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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU? Goat, hay and child.

65 replies

Spaceunicorn6789 · 22/02/2019 09:03

We were at the zoo yesterday (me and DP) and they had a little petting zoo area with little goats in. I love goats, so grabbed some hay out of the feeder on the ground, went and sat in a quiet corner and fed the littlest one.

A boy, around 4 or 5 ran up to me and scared the little goat and tried to grab the hay out of my hand (he already had some in the other hand), no parent to be seen. So I said "No, you can't take this hay because it's mine and it isn't nice to grab, you can get some more hay over there is you want though" and smiled. The boy started crying and wandered off.

Now me and DP have been arguing (light heartedly) since yesterday afternoon about this. He thinks I am the most evil Cruella DeVille type in the world for making this boy cry whereas I think you can't just go up and take something from someone else's hand.

WIBU?

mostly lighthearted!

OP posts:
recrudescence · 22/02/2019 10:06

I would have taken the shy goat home.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 22/02/2019 10:08

Awwwwwwww. Was it a little kid. Totally misses the point of the thread.
Too busy thinking about cute little babiesGrin

Stopyourhavering64 · 22/02/2019 10:08

When I saw the OP, I immediately thought of the Father Ted episode with them at the fun fair and the 'tunnel of goats' Grin

Stopyourhavering64 · 22/02/2019 10:10
....can we have nurse please to the tunnel of goats
MorningRichie · 22/02/2019 10:10

Oh, I love goats!

Birdsgottafly · 22/02/2019 10:13

Misses the point, but, children shouldn't be unsupervised around goats. Especially with food in their hands.

I think you've got to allow for being overexcited.

spatchcock · 22/02/2019 10:15

“I don't get feeding the goats at all.“

There’s always one Hmm

It doesn’t matter how old he was. We should model and teach good behaviour from babyhood. Even if he was 2 but looked 10, you can gently show how to interact and share with other people.

Long winded way of saying... yanbu OP.

OneStepSideways · 22/02/2019 10:15

I'd be grateful if you responded like this to my DD (she's 4 and I like to think she wouldn't grab hay from you) all children need to learn you don't do that.

MadameDD · 22/02/2019 10:22

I don’t see anything wrong with what you said personally but if you said this to my DD4.5 I might be a bit Hmm as it’s a bit mean.

derxa · 22/02/2019 10:22

There’s always one hmm Grin I know. I can understand feeding a lamb because they need milk but feeding a goat? Aren't they a bit bitey?

AuntieCJ · 22/02/2019 10:22

YANBU. People who think you were U are probably rearing entitled brats.

TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 22/02/2019 10:24

" don't get feeding the goats at all."

Goats are a domesticated farm animal, usually bred for milk, meat and wool. They are often a feature of something called a "petting zoo" where other similarly tame animals are kept (sheep, chickens, rabbits, etc) and people can visit and interact with them. This interaction usually involves feeding the animals selected food, such as hay for the goats. Hope that clears things up a bit.

Wallsbangers · 22/02/2019 10:25

I think it's a little kid in an activity for little kids during their holidays. He was probably very excited. You could have asked him to ask you for some hay instead. Please and thank you are important lessons too. Probably would have saved his tears.

katienana · 22/02/2019 10:26

Goats don't bite, you keep your hand open and they take the food, you feel a little flutter from their mouth! I love feeding the animals when i take my kids places like this

IWantChocolates · 22/02/2019 10:26

The behaviour sounds more like a 3-year-old than a five-year-old, having taught years of reception children.

Regardless, I'd have corrected the child too so YANBU.

WorraLiberty · 22/02/2019 10:27

So I said "No, you can't take this hay because it's mine and it isn't nice to grab, you can get some more hay over there is you want though" and smiled.

Of course YANBU but blimey, that was a bit long winded wasn't it? Grin

"The hay's over there love", would've done.

PMmehunx · 22/02/2019 10:29

hopping what do you mean? You literally hiss? Like a cat? 😂😂😂 I don't know why I'm finding this so funny. And then what do the children usually do? 😂

Anyway, no up, I don't think you were wrong. I'm sure most 4 year olds have already been taught not to snatch, especially of some random adult stranger. I don't have a 4 year old yet, but the ones I know are generally good at sharing, definitely don't snatch, and they DEFINITELY don't walk up to strange adults and try to snatch off them.

MRex · 22/02/2019 10:31

My DS is 11 months and I'd be fine with anybody telling him not to snatch even at his age, consistency might mean he'll understand the rules when he gets older. Not that I'd leave him on his own around goats.

I'd probably have told the kid he mustn't snatch but could sit down to quietly feed the goat with me, "be as calm as you can, see how scared she is" etc. Same message but avoiding tears. You aren't obliged to be nice to other people's free roaming kids though, so YANBU.

Marcipex · 22/02/2019 10:35

Of course YANBU.
Many people even much older cry if things don't immediately go their way.

Just look at the baby names threads for example.'We said we are naming the baby Evie and sil cried and says that's HER name for a girl. Whenever anyone says anything she cries and says we're mean to her.'
It's just a get - out clause, waaaaah poor lickle meeeee

It isn't doing children any favours to not teach them any manners.

derxa · 22/02/2019 10:37

Goats don't bite That's not true

saxatablesalt · 22/02/2019 10:38

It's just a get - out clause, waaaaah poor lickle meeee

Actually I don't think that's very fair. I cry all the time. I cried in bloody natwest the other day because the machine swallowed my cheque. I cry at any form of confrontation. I cannot tell you how embarassing I find it and how much I hate it. I've tried so much to not to do it and I can't - it's a physical reaction.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 22/02/2019 10:40

I would have done the same as you.

SheeshazAZ09 · 22/02/2019 10:42

You are 100% right to correct bad manners and thoughtless behaviour around animals. So the boy burst into tears--he'll get over it and possibly remember the lesson in manners.

Doghorsechicken · 22/02/2019 10:43

You were right to do what you did OP. And petting zoos are not just for children! I used to go often before DC, I just love animals!

PrestonsFlowers · 22/02/2019 10:44

hoppingreen
Love that, hissing at small children Grin

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