacher!!! How on earth do I edit it?!

  • [Message from MNHQ: we've edited this for you now] Smile
OP posts:
Lweji · 30/10/2018 17:12

I hope she gets a silverfish infestation and the spiders refuse to intervene.

Grin

Let it go.

Explain to your child that cruelty would have been to remove the spider's legs. As it was, death was quick and likely non-painful.
The spider was asking for it, by crawling across a desk, anyway. They should have known better. Or maybe they wanted to die.