The circus is in town :(

soooo my parents want to take ds to the circus :( I am totallly against circuses that contain animals and I originally said no to them taking ds.

Now that I have had time to think about it, am I being unreasonable to not at least let ds experience the circus just once? Do you think I should let him go? I don't know what to do, I mean its something I don't believe in, but should I let that affect ds. DS does know the circus is in town, he seen the tent the other day and wanted to go.

What would you do?

Mods, feel free to move if this doesn't belong here.. had no idea where to post this question ;)

Every Christmas holidays there is one here and then a couple of times during the year, the kids always ask and I always say no.

I don't like them for a bazillion reasons and I explain that to the kids, yes they are disappoint and yes they ask every time they see one but on this I'm sticking to my guns.

I also don't think your being mean or cruel.

Not a big fan of the circus here either. I saw a couplpe when I was a child and even then I thought it was cruel to keep the animals caged up and performing.

Every year we have a big one that comes to town and I have no interest in taking DD...ever. But thats just my oppinion.

Can you suggest your parents take ds somewhere else nice that doesnt conflict with your morals?
I can understand your parents wanting to take ds somewhere new and exciting as a 'treat', so maybe don't deprive them of the experience, just change the focus to something that you agree with?

Our kids have never gone to a circus either - they'd probably love to go if I asked them, but I dont like them either. Maybe you could get them to take him to the zoo instead? Or even an agricultural show if they want that carnival type atmosphere? I'm not sure where you live, but it wont be long and it will be Easter and the Sydney Royal Easter Show will be on.

I'm the same. I have never been to a circus and I refuse to take my kids.

I don't think you're being mean. Could you suggest they take him somewhere else?

I know this conundrum well!

There were two circuses in town mid-last year. Both had animals. DD really wanted to go. But I explained that those circues were not particularly good ones, and it wouldn't be long before a good ones comes to town. I am hoping the flying circus or cirque de sol comes (I think this year cirque de sol is). That would be fun.

And as a PP said - there are often wonderful kid events on that they can go to instead - kids theatre, zoo, aquarium, even an outing to the great outdoors...

you are not at all mean.

thanks for your replies ladies. We live in a small town so there is nothing here to take him to. They usually take him to the indoor playground thingy, so I might suggest they go there instead :)
The other predicament is, they are taking my niece to the circus and they were going to take ds at the same time. However I really thought my sister would say no to them taking her dd as she is against the circus with animals as well. her dd is very likely to tell my ds all about the circus. I guess I will just have to deal with his disapointment when it happens :) Thanks again, its good to hear i'm not the only one against the circus with animals and not being horrible by not allowing him to go :)

They dont sit well with me either...there has been one on our main road for a few weeks and it looks all pretty etc and DS1 keeps asking to go but I have to keep saying no as I dont agree with them. If this is your stance then explain to them why and maybe they can go somewhere else?

your kids your call

simple

if you're going to raise your kids with the belief system that you have, you can't compromise that and still stay true to yourself. it may not be something they agree with, but it is your stance, and agreement doesn't come into it - they need to respect that!

yeah its not my parents I was worried about. They totally understand why i don't want him to go.. I was just thinking maybe I was being horrible not letting ds go.. but I am standing by my beliefs and he won't be going :)

I guess it depends on whether you want your children to have the same views as you, or if you want them to come to their own decision.

Personally, I would allow him to go, especially considering his cousin will be going, and then after the show sit down and have a conversation about why you don't like the circus etc. I'd give him the chance to experience the circus and come to his own decision.

I actually tell my kids that I don't want them to go to the circus or the regular zoo because the animals are sad and don't like to be kept in cages. They understand this, even at a young age, and are happier not to go. They don't know what they are missing anyway. So stick to your guns, your son will understand, and when he is older if he wants to pay for himself to go to the circus so he has experienced it once in his life then he is free to do so.