Updated: Aug. 26, 2016
Originally Published: Aug. 25, 2016
A frustrated mom takes to a parenting forum seeking advice on how to address the zoo’s inability to manage their animals’ natural behaviors. Some days, you wake up to disheartening news, but then a friend shares a link to a parenting discussion that just lifts your spirits. The post is simply titled, “Should I complain to the zoo about the monkeys?”
Mumsnet, a popular parenting site in the UK, often serves as a hub for humorous and relatable parenting tales. This particular mom is having a tough time and wonders if she should reach out to the zoo.
“I took my son, Jamie, to the zoo yesterday. After years of teaching him that private play is best, I was horrified to see some monkeys engaging in very public displays,” she shares. “Is it unreasonable to ask the zoo to put up a warning for parents?”
First off, AIBU stands for “am I being unreasonable,” just in case you’re not fluent in parenting forum slang. And DS2 means “dear son 2,” because who has time to type out “my second child”?
After all her efforts to instill a sense of privacy regarding personal behavior, imagine her shock when the monkeys decided to flaunt their antics right in front of her child! “Half the male primates were rubbing against tree branches, and one was right against the glass, having a good old time,” she laments. How do you even explain that to a child? I mean, when my kids saw bats in a rather intimate moment at a museum, I just pointed and said those bats really liked their privacy.
The mom continues her story, recounting how as soon as they entered the reptile area, they were greeted by two tortoises ‘getting it on.’ Fair warning: the sounds tortoises make during these encounters can be rather unsettling.
After looking into this topic, it seems this isn’t an isolated incident; many parents have found themselves in similar situations at the zoo. While I’m usually too amused by the animals to turn it into a teachable moment, I understand her concern. As for putting a sign up, I’d rather explain the natural behaviors of animals than read a sign that says “WARNING: THESE ANIMALS MAY ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY.”
It’s quite possible this mom was just aiming for a laugh, and honestly, we’re here for it!
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In summary, a mom on a parenting forum humorously questions the zoo’s control over animal behavior, expressing her frustration over the unintended teaching moments her son experienced. While she considers whether to voice her concerns to the zoo, others relate to the amusing yet awkward situations that often arise during family outings.