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Original poster

Overheard this at the London Aquarium.... how do you feel?

61 replies

pupuce · 16/04/2006 15:29

We took kids out to the Aquarium yesterday (we and 3.000.000 other parents !!!!) anyway when we got to the ray's tank, where you can touch them... my kids and other kids were gently stroking the rays (encouraged by the staff).
A mother said to her 6yo (?) child to get his hands off the water.... he didn't, she smacked his arm... (his dad said it's OK just roll your sleeves up).
Her point was that he couldn't wash his hands afterwards and then when he did dis-obey her (she continued telling him off) she said "don't put your hands in your mouth...."

Now me think... OTT mother.... can your child not go to the seaside and swim in sea.... nearly said it Blush

What do you think ?

P.S. Rays were from the British seas.

OP posts:
MadameDeMars · 16/04/2006 15:33

Yes I do think it's a bit OTT, however, there may have been a reason for him not to put his hand in the water (her anal obsession with staying dry for example). However, yes it was OTT to continue telling him and the fact that neither her nor the father can agree on what the child should or shouldn't be doing shows a lack of consistency.

edam · 16/04/2006 15:37

Agree with you she was over-reacting but it is generally a good idea to wash your hands after handling animals. Why couldn't her ds wash his hands? Presumably they have loos there?

Original poster
pupuce · 16/04/2006 15:39

they do.... I did wonder if there was a special reason but when dad appeared more laidback!
Also how hard is it to restrict a 6yo doing what many other kids were doing.... very hard.... so why put him through this?

OP posts:
bubblerock · 16/04/2006 16:10

At sealife here they have child height handwash basins by the touch pools. Sounds like she was a bit of a clean freak!!

Pinotmum · 16/04/2006 16:37

She should have bought antibac gel in a bottle that doesn't need water Grin Always be prepared! I think she was OTT though!

edam · 16/04/2006 16:41

Agree Pupuce, is just mean to bring a child into an environment where everyone else is having fun and say 'you can look but not join in'. Unless there's a serious reason. But sounds v. odd.

Surely taking your own antibaterial gel would be bordering on OCD, though? Grin

edam · 16/04/2006 16:42

Maybe he has severe eczema? Just trying to think of explanations...

spacecadet · 16/04/2006 16:42

i carry anti bac gel every where, you never know when you might have to use some gruesome loos with no soap!

Pinotmum · 16/04/2006 16:45

Er yes of course, very extreme Blush (removes anti bac gel from bag and puts it back on shelf).

edam · 16/04/2006 16:50

Borderline OCD the lot of you! A few germs will build up your immune system no end. Grin

PS Seriously antibac gel is a marketing con, won't do anything special that ordinary soap and water can't achieve for 1/10th of the price. If you want something to cart round in case there's no soap, what's wrong with baby wipes?

velcrobott · 16/04/2006 16:52

They're full of chemicals [yuk]
You can't win, can you LOL

spacecadet · 16/04/2006 16:56

edam-its actually alcohol gel that i take around with me....and babywipes!!!!
ocd alert.

edam · 16/04/2006 18:57
Grin
cod · 16/04/2006 18:59

you DONT REALLY take alochol gel around
weidos

DumbledoresGirl · 16/04/2006 19:00

As a worsening emetophobe, I am becoming increasingly paranoid about what my children touch and then what they do with their hands afterwards. Mine have been to the acquarium and have touched the rays, but I would have qualms about it.

Go easy on her. Who knows what fears or hang ups she has?

ItalianJob · 16/04/2006 19:01

did you erm borrow the alcohol gel from work, spacey Grin

I think babywipes would have been the solution for this mum pupuce!

daisy1999 · 16/04/2006 19:02

I do cod ! Smile
Always have a little bottle in my handbag so I don't have to lift the little ones up to use the handbasins. Have you tried holding up a child, holding the tap down (they always seem to have the ones you have to hold down Angry), hold your handbag, get the soap out...need I go on? I'm not an octopus you know!!!. Get out the antibacterial gel much easier.

suedonim · 16/04/2006 19:48

Another OCD bacterial gel carrier here. Grin In my defence, we live in W Africa where you're lucky if there's any water to wash with, let alone soap as well!!!

handlemecarefully · 16/04/2006 20:17

I think...it was hardly child abuse so why worry..?

Her business..etc

handlemecarefully · 16/04/2006 20:19

Actually I also carry antibacterial gel around with me - but that's more to do with having to 'poop a scoop' after the dog and wanting to clean my hands after (although - they haven't actually been in contact with the poo!)

edam · 16/04/2006 20:20

Yes, but I'm indulging my curiosity (and laughing gently at people who carry alcohol gel around in their bags).

bubble99 · 16/04/2006 20:24

Sod the anti-bac! I carry a portable autoclave. Smile

busybusybee · 16/04/2006 20:27

Thread hijack alert - Suedonim - I had no idea you lived in W Africa - And I have no idea why I felt the need to say that :o Genuine surprise I guess!!

hulababy · 16/04/2006 20:29

I carry the antibac gel too a lot of the time Grin Take it work with me - you never know who's been where!

ItalianJob · 16/04/2006 20:29

Grinbubble. reminds me of a nurse at my M & T group saying that sterilisers weren't really up to much - that you'ld have to stick bottles in an autoclave at several hundred degrees for an hour to really get them bacteria free. I don't think she was implying that was what she actually did with her bottles Grin