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Original poster

Did something really mean and now feel terrible

158 replies

Anniebows · 08/12/2024 20:06

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

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PrincessofWells · 08/12/2024 23:03

Spacedoody · 08/12/2024 23:01

I've seen a horse die from colic, they are in agonising pain, in much the same way a cow goat or sheep would be. It's horrible and utterly avoidable. I'm so sorry for you that you feel your comment is in any way appropriate. Perhaps you could reflect on things more before you hit the post button with offensive comments.

No, I'm fine thanks.

Jesus wept 🙄

OP clearly did something in the heat of the moment. Just like the poster who said they ripped their child's notebook. These aren't bad mothers, they had a split second of overwhelming upset. This is Mumsnet and she should expect a bit of fucking solidarity and actual useful advice on how to move forward from making a mistake in the moment.

Instead she's getting lectured that she might kill a horse.

I hope all of you are vegan, cycle everywhere, and have never bought a balloon in your life you absolute sanctimonious bunch of lecturing harpies.

I can confirm I am vegan and use an electric bike . . .. I'm afraid I can't confirm when I gave up balloons but I think it was around 1996.

Candy24 · 08/12/2024 23:04

PrincessofWells · 08/12/2024 22:54

I've seen a horse die from colic, they are in agonising pain, in much the same way a cow goat or sheep would be. It's horrible and utterly avoidable. I'm so sorry for you that you feel your comment is in any way appropriate. Perhaps you could reflect on things more before you hit the post button with offensive comments.

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I own horses and cows they would be hard pushed to eat a balloon. They wouldn't eat a plastic bag in the paddock either. They might sniff it. But a balloon unless it is covered in molasses.

Ive seen a horse die of colic and honestly it was devasting they tend to get that from eating quickly and bad food.

Mummy2a2yearold · 08/12/2024 23:04

As someone else said, I think buying him a new balloon is a really good idea. I bet he'd love it

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Spacedoody · 08/12/2024 23:05

@Balloonhearts

👏🏻 spectacular. Nice that you've slid that information in there to excuse calling someone a cunt.

Thankfully plenty of posters have the sense to know that I'm not laughing at some random horse dying 🙄, but at the sheer gall of someone sticking the boot in to OP when she's looking for sympathy and advice.

It's great you all care so much about horses. Spare a bit of compassion for the OP too.

Candy24 · 08/12/2024 23:05

Mummy2a2yearold · 08/12/2024 23:04

As someone else said, I think buying him a new balloon is a really good idea. I bet he'd love it

think of the animals.......

sogsandogs · 08/12/2024 23:08

Balloon gas is a by product of medical grade helium - the helium in balloons is not robbing anyone of a future MRI

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:08

Yes pointing out that letting go of a balloon is bad for animals/the environment is necessary because despite how much this is already publicised, people are still doing it, along with just dropping their litter in the street which is just as bad.

Balloonhearts · 08/12/2024 23:11

Spacedoody · 08/12/2024 23:05

@Balloonhearts

👏🏻 spectacular. Nice that you've slid that information in there to excuse calling someone a cunt.

Thankfully plenty of posters have the sense to know that I'm not laughing at some random horse dying 🙄, but at the sheer gall of someone sticking the boot in to OP when she's looking for sympathy and advice.

It's great you all care so much about horses. Spare a bit of compassion for the OP too.

You commented on the name, I corrected you. It's your problem you made yourself look stupid.

And yes, let's all have more compassion for a mum who littered out of frustration than for the farmer who lost their livestock because of said littering. But let's be clear, my issue is with you and your comment mocking another poster, not the OP. Like all bullies, you said something bitchy and now you're embarrassed because people are calling you out. That's what is really funny.

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:12

@Spacedoody

We are not sticking the boot in. OP has actually learnt some useful information - that letting helium balloons is bad for environment. Some people who read this thread may also be more responsible when it comes to what they do with their litter.

