Have you ever been too cross to child mind?

[jadavi]

I have!! Today for the first time in my two plus years of cming.
I left two mindees (7 and 5) outside in the garden with water pumps and buckets to play and clean the garden equipment. The hens were having their free range run around. (We talk a lot about being caring and nice to animals)
I came back to find they had terrorised the hens with squirting and hounded them back to their coop where they were huddled upstairs in the enclosed corner having their bedding soaked and really scared. They were squirting thru the flap.
I was horrified they could do something so mean.
I flipped a lid and rang mum who prescribed every punishment she could think of (I don't really go in for punishment)
I found I didn't want to be near them and was furious all afternoon.
Luckily my assistant could be with them and let me be with the others.
Have you ever had that?
Too angry literally to work with them?
What to do? !!

[Maza]

Oh no! Poor hens. At least they had you to save them. That is really naughty of them and they should have known better. I am pleased the parents supported you. Do you think the children were sorry?

[Zoomie]

I have one child that regularly winds me up big time. I try not to shout, but I know I end up doing so when this child is in a mood.

Only 6 more days and then they are gone

[doris127]

Yes - when a 4 year old walked over to my dog who was fast asleep on his bed and kicked him in the head! Thankfully he was picked up 5 minutes later and his mum was horrified. I was seething for hours! Just as well I have the most laid back dog in the world!
Hope your hens have recovered.

[funemnx]

Oh poor hens and poor you! Yes I have been very angry on occasion - with the older children who should know better. I have got them all in the car a gone for a long drive until I felt better....

[Daisy De]

I think my decision would depend on whether this was a one off incident and whether they were sorry. Certainly cruelty like that would not be acceptable in my house so I understand how angry you are.

[Louise B]

I have a 6 year old who left my rabbit cage open on purpose, with 5 baby rabbits inside!! She was banned from going into the garden on her own.

[supermumy]

As above would depend on if it happened before or if they just got out of control being left alone for while
I would of Deffo done a time out and loss of a good activity and maybe a topic of cruelty to Animals etc is needed
I wouldn't of called parent though but that's me

[jadavi]

Thanks guys.

It was really hard to see if they were sorry. They kept trying to blame each other and then giggling when they looked at each other (I think kids do when they are nervous if they are being soundly told off) hard to tell if parents are really supporting me from the heart or just cos I am so crossp

[jadavi]

The boy regularly kills insects and doesn't understand why he shouldn't.
He said to my assistant. 'Its not like i was punching someone'
she replied 'this is just as bad.'

[AliceK]

I have it in one of my policies that deliberate cruelty towards any of my pets is grounds for instant termination of contract. In this instance I would be reminding parents of this policy so hopefully they would make it so clear to their children that there must never ever be any repeat or else the contract would be terminated immediately. I would be so so cross.
Hope your hens are okay now.
xxxx

[jadavi]

I called parent cos i wanted to deal with it as she would so she could carry it on at home. Her way is naughty step no treats etc. I also called her for advice on how to speak to them as i have never been so upset with children before (including my grown up four)

[jadavi]

I will add that to my policy. Good idea.
I told them they would not be returning if anything happened again like this.

[jadavi]

I made the kids clean out the mucky wet straw in the coop. It grossed them out.
I just noticed their food was wet - which the hens won't eat . I texted the mum saying the hens had gone hungry all day because of what they did. She read it to them and they have been alone in their rooms to think about what they did.
My dd just told me the boy said 'well they're not my hens' she said well would you like it if I did that to your dog or cat
He answered 'well if you did I'll just come and do it back to you ....'
Where do you start?

[charlottenash]

Do u think a 5 and a 7 year old know that chasing hens is cruel?

I clearly remember a time visiting my family on a farm and I chased the chickens with my cousins down to a road. I thought it was fun, never crossed my mind how evil it was! Must have been about 6 to remember it so clearly,

A little education on the matter now this has happened and then it shouldn't happen again.

[CLL]

To them maybe it was just like chasing each other with water guns. I am sure they did not spend time plotting how to be cruel and sadistic to animals. It sounds like really thoughtless behaviour not malicious intent. I wouldn't have called parents at work and then text again later. I think once you have dealt with the situation that should be it and parents should not really be carrying on the punishment at home.

[jackie 7]

I am not sure I can answer this. I would be do do cross. Children can be so cruel to each other. Very often we look at their ages not their emotional age. Some children are more aware than others. They knew not to hurt the chickens. I am sure that they will never ever be allowed outside alone. Oh yes cleaning out smelly straw was very good for them.

[beachgirl29]

making them clean up was a good way to show there is a follow up to there actions and contacting mum. Don't know what else to say but i would of felt the same as you and be very angry indeed.

I recommend some wine for yourself now and hopefully the weekend off??

poor hens hope there ok? Maybe do a week of caring for animals theme! rspca trip out??

[FussyElmo]

Mmm my little boy ran after my chickens with a water pistol - exactly like he does with the dogs who really enjoy it.

At no point did he think he was harming the chicken he genuinely thought he was playing with them.

I didn't punish him I just spoke to him about scaring them and hes not done it since.

I also think that the mum shouldn't be punishing him at home - the incident happened at yours you were cross your assistant spoke to them and you made them clean it up. But that's my opinion

[Ripeberry]

Water guns, kids and animasl. It's always going to cause trouble. At least they are not doing what the kids do around here. Ten year olds with airguns taking pot shots at any bird they see. But then that's the countryside for you. Hopefully they won't do it again