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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kid told to go and chase the birds

326 replies

GOODCAT · 04/07/2021 13:35

I don't have kids, but was at the coast this morning when I overheard an adult, presume mum, tell a young girl to go and chase the birds, said in a way that meant she was to go and entertain herself by doing this.

My own parents would have told me off for this and to be kind to other living creatures.

It always annoys me when I see kids chasing birds and their parents saying nothing, but to actively encourage a kid to do so is a first.

AIBU to find it sad that this kid was being encouraged to chase birds for no other purpose than her own entertainment.

OP posts:
FindYourPorpoise · 04/07/2021 15:06

[quote SmidgenofaPigeon]@Doghead why? Because giving birth to a little darling immediately makes people lose respect for wildlife and you’re powerless not to indulge every whim?[/quote]
I get the feeling there are quite a few unthinking parents grasping for a reasonable excuse on this one. Hmm

1forAll74 · 04/07/2021 15:12

I hate to see little kids purposely chasing birds,the kids are usually screaming and flapping their arms about at the same time. It might look funny to some onlooker, but it's not a good idea. If she had chased a swan or large goose, especially with young ones, she would have been in for a shock, and got herself a big wing wack, and not done it again.

JassyRadlett · 04/07/2021 15:18

@Doghead

Maybe wait until you have kids before judging other people's parenting
Ok, I’ve got two, so I’ll judge on OP’s behalf.

OP, totally agree that this is shitty behaviour by the parents. Basically ‘it’s ok to be unkind to some animals depending upon how much entertainment it gives you’.

Blossomtoes · 04/07/2021 15:23

@Onehotmess

My dog chases birds, should I tell her to stop? I wouldn’t encourage it but I wouldn’t get involved in someone else’s child chasing birds. I think you probably just need to get over it
Same. Kids are pretty much hardwired to chase pigeons.
CherryPlumCrow · 04/07/2021 15:23

@AmyandPhilipfan

I was at a visitor attraction a few weeks ago with a big lawn for picnics. Two ducks were enjoying waddling over to everyone in the hopes of a snack. My daughter was delighted when they made their way to us. A bit later we saw about 4 adults laughing indulgently as the toddler they were with chased the ducks until they flew off. My 4 year old was quite vocal in announcing he shouldn’t be chasing them!

Good for her 👏

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 04/07/2021 15:24

No, you shouldn't chase birds.

My 3yo (almost 4) likes to follow birds, you'll normally get told to 'shhhh, don't scare the X off' while he's doing it. He's pretty good with the names now too. Spends hours watching them from his treehouse, he has been known to try & get the House Sparrow to take crumbs from his hand (unsuccessfully, although the Robin will now come right up to him). He's adamant he wants to be a Pigeon when he grows up Grin

I let him pick Daisies, Dandelions, Clover etc though. He knows not to pick flowers from beds & to ask if he's unsure. As did my older dc.

CherryPlumCrow · 04/07/2021 15:26

@Doghead

Maybe wait until you have kids before judging other people's parenting

Why? Because parenting is so very difficult it's easier to let your little brat do what it wants?

CherryPlumCrow · 04/07/2021 15:27

He's adamant he wants to be a Pigeon when he grows up

Cute 😍

Sirzy · 04/07/2021 15:28

@Doghead

Maybe wait until you have kids before judging other people's parenting
I have a child. I have happily taught him to respect living things and not to scare them just for fun.
StylishMummy · 04/07/2021 15:31

DD1 and DH were on seagull chasing duty in St Ives recently, while DD2 and I tried desperately to eat an ice cream without getting dive bombed. I don't allow them to chase or harm any animals or insects usually, but the seagulls would literally take food from a child's hand if they weren't immediately shooed away! YABU depending on the circumstances

HarebrightCedarmoon · 04/07/2021 15:31

I tell other people's kids off for chasing birds if they do it near to me.

girlmom21 · 04/07/2021 15:35

@ScaredNotAnxious as I said earlier, it's easier for a 2 year old to understand we don't pick flowers than to encourage picking some and discourage picking others

Witchesbelazy · 04/07/2021 15:40

My children have never been allowed to chase birds disappointed some defend it

JassyRadlett · 04/07/2021 15:41

Kids are pretty much hardwired to chase pigeons.

