. . . To be dreading "bonfire night"

[AllesAusLiebe]

Hi everyone,

So, I'll start by saying that I'm not originally from the UK and I don't want to criticise the customs and traditions here.

I've got a 2 year old and a cat and every single year, I dread this holiday.

The worst thing about it for me is that it isn't just one night. My cat has been completely losing his shit since last weekend because of people setting off fireworks. I've tried creating a little corner of the living room for him and have a Feliway plug in, but the poor little guy is terrified.

Then, there's my son. I thought that due to coronavirus, this year would be a more scaled back affair, but I'm dreading next Thursday as I know that the lack of outdoor displays will mean that more people will be setting fireworks off in their gardens. He sleeps well, but lightly. I have visions of him being woken up multiple times during the next week. He's generally scared of loud noise, and he's too young for me to explain to him what's going on.

So, if you've got small kids and/or pets, what do you do? Does anyone else absolutely hate this, or do I need to stop being such a spoilsport and embrace it?

Sorry but I do think you are being a bit of a spoilsport .

It's not all the time and I'm afraid the world doesn't stop because of cats and children.

YANBU its about time they were banned.

I had a feeling that I'd get this reaction.

What do you do about kids' sleep and crazed animals, though? Serious question.

Well you need to embrace it, but not because you are being a spoilsport, but because other people will make their own choices and nothing you can do will stop it really, so not much point getting upset over it as nothing will change. Sorry you are in this situation, I hate fireworks night for the same reason.

I am also quite concerned about the amount of people who will be DIYing this bonfire night..I get worried to start with as I think its really dangerous, even if you follow precautions. But this year, there is likely to be 10x or more people doing their own if no displays are allowed

@Effinell I'd go for a ban on them entirely, but I'm miserable.

Maybe a ban on fireworks other than on November 5th? I.e. not all fucking week long. 😂

I spent the six months prior to bonfire night shouting BANG at my baby. She’s never been bothered by bonfire night. Neither have my cats 😂

YANBU. I am in favour of designated days, so people can protect those who suffer from firework noise and their pets.

I wish everyone would use quiet ones, I've no issue with people doing it but they're too loud.
My dog is petrified of them.
@garlictwist it's not just cats and children, people with autism and veterans also don't cope with the bangs. Horses bolt and get impaled on fences etc.. When quiet ones exist I don't think it's fair to terrorise people and animals just to see a few pretty lights in the sky

Haha maybe I'll try that.

There's an irony to this, though, isn't there? Not many people right now would object to a dude setting parliament on fire. 😂

Love bonfire night. It's my birthday too

Don't think you're being a spoilsport at all. It's selfish and dangerous to have fireworks at home, I'd ban them and stick with organised displays which sadly there can't be many of this year. I feel so sorry for animals in particular and if it was just one night maybe fair enough but it never is.

Could you try playing white noise in your sons bedroom? I live in noisy flats and my 18 month old has rain noise playing for bed every night. It kind of drowns out other noises. We use an alexa but you could use your phone if you don't have any other way.

Not sure about the cat, mine isn't too bothered by fireworks. My cat is very greedy so I imagine if I just fed him treats all evening it might keep him happy. 😁

I ll either have a newborn, be in labour or about to be induced that weekend so I m hoping my neighbours don't go overboard this year as there's no displays this year, as I think my noise tolerance will be a lot lower than usual.

@Henio I didn't know that you could get quiet fireworks! That seems to be a good solution.

@MisiSam thanks, I'll give that a try. I used white noise when he was little, so it might just work!

I also think that they shouldn't be allowed outside organised displays, but they are so I think the only way is to accept that your DS will get a few nights of disturbed sleep and that this is annoying but it really isn't the the end of the world, and that while a cat being scared isn't nice it's also not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.

I agree with you op. In my opinion fireworks are a perfect demonstration of the selfish nature of humans.

I love bonfire night and going to a good display it's the one event this winter I'll really miss above Christmas.

YANBU. I enjoy a good fireworks display like anyone but I'm pretty sure that the rhyme DIDN'T go "remember remember the 29th of October..."

[quote AllesAusLiebe]@Effinell I'd go for a ban on them entirely, but I'm miserable.

Maybe a ban on fireworks other than on November 5th? I.e. not all fucking week long. 😂[/quote]
Oh so you mean you have something against the Diwali related fireworks going on right now. Ah I knew this would be a racist thread.

I agree, I hate fireworks, especially ones people set off in their gardens. With my cat, I usually keep the tv or radio quite loud to mask the noise of any fireworks. With a two year old, I would keep them up a bit longer in the hope that they will be fast asleep and not wake up if any fireworks go off later in the evening. So annoying that people have already started letting off fireworks already round here! I will keep my cat indoors after dark for at least the next 10 days.

Hate fireworks. Noisy, antisocial, dangerous. My horses get really distressed, and I have to check their fields every day for burnt out detritus.

Thunder shirt for the cat, not sure about kid.
Bonfire night is shit, and the fireworks on sale to every spud are too powerful.
I hate it, also every pet I had hated it and it triggered my ex PTSD so I occasionally found myself being wrestled to the floor during the night with him bawling Cover.

Guy Fawkes can fuck off now.

YANBU

I can’t stand fireworks, and I wish they were banned (except organised displays). I feel terrible for all the animals (wild and pets) who just don’t understand what is happening. We are really lucky that our three cats and dog aren’t too bothered by it. Sounds like you’re doing all you can for your wee cat. I dunno if the vet would give you something stronger than feliway? Might be worth asking. Pet remedy is good too, you can get it in spray form for their blankets, etc. Classic FM, barricade all the windows, etc. I do this every year as I wasn’t sure how all my animals would be but thankfully they’ve been fine so far 🤞X