SnoopySantaPaws · 08/12/2024 23:13

Anniebows · 08/12/2024 20:14

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

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Yes sadly a LOT of farm animals, pets & wildlife/sea creatures die from swallowing dead ballon's, also die from getting caught up in them tangled in trees etc.

you learn something every day? This was yours to learn 👍🏻

im not going to sugar coat this, but what you did with DS's balloon was really horrible. It wasn't 'a lesson', it wasn't a consequence of his behaviour it was just spiteful & mean. He won't learn a good lesson about behaviour from it, he'll just learn mummy can be mean & he can't trust you.

inhave no problem with telling off or punishing for bad behaviour, but it needs to be something that's a natural consequence or a reasonable known punishment. It cannot be something spiteful& mean if you want him to learn from it.

i wouldn't apologise again though & I wouldn't comment on how naughty he was. Just leave it now, tomorrow is a new day.

just learn from how shit that this has made you feel (because you do know it WAS shit).

just try to have some nice time with him tomorrow (and don't do things like that again)

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:14

@Candy24

My friend's pet goat died after eating a plastic back that some ignoramus threw into his field. He was a young goat and a rare breed on top of that. Friend was devastated. She loved him.

SnoopySantaPaws · 08/12/2024 23:14

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:12

@Spacedoody

We are not sticking the boot in. OP has actually learnt some useful information - that letting helium balloons is bad for environment. Some people who read this thread may also be more responsible when it comes to what they do with their litter.

ANY balloons

Spacedoody · 08/12/2024 23:14

now you're embarrassed because people are calling you out

😂😂😂

OP, buy him another balloon and release it together in memory of the old one 🎈

HooMoo · 08/12/2024 23:20

MrsPrueHolywood · 08/12/2024 20:09

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.

My first thought too. So many animals are harmed every year by balloons being released.

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:21

@Balloonhearts

Sorry for your loss. And that another poster has made a decision to be so vile about it.

Shiningout · 08/12/2024 23:21

Op, I think that was quite mean tbh and I'd get him another one tomorrow.

As for the rest of the thread.. I'm quite speechless for once. 😶😶😶😶😶😶😶 What the hell is going on on here tonight threads going from 1-100 instantly!!

tothelefttotheleft · 08/12/2024 23:22

@op

Nobody is a perfect parent. You lost your temper. You apologised. Be kind to yourself. Parenting is a marathon not a sprint.

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:24

@Shiningout

People who own livestock or work with wild animals get very frustrated with littering. The consequences can be devastating and there is no excuse to not know any better.

Imjustlikeyou2 · 08/12/2024 23:28

Oooo I’d feel terrible too OP. Get down the card shop tomorrow and buy him a big balloon of his favourite character ready for after school - it’s the only way to squash the guilt! I don’t think the card factory will be donating their unused helium canisters to the NHS either way so you’re not harming anyone… 🙄

fluffyblanky · 08/12/2024 23:29

OP - we all have those moments. Don't worry.

As for the balloons and wildlife. I think the derail of the thread is unnecessary. No one wants to hurt animals and the OP doesn't need a lecture.

I assume you are all vegetarian?

Shiningout · 08/12/2024 23:30

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:24

@Shiningout

People who own livestock or work with wild animals get very frustrated with littering. The consequences can be devastating and there is no excuse to not know any better.

I do actually totally understand that and I don't think it should be minimised. However I don't think a pile on is needed with hundreds of comments saying the same thing. I am sure the op now knows not to do it again, it's a bit surprising she didn't know before as I assumed it was common knowledge but the fact is she says she didn't.

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:34

@fluffyblanky

No one wants to hurt animals and yet this country has a massive littering problem. So no, I don't think we can afford to not point out the dangers of this in case we hurt someone's feelings. Tbh, it is not OP that we are piling on. It's the people who have come on here laughing like it is all some big joke.

Candy24 · 08/12/2024 23:35

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:14

@Candy24

My friend's pet goat died after eating a plastic back that some ignoramus threw into his field. He was a young goat and a rare breed on top of that. Friend was devastated. She loved him.

goats eat anything.

Prescottdanni123 · 08/12/2024 23:37

@Candy24

You were the one who was making out that no animal would eat a balloon. So what if goats eat anything? That makes it OK to throw rubbish in their field?

Plus just because your animals wouldn't eat plastic doesn't mean no animals would.

Balloonhearts · 08/12/2024 23:50

Candy24 · 08/12/2024 23:35

goats eat anything.

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Literally anything. They're like compactors on legs.