https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:31:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413834 Fri, 08 Jan 2016 11:02:01 +0000 alphagam84 2413834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't go either as I don't believe in how the animals are treated. I'd try to meet them after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413413 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 20:56:40 +0000 Madison43 2413413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh. It's hard because this is the first group activity that's been suggested and historically, it's been hard to find activities that are age appropriate for everyone because my LOs are 5-plus years younger than all their cousins. Maybe I'll just have my husband take her and meet them after for dinner. Not sure that's the best example for my daughter but it might be the best compromise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413352 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:55:35 +0000 Synchronicity 2413352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am very anti-circus, so I wouldn't go, but I'd make an effort to meet up before or after! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413303 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:12:58 +0000 wheres_c 2413303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. I could not in good faith support it, even if it was free and it was with family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413298 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:09:00 +0000 Meowkers 2413298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! That's a hard no for me. Although when I told my mom she thought I was crazy and reminded me what a great time I had at the circus as a child. However, as an adult who knows how those animals are treated, I could never support that sort of thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413287 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 19:04:13 +0000 catomd00 2413287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: what's your thoughