the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

DS just saw the "Big Apple Circus" commercial and ran to the TV and wants to go to it.

I never had issues with the circus until reading up on stuff, but I don't judge people for going, because at the end of the day, we all make choices for ourselves.

What do you do when your child wants to do or see something you don't feel comfy with? And they aren't old enough to understand your reasonings?

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

I'm not "there" yet but I plan to default to my mum's standard response: "BECAUSE I SAID SO."

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

what's the drama about going to the circus??? (new mommy here)

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

I know the good AND bad and understand both sides. Fine, dandy. BUT, if it's going to make the kid happy, go. And honestly I don't remember how old your dd is but I doubt she is going to "get" the abuse side of it, and or care about it. Jmho.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Posted by Linda1003

what's the drama about going to the circus??? (new mommy here)

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Posted by Linda1003

what's the drama about going to the circus??? (new mommy here)

Message edited 11/5/2010 3:18:27 PM.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Posted by TnJ2007

Posted by Linda1003

what's the drama about going to the circus??? (new mommy here)

i was wondering the same thing.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

I took him to the circus. I think its a childs right of passage and frankly, I dont know how much of the maltreatment is truth and how my is animal rights group hype.

Either way, Eddie has been to the circus twice.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

ahhhhh got it. thanks ladies...I vote....go to the circus!!! Sit near an exit incase of animal stampead!

ETA: Im against Disney b/c they portray and unrealistic sterotype of men! Prince charming my a$$

Message edited 11/5/2010 3:20:43 PM.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

For my own personal reasons DS will never go to the circus and when he asks one day I will explain to him why mommy and daddy dont like the circus.
As for anything else depending on what it is I would probably hope that he forgets about it and if he doesnt than I will explain with in reason why.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

I think every kid who likes the circus should be allowed to go see it at least once.

This is magical for a child.

I would pick the "best" circus where you know they have $$$ and/or they treat their animals better.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

I will say this though...I always LOVE those blow-up toys on a stick that they sell at circuses!!!!

I fondly remember a hot pink guitar I had once. Loved it.

Message edited 11/5/2010 3:25:32 PM.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

We went to Ringling Brothers.

We went to the pre-show where they explained about the refuge that they created for animals, etc. and as great as the show was & as much as my kids enjoyed it, it really bothered me to see elephants standing on each other's backs & the lions & tigers doing what I didn't feel was natural.

I think going forward, I'll stick to Cirque du Soleil

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

I don't know how I'll feel about taking DS to the circus. He's only 1, so it's not an issue right now.

(The first time I went to the circus was on class trip in the 3rd grade...Odd that I remember that.)


But I've already fallen victim to doing things that I wouldn't normally do to make my son happy, like buying a blow up Christmas Mickey lawn figurine. (How's that for avoiding drama! )

Message edited 11/5/2010 3:42:34 PM.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

we've taken ds to the big apple circus twice. there actually aren't a lot of animals in the show. a horse or two, and some dogs that were trained and rescued from the streets. its more performers and clowns than anything. we've always really enjoyed it.

now ringling brothers....i will never go to that again. we were sitting front row this past march when they were at nassau coliseum, and the animals just looked sick! (like ill sick) they just did not look healthy, and it did bother me seeing them forced to run around like that.

big apple on the other hand, we were also close, and all the animals looked healthy and good.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

I don't see anything appealing about the circus. There is nothing natural about elephants & tigers doing tricks...and there is nothing natural about how they're 'trained' to do said tricks. I also think the only propaganda floating around the circus is perpetuated by the circus and not animal rights activists.

If my daughter wants to see animals, I will take her to an animal sanctuary...

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Took AJ to the shiner circus and had a blast.

I say go if it makes her happy but educate and take her to a zoo, aquarium too (balance, if that makes sense?)

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

Posted by speakthetruth

Posted by CaMacho

Posted by speakthetruth

plus, that whole fear of animals getting resentful and stampeding

That's what i'm afraid of.

On my way to work today they had the Cole Bros. huge circus tent up (i'm in FL) and thought for a minute how much DD would love to see all the animals. I even looked it up online and it's in our area this weekend only... but I just don't know.

glad i'm not the only one!!
it's so weird, because I'm so fascinated by people in Spain who run with/from the bulls, but it would horrify me. I literally have had nightmares about bulls chasing me.

Not that bulls are at the circus, but the idea of animals gone wild freaks me out to NO END.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

DH hates that I have a zoo membership, there is no way circus is in Josh's future.

He asks and I say that would be nice to go but I don't think we can make it this time.
He really just sees the commericals and really wants to see the circus train go through our town.

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent

SD is 7...if she wants to go somewhere I don't feel comfortable with, I tell her why in kid terms.

Luckily for me, I don't have to give any animal mistreatment reasons for the circus...I am scared poopless of clowns so there's no way I'm taking any kid of mine to a place that's crawling with them!

Re: the great circus debate - but this post has drama repellent