Parent says her kid isn't allowed to come over and that she would kill snake

Thanks Speedy. I will consider depending on how this all unfolds. I will definitely keep everyone up to date...
Im glad my concerns were validated here.

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Originally Posted by mamaofporter

Thanks Speedy. I will consider depending on how this all unfolds. I will definitely keep everyone up to date...
Im glad my concerns were validated here.

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They are absolutely validated, I know by now my post is just going to sound like a broken record but i'll toss my support vote in the pot as well. The other mother in question demonstrated completely inappropriate and, although i'm not Canadian i'd still assume, illegal behavior that can easily be presented as harassing and threatening. Start with the principle and work your way up from there; i'd suggest you keep moving up even if the principle complies. This woman needs to know that she made a serious statement that should not be blown off. No need to start fights, and no need to cause dissension between your son and his friend, but if that behavior was allowed to pass with impunity, who's to say something worse won't happen down the road to someone else. The peace bond thing sounds like it would be nothing but beneficial, and I'd imagine you already plan on talking to your son and letting him know this isn't a fight or to be mean (not sure of his age) so that he doesn't feel he needs to argue or have issues with his friend. I hope you post your progress, and I hope to see common sense and decency win over ignorance in this case to help both the human and herp world. I'm sure everyone, in this thread at least, would back your petition for any legal action that forced the other woman to give this legitimate thought. Best of luck to you.

Is there ANY way to change her mind?
Her response, while completely inappropriate and borderline criminal was obviuosly based on fear and ignorance.
And while I know spending an hour at Starbucks, sharing a pumpkin spiced soy latte, talking about how golden retrievers bite more children than snakes won't change her mind, it may initiate some self reflection and soften her over time. Who knows, she may come around.

BTW, I recommend Starbucks because they are CCW friendly. ;)

First, I would indeed talk to the superintendent about one of his/her employees getting involved with private matters. It doesn't matter if you had a disagreement about what the weather would be like tomorrow, if the teacher chastises you for your part in a private matter (especially if they allude that the other parent spends more time with the class, and therefore must be right) then they have overstepped their professional bounds. (by the by, if you absolutely have to talk about what the disagreement was about, I recommend saying "my pet" instead of "my snake")

Regarding the comments she made about snapping a snakes neck, being civil is usually the way to go. Let this woman know that your snakes are important to you, and that her comments are hurtful and rude. You wouldn't threaten to kick someones dog? To smash their private belongings? It isn't appropriate to threaten someones property, and this woman seems to need to be reminded of that (weird, yes, but some people don't think of anything scaly as a pet and need to be reminded that they are).

If your kids are friends, try to keep things as polite and civil as possible. What will your son do when his friend comes and says he isn't allowed to talk to him and he has to change classes now? Be calm, even though we all know by now you must be itching to slap this woman.

Slander and defamation of character on the snakes behalf...;)
Cat's attack more people than dogs...I've personally been attacked by 4 cats, 1 dog, and zero snakes...

I can't believe that someone would be so callous towards someones pet. Just because it doesn't fall into the normal conformity of a typical pet, such as a hamster or a guinea pig, does not give this woman the right to bully you like that.

I'm from Canada as well and I'd say pursue it.

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Originally Posted by Wizard

BTW, I recommend Starbucks because they are CCW friendly. ;)

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Love it!! Like the way you think!


Molly & Steve
0.1 normal BP 'Precioucess'
0.1 BCI 'Luna'

I would follow through with this. Above all, stay calm and composed. While education is important, this issue is less about everyone's opinion of snakes and more about other parents creating a hostile learning environment for your son. It's very tempting to use this for our cause, but other people will better relate to your son's pain, not the snakes' (considering the snake is still safely tucked away at home), and more likely to make changes that way.

For the superintendent, tell them how the teacher confronted you over an unfounded rumor one of the other parents told her. Instead of asking you if you had any concerns, she was defensive and unreceptive to your attempts to clarify. Between the original incident with the other parent and the subsequent conversation with the teacher, you feel that your son is being targeted and punished for circumstances outside of his control, and you feel alienated by not only this other parent - but the school system itself. Does this school make a habit of championing the bias of certain parents? Before, one would assume school is a place for education, not a platform for adults to threaten bodily harm to children's pets. There's an uneven power dynamic there that's wildly inappropriate and some could argue it's emotional abuse.

If the school board plays nice, and if you're comfortable with it, talk to the science teachers and offer to bring an ambassador reptile in, in line with one of their curricular units. THERE is your opportunity to help educate the public.

This whole story sounds ridiculous. I can't believe you're dealing with this. If I were you, I'd kick her, the teacher, and any other idiot right in the shin.

I deal with the same crap at my school, and although my teacher does have a snake and educates us, there are still the children who simply just don't like him, and I respect that, but when those children make threats to kill it or throw Otis, it makes me really really mad.