Normally I enjoy going to the park in the evening for a walk, but today it was pretty busy there and I saw children chasing the ducks and geese, hitting them with sticks, taking eggs from their nests and bashing them on the sidewalk. I found it upsetting. I didn't see any parents around keeping an eye on things so took it on myself to intervene. This isn't the first time I've and had to stop kids from destructive behavior there. Where are the parents?Don't they teach kids how to behave? Is a public park the place to let kids run wild? Am I too sensitive to this kind of thing?
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19 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I would have done the same thing, i think it's very important to teach children at a young age to be kind and gentle to animals. My families children that come to my house are gentle and kind to my dog/cat because i have taught them from such a young age.
JazzyFizzle26
Level 2
June 3, 2018
1
Years ago , a study was done among prisoners . One thing that the study brought out , was that many in prison claimed that they were abused as children . Today , many parents are afraid to discipline children , because , if they are reported for abusing their children , the , "Child Protective Services ," will remove the children from the home . Since these amended rules were put in place , there has been a terrible increase in the number of school shootings , and children bullying other children and teachers , as well . And even the schools , seem to be doing little to nothing about correcting in school bullying . Then as adults , they still feel they have the right to commit mass killings , when they get angry . I think this is one experiment which is failing .
Cast1es
Level 9
May 4, 2018
0
I don't know if you are to sensitive or not.
I guess I should say I don't know if WE are too sensitive.
My thought is I have a responsibility to my community and that includes the children. I'm famous in my family for yelling at kids, not my own.
Now get off of my lawn!
phil21
Level 7
May 4, 2018
1
One can never be too sensitive when it comes to the treatment of animals. I would have not tolerated these children doing what you described, but taken a stick myself and chased them away. I can overlook a few things, but not disrespectful treatments of animals. Too many times do I encounter children that are misbehaving. They talk back to their parents or the adult that happens to be with them, in a language even unbecoming to an adult. When I first came to the US, I was astounded how 'free' kids were kept. You don't reprimand, you don't spank .. they must be allowed their expressionism. No thanks. They must be taught respect and discipline, but if the parents don't have have it .. what can I say.
gemini31
Level 4
May 4, 2018
2
Parents refuse to believe their kids act like shits when they aren't around. So yeah, call the police.
LadyAlyxandrea
Level 8
May 4, 2018
2
There was plenty of evidence for the police to have seen if I did - with all the busted eggs lying around
I consider myself in loco parentis when I observe behavior like that. Good for you, Hera Tera.
Spinliesel
Level 9
May 4, 2018
5
If no parents, call the cops! Who let's their kids out of sight in public places?!
AnneWimsey
Level 9
May 4, 2018
2
I'm sure the parents were around somewhere in the crowd. There were events going on at the park - but these kids had wandered away from the crowd where they were absolutely not being watched. I did tell them if I caught them doing it again I would call the park ranger.
You did right. As a school bus driver I see children who have little parental attention, those are the ones who want attention so they act up and make themselves the center of attention.
Mark013
Level 7
May 4, 2018
2
That's the sad thing too. When the parents don't pay attention - they don't realize how much the children have to learn. I just hope the parents are people who would understand the cruelty of the behavior if they did observe it instead of laughing it off. I know too many adults who would have the same mindset as those children
I would have tried to reach the parents. If that doesn’t work, call 911. The kids are engaging in cruelty to animals and mischief, and the parents are neglecting them, exposing them to danger.
ArturoS
Level 6
May 4, 2018
3
I had planned on being there for a while, so I did continue to walk around and watch those children hoping I'd eventually see them return to their parents so maybe I could mention it. Turned out though I never got the opportunity. Good thing is I plan to start walking there every evening I can now that the days are longer, so I will be watching for them
I don't want to live in a world with people who grow up thinking it's okay to harass and abuse defenseless creatures. If the parents aren't doing their jobs--and harassment and abuse are at hand--stepping in is, IMO, absolutely, unquestionably the right thing to do. They need to get that message somehow.
stinkeye_a
Level 8
May 4, 2018
4
As a parent myself I'd be mortified if I caught either of my sons doing something like this. I don't get how any parent could allow this happen. It doesnt matter how busy you are, your kids are your offspring and your responsibility. I would be raving mad were I there and witnessed it. I may have even called police.
You did the right thing in how you handled it. If my kids did this I would be greatful to anyone for stepping in. I'd be embarassed but still thankful. No creature deserves the torment these kids inflicted upon those ducks! There is no excuse of this! Though many parents now a days cannot see fault in their childrens actions and would get mad at whomever points them out.
Terrbeargraphix
Level 4
May 4, 2018
5
I was pretty angry. Thanks to all of you for validating my right to feel that way. Since some of the children were so young I tried to be delicate about it but not saying anything would have been like approval. I couldn't do that
@HeraTera it is hard to get upset at young kids when you know its the outcome of bad parenting or lack of parenting. Its good you kept your cool. My dad was a teacher and took an early retirement after having a heart attack while in work saying "it was not so much the students that were the problem, but the horrible parenting! My heart literally can't take it anymore!" My mother also gave up working as a university professor saying how once she started having issues with parents contacting her upset over grades she was done! My parents only ever contacted my school to turn me in for cutting class when my mom caught me to ask the principal to punish me with a week in boot camp! Best thing she ever did! I learned my lesson! Never did it again!
Little fuckers need a good slap
LeighShelton
Level 8
May 4, 2018
1
A little nip from the geese would work.
@Spinliesel The smaller children had the chicks and the older ones were beating off the adult geese with sticks. The poor parent birds were trying their best to intervene. It was all the activity and squawking of the geese that caught my attention to it
@ARealLifeSheldon I think that was an important issue too. I didn't want the smaller children growing up not realizing how damaging the behavior can be. Just holding a chick seems harmless but it isn't. Raiding nests and throwing eggs on the other hand - that really shows some worrisome behavior in my mind
@HeraTera stop the hand and spoil the child
He'll no you aren't being to sensitive. Now if they were swans...
Slartibartfast
Level 5
May 3, 2018
4
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