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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To take my daughter out of nursery because of balloons

181 replies

Theharvestwidow · 14/07/2019 22:38

My husband is a farmer and today came home with a balloon with long ribbon attached, which he rescued from a calf trying to eat it in the field. We have realised it is from DDs local nursery as part of a mass balloon release (this is the second such event in the space of a few months). It seems this time each balloon had a child’s name and what they want to be when they grow up and were released as part of class ‘graduating’. The previous event last month was I think to raise money for local firefighters, they wanted us to donate £1 for a balloon but I refused to take part. It’s a big chain nursery.

Husband and I are obviously lovers of the countryside (and the planet in general!) and I feel really strongly about cutting down on the use of plastics and littering/rubbish etc. I’m going to take the balloon in to nursery and write a strongly worded email to head office as I wonder if this kind of activity is dictated by some central policy, but I do feel in this day and age with so much more focus and understanding on environmental issues, that it’s a bit nuts to still be encouraging our next generation to do this and want to consider looking for a different nursery which acts more responsibly...AIBU?

OP posts:
whatthewhatthewhat · 14/07/2019 23:17

It was probably done by some nice well meaning staff member and the kids all
Probably loved it.
Going in guns blazing when it probably wasn't intentionally meant to cause harm
Is a bit harsh. No one is going to intentionally get a group of nursery kids to harm the environment and livestock/wildlife. The probably saw it on Instagram or Pinterest and didn't think of the consequences.

Educate them, Yes.
But, do it nicely?!

baubled · 14/07/2019 23:19

@thenightsky the helium used for medical purposes is a different grade. The top of helium isn't pure and can't be used for medical machines so it's siphoned off and that's what is used for balloon helium

thenightsky · 14/07/2019 23:24

thanks baubed. I read on MN some time ago about helium being a finite resource and worried.

SarahAndQuack · 14/07/2019 23:25

It was probably done by some nice well meaning staff member

Yes, sure, but come on - people who work in nurseries aren't actually stupid, and it's quite insulting to act as if they are. If they really didn't research the consequences, they're not doing very well, are they?

baubled · 14/07/2019 23:27

@thenightsky unfortunately that bit it is true! There's a worldwide shortage and if the rationing and price increase for the balloon bit is anything to go by then it will be having some kind of impact for the NHS!

JayDot500 · 14/07/2019 23:28

Yeah, all the outrage on Mumsnet doesn't equate to general common public knowledge. I read a lot and didn't associate balloons with the environment until I read it here. Why don't you talk to and educate the nursery before coming close to making such a decision? Even better, you have actual evidence of the nursery's direct impact on wildlife. That learning curve will be sharp!

Geraniumpink · 14/07/2019 23:33

I was torn down on Facebook a few years ago for daring to object to a local balloon release. They ought to be banned. And plastic glitter too.

Toffeecakes · 14/07/2019 23:44

YANBU how companies can claim not to know the damage they can cause is almost impossible.

Waveysnail · 14/07/2019 23:46

Explain about the balloon and suggest a different style of event?

HeadintheiClouds · 14/07/2019 23:47

Like a time capsule, maybe?

BuddysMama · 14/07/2019 23:59

I agree with a lot of the PP who suggest possibly having an informal chat with senior staff at the nursery? This could have been an error of judgement and the consequences not quite considered? If your daughter is settled and happy there and the nursery take on board your comments and commit not to do this going forward then this is win win for you! If however this isn't the case then look into moving her

So frustrating that people are still doing these balloon releases without consideration! Not a great example to set for kids either!! Really hoping for a positive outcome OP and fair play for challenging these behaviours

BackforGood · 15/07/2019 00:04

When @Theharvestwidow comes back and tells us what she did after the first balloon release, then it will be easier for us to know how to advise on reponse this second time.

SemperIdem · 15/07/2019 00:06

Yanbu

TeaMe · 15/07/2019 00:09

Ok, YANBU about the balloons but YABU to unsettle your DC because of it. Maybe explain the problem to the nursery and see if they do it next year.

AndBreatheJustBreathe · 15/07/2019 00:35

The competitive outrage on this thread is hilarious 😂

Some wee lass on minimum wage has been on Pinterest ffs. Just explain what happened and try to educate them. Don’t go to the press ffs.

VenusTiger · 15/07/2019 01:31

Completely backwards behaviour from a nursery/school. It’s littering pure and simple.
Take this thread in and show it to the head/manager.
What a pointless activity and a disgrace. Should be made an offence as is littering.

Ariela · 15/07/2019 02:40

There is a really good article with photos about balloons causing death of animals in this weeks Farmers Weekly you could take in to show the nursery.

I'd encourage something different and come up with an idea eg dressing up as what they want to be and taking a photo - they could sell the photos for far more than the balloons and raise more ££, as not only parents would want the photos but also grandparents etc.

44PumpLane · 15/07/2019 02:47

SarahAndQuack

There are no good options here, AFAIK. There are many options that claim to biodegrade, but they take months or years, so could still do damage to wildlife. A calf or any other animal might easily try to eat a 'biodegradable' balloon; it would still kill them

Thanka for this Sarah, I wasn't meaning for a balloon release, more for me to fill with my puff for the kids to all bat about a room.

(that sounded a bit sarcastic, it wasn't meant to be- it was a genuine thanks for the info regarding the claims of the biodegradable balloon companies--appreciate the reply). Smile

SummerRainSmellsFab · 15/07/2019 03:11

Complain first

BlackCatSleeping · 15/07/2019 03:21

I agree with you, OP. But, I don't think it's your responsibility to come up with an alternative idea. Just say there are countless more environmentally conscious alternatives.

At my daughter's nursery they are tie-dying bags with onion skins for their graduation activity. We have all been sending in onion skins for them to do this. They are really excited.

I suspect the balloon release is just a habit out of tradition. One it's time to change.

cantfindname · 15/07/2019 04:20

Balloons and the damned Chinese Lanterns;oh, and fireworks too while we are at it!

I am not an old misery (well I am old) Just sickened by the injuries these things cause for no real benefit. A brief 'Oooh' as they launch and that's it! Is that moment worth pain and injury to farm animals, pets and wildlife?

My friend lost a gorgeous pedigree cow two years ago after she ate hay with Chinese Lantern wires in it. It punctured her rumen in several places and she got septicaemia despite the vets best efforts. I constantly find balloons in with my horses but luckily so far they have kept well away from them.

Please ask yourself if a few seconds 'fun' is worth a life?

YANBU OP.

AlwaysCheddar · 15/07/2019 06:04

Tell the nursery what happened - hopefully they will stop doing this.

Di11y · 15/07/2019 06:30

it's the strings almost more than the balloons that bother me. a club I do did a balloon release, delighted to inform everyone they were biodegradable balloons but then released them all with 4ft of string Hmm

BeanBag7 · 15/07/2019 06:35

YANBU
Not only are balloon releases a big danger to wildlife and a waste of plastic, they also use up helium which is required for scientific research but is running out due to use in balloons and other novelties.

Jurassicmuma · 15/07/2019 06:42

Yanbu OP! Hate balloon releases. Paper lanterns are just as bad. A farmer near me had a she'd burn down because of one one new years eve, it was awful