To think that the parents should be consulted before giving a child a live animal gift?

[BellaeCandelae]

My sister has bought ds a fully-equipped aquarium, with a voucher for fish, for his birthday. I can't believe she's unaware of how I feel about fish. Even typing this makes me feel uncomfortable. It's more than dislike, it's phobic.

I've explained to the dcs that we won't be buying fish for the aquarium, but will look into whether it's suitable for terrapins or frogs.

But I'm furious at my sister, and can't believe that my parents let her get away with it either!

I wouldn't dream of buying someone else's children a pet without consulting the parents first.

Is there any pet you would agree to? if so I would flog the aquarium and use the money to buy something you would be happy to have (gerble/hamster/guinea pigs/budgie)?

And for Christmas I would buy your sister a terantula. .

save it for spring and use it for tadpoles? or what about triops? wierd prehistoric thingies.

YANBU

I can tell you b4 I read your post that YANBU. Ur sister must be off her rocker. Tell you what - accept the aquarium so long as she is fully responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the bloody thing. People can be so stupid/thoughtless.

I thought about triops - that would kill two birds wiyth one stone. A couple of tyears ago my brother gave ds a mahoosive triops thing. Takes up half a tabletop, and vcannot be moved. Very inconvenient (why cou;dn't he just give one of those little jug-sized Sea Monkrys things? But no, my brother always goes one better...). I did clear a space and try it, nbut nonthibg hatxched. Perhaps I dshould try thge reast of the eggs in the new aquarium.

I'd quite like a sheepskin rug for ds's bedroom, and I think he would, too!

YANBU!

What a pain the arse!

pets as gifts are wrong.

YANBU. Out of order. Pets affect everyone living in the household.

No YANBU. But you know that

I think animals as gifts are quite ridiculous.

That is AWFUL. I would KILL my sister if she did that. OR give a pet monkey to her kids without any warning. Revenge.

Plus, you can get rid of the aquarium, tell the kids that instead they can have something nice - that you approve of!

God what a nightmare!

really not on!i share the fish hobia well its not really a phobia just think anything from underwater are horrible unless covered in batter and acompanied by chips!

Those Triop things are horrible/creepy. No sooner had we gotten of the living one (eventually died boo hoo) then we got another one. We still have it in a box (definitely unwanted gift). You're welcome to it. Even freaked DH out.

I would have been tempted to return it...but I guess you've commited to the terrapins?! Or were your kids not so bothered about it? You are completely within your rights to say, no pets at the moment, sorry.

Is your child old enough to handle the hygiene issues of terrapins? I don't think it's common but they can carry salmonella, so you'd need to be extremely careful about hand-washing etc. Also, I think they can live for yonks, and you shouldn't release them into the wild when the kids have outgrown them, they do terrible damage to native wildlife. Could you use the aquarium for a gerbil?

Can't think why anyone in their right mind would give a child a pet without consulting the parents.

Dont those terrapins last for years and years?

YANBU. Even if you didn't have a phobia of fish, you wouldn't be. Does she have children?

Maybe you could grow corals in it or something??? Otherwise, the stickinsect idea is good.

Dd's hamster leads a merry life in one of our old aquariums. By far the easiest hamster cage to clean out and no noisy chewing of bars!!! (has got an adapted lid to allow for enough air tho)
Otherwise - terrapins - live for ages, need heating, filtration, lighting, large enough space, and one of their food stuffs is ...f.i.s.h. So not a low maintainance option. Terrapins

Pity that the giant snails don't do it for you - we have just taken custody of the ones from ds's class. Seem very easy.

Stick insects sound like a fair option.

Does she have a phobia? Snakes? Tarantulas? Choose pets accordingly and invite her round to inspect her thoughtful gift.

YANBU -am shuddering in sympathy bella - have similar fish phobia (doesn't it make going to the beach tricky!?) . But even if you didnt have that , its just ridiculous to buy anything pet related for kids without asking the parents?

heck I would be cross too. Its the principal of the thing too

Why giant snails? You can get perfectly good small ones from the garden. We've got some in a large jar at the moment by the kitchen sink. The biggest is fingernail size.

layer of sand, layer of compost, assorted veg matter and (most importantly) a cover which allows air in but doesnt allow snails out. Very easy. and if you go on holiday just liberate in the garden and restock when you return.

Obviously any live creature should not be given without consultation. Even if it was a creature you all liked and even wanted .

Thank goodness your DS seems to be a lot more mature than your sister.

I'm amazed to discover that I'm not the only F.I.S.H phobic freak around!

I've had many a panic attack when entering a Chinese take away/dentists waiting room or some such to find myself confronted by a tank full of you know whats.

Send it back. No doubt about it.

YANBU. i came home one day to a fully kitted out fishtank in my lounge. DH and DS had been to the pet shop and decided to get one while i was blissfully ignorant down the shops. i hit the roof, but now i have to just put up with it. DH does all the cleaning of it though