Did something really mean and now feel terrible

[Anniebows]

I know I did completely the wrong thing here, my DS was given a balloon at a little show, after the show his behaviour was not great, he also wrapped his balloon up in his toy. In a moment of frustration I pulled the balloon string off the bow and let it go, my child was very upset. Ive apologised and explained I was wrong to do this but I still feel really terrible, anyone had a similar experience? Have I scarred him for life

Haha maybe you have… but you’ve also showed him that people make mistakes and can apologise. And that maybe his behaviour should be better in future!

You sound like my husband! Ive cried after bedtime because I just feel like the worst mother.

As a farmer who’s had an animal die from eating a balloon that was let go like this and then fell in our field, I find this very difficult to read that someone would do this on purpose.

I mean, is there any need when she’s already feeling pretty terrible??

It's factual.

That may be, but OP did not ask for balloon facts or anecdotes. It was an unnecessary comment.

Think we’ve all had our moments of bad parenting that will guilt us forever. Make yourself feel better knowing that as a teen he’ll likely bring this up in company whenever possible to embarrass you and he will enjoy every minute of shaming you!

I never knew this, they should publicise this more, apologies!

Maybe you should feel bad if you behave so selfishly? Just pop the balloon

I disagree.

It's very irresponsible to just let a balloon go imho. They're a danger to wildlife and farm animals. 😧

Plus helium is a limited resource that is used in mri machines. Fuck knows what we'll do when it runs out

She is asking whether she was wrong to upset her child. I’m sure she doesn’t need to add potentially murdering animals to that.

I honestly thought everyone was aware how bad balloons are for the environment.

No, what she has shown him is it's fine to be mean to people as you can just apologise after. I get that people have moments of frustration, we have all done something we shouldn't have when it comes to parenting, but let's not dress this up as any sort of teaching opportunity.

Yes, there's clearly a need.

Heaven forbid a grown adult should have to understand the consequences of their actions when they expect a child to

I think that was a horrible thing to do. I'd buy him a new balloon tomorrow.

This never occurred to me, and I'm glad you mentioned it, independent of the context of this thread. I don't like the idea of helium balloons much anyway because every gram of helium in a balloon is a gram less on earth to make MRI scanners with, but I remember balloon races when I was a kid and it makes me wonder how much damage they did when they came down. (Don't get me started on sky lanterns with a lit candle, which are basically unguided incendiary bombs.)

I've honestly never laughed so hard at a Mumsnet post 😂 👍🏻 Christ almighty, read the room.

Not ideal but not a bad life lesson either, if you continually push people sometimes they snap…

Fucking hell 🤣🤣 it’s not that deep

Any mention of balloons on MN turns into people ranting about helium. It's the MN law.

This has become one of the maddest Mumsnet threads ever in record breaking time.

OP people do stupid shit all the time. You've apologised. Take him to buy a nice balloon tomorrow and say mummy was cross and did something silly. Then move on.

She’s asking if anyone else has had these moments and if she’s scarred her child for life.

I have a couple of moments where I could have been far more mature and chill when parenting my first child. DS finds the stories funny and doesn’t remember. You should be alright!

I have some friends whose parents were bloody awful when we were kids and they still get along fine.