ladybug at the playground

[vegiemom]

So, we're at the playground today and there's a group of girls that Baylor is trailing. One of them has a few ladybugs in her hand and she's showing them off and they're carrying them around, etc.

It's time for them to go. The mothers are gathering their stuff, etc. One of the little girls says to the lady-bug carrying girl "you have to let it go now or it will die". The little girl w/ bug refuses and squeezes her fist shut. Then another little girl also tries to explain to her that she has to let the bug go or it will die.

One of the mothers breaks them up and says "it doesn't matter if it dies leave Mel alone and let her have her bug. It's her decision to let it go or not." Then the mother walks away. Well, the one little girl that started the "free the bug" campaign physically removes the bug from the smaller girls hand and lets it go. The little girl FREAKS and then the bug-freer gets in trouble and gets a spank to the butt for doing what she did.

I was a little taken aback by the scene (as was Baylor - who cannot stand to see someone else cry). I really would have gone along with the child who wanted to save the bug from a sure death.

What would you have done?
This seemed like a vegetarian topic, right?

[MsRuthieB]

Nope. Seems like an a/r topic to me (not all vegetarians are a/r folks). I wouldn't have done anything (I know I'll get flamed for this but oh well). I don't mess with others kids and what they are doing if they aren't going to hurt themselves or another kid if a parent is standing there. I don't make it my business.

[Music Girl]

Given the chance, I'd have winked at the spanked bug-liberator and tell her that if I were her, I'd have done the very same thing.

About the girl who was being selfish and wouldn't let the bug go - I'd probably have told her mom that I suspect the bug would have a quite different opinion than she does, if the poor squished thing could talk.

Sorry you had to deal with that.
I'd be upset, too.

[vegiemom]

Nope. Seems like an a/r topic to me (not all vegetarians are a/r folks). I wouldn't have done anything (I know I'll get flamed for this but oh well). I don't mess with others kids and what they are doing if they aren't going to hurt themselves or another kid if a parent is standing there. I don't make it my business.

**I was just noting that I would not have handled it that way. I guess that you're right- it IS an AR thing... I forget that not all vegetarians care about the animals?!?!

Thanks for your opinion

[vegiemom]

yah, I did tell the little girl that I would have done the same thing. The bug-thief was very young (maybe 2 1/2) so she really had no clue what she was doing! :)

[Music Girl]

Good for you! I'll bet that little girl appreciated hearing your words, especially after getting in trouble for being compassionate toward the bug.

As far as the other girl, it wasn't her issue - it was her mother's fault for not taking the opportunity to talk with her daughter about being kind to animals....2 years old is a wonderful age to begin to learn about compassion, too bad her mom missed a great chance to teach her child about kindness and mercy.

[rincaro]

I forget that not all vegetarians care about the animals?!?!


Most vegetarians do care about animals. Many vegetarians however, are not into animal rights so to speak. The two are not mutually exclusive. :D

[Wolfie]

Nope. Seems like an a/r topic to me (not all vegetarians are a/r folks). I wouldn't have done anything (I know I'll get flamed for this but oh well). I don't mess with others kids and what they are doing if they aren't going to hurt themselves or another kid if a parent is standing there. I don't make it my business.

What if they're kicking a puppy?

I'd have told the little bug freer good job too and made sure the parents heard it. Maybe it'd sink into their thick skulls.

I face a similar issue with my nephew. I try to convince him it's a good thing to be nice to the bugs, frogs and toads he tortures which is hard to do since all he hears is "It's just a bug (or frog or toad) from mom and dad. :down:

[frenchie]

I rarely kill bugs....ants that invade my home in overwhelming amounts get the shaft.......sorry homies! I was always the child that protected bugs from being squashed, cried to see animals being hurt on TV shows....heck, I still do even though I now know it's just acting. I teach my son by example to be gentle to animals, and to appreciate the beauty in bugs. I'm 29 and bugs still fascinate me. I would NEVER spank my child for liberating a bug from being squashed or killed.....that's just a lame ass reason to punish a child.

[kpickell]

Kicking a puppy, big deal.
Carrying a ladybug, not a big deal.
to me