I mean they are also hardwired to thump each other when they’re pissed off and to eat their own snot, judging by many kids I know.

That’s where the parenting bit comes in. If the behaviour is hurtful to them or to others (or even if it’s just socially unacceptable), we teach them not to.

Or do people think the birds particularly enjoy being chased?

IsabelAllende · 04/07/2021 15:51

Why? Because parenting is so very difficult it's easier to let your little brat do what it wants?

I have a kid with SN who wouldn't probably understand why chasing birds is wrong, he wouldn't even understand the reason behind it. But sure, I let my "brat" do what he wants to do.

girlmom21 · 04/07/2021 15:57

@IsabelAllende

Why? Because parenting is so very difficult it's easier to let your little brat do what it wants?

I have a kid with SN who wouldn't probably understand why chasing birds is wrong, he wouldn't even understand the reason behind it. But sure, I let my "brat" do what he wants to do.

It's our job as parents to teach them. They won't understand right away but it's up to us to reinforce rules until they do. We can't use special needs as a reason to allow a child to intimidate animals
Blossomtoes · 04/07/2021 16:01

Or do people think the birds particularly enjoy being chased?

I don’t think they mind it nearly as much as posters here seem to think. There’s a fair bit of anthropomorphism going on here.

Sirzy · 04/07/2021 16:05

@IsabelAllende

Why? Because parenting is so very difficult it's easier to let your little brat do what it wants?

I have a kid with SN who wouldn't probably understand why chasing birds is wrong, he wouldn't even understand the reason behind it. But sure, I let my "brat" do what he wants to do.

But surely you still stop him?
Greenrubber · 04/07/2021 16:06

I don't think chasing birds it a big deal and I say that as a vegan! My DD who is 4 knows not to hurt any animals no matter what their size or of she doesn't like them we talk alot about nature and how we can help the planet and what is bad for the planet
She knows to look and not touch
But... Yes she chases birds she's never going to catch them she also chases and is chased by her friends at nursery kids like to chase its not a big deal
At least we are not eating them! Unless you are all vegan your all a bunch of hypocrites to talk about animal cruelty

CherryPlumCrow · 04/07/2021 16:06

@IsabelAllende

Why? Because parenting is so very difficult it's easier to let your little brat do what it wants?

I have a kid with SN who wouldn't probably understand why chasing birds is wrong, he wouldn't even understand the reason behind it. But sure, I let my "brat" do what he wants to do.

Well maybe hold his hand when around birds? Or distract him another way?
Sorry there is no excuse.

Hankunamatata · 04/07/2021 16:08

If its seagulls, they are flying rats and deserved to be chased. Feckers nest in roofs and dive bomb our street. They have to come in and cull them

SmidgenofaPigeon · 04/07/2021 16:08

Ah, I wondered when someone would pop up and say it’s perfectly ok not to tell their child to respect an animal’s space and right to exist peacefully because their child has special needs.

Irrelevant. Still not acceptable. And I’ll wager the majority of children who do this have no special needs at all beyond ignorants entitled parents who can’t be arsed to teach them otherwise, or worse still indulges every impulse.

CherryPlumCrow · 04/07/2021 16:09

@Greenrubber

I don't think chasing birds it a big deal and I say that as a vegan! My DD who is 4 knows not to hurt any animals no matter what their size or of she doesn't like them we talk alot about nature and how we can help the planet and what is bad for the planet She knows to look and not touch But... Yes she chases birds she's never going to catch them she also chases and is chased by her friends at nursery kids like to chase its not a big deal At least we are not eating them! Unless you are all vegan your all a bunch of hypocrites to talk about animal cruelty

She's not eating them but terrorising then instead?
Okay then Hmm

Greenrubber · 04/07/2021 16:12

@CherryPlumCrow

Omg she's 4 she gets nowhere near them get over yourselves 🤦‍♀️

CherryPlumCrow · 04/07/2021 16:14

[quote Greenrubber]@CherryPlumCrow

Omg she's 4 she gets nowhere near them get over yourselves 🤦‍♀️[/quote]

But she scares them enough so they fly away?
Think you may have to have a word with yourself about what being a vegan really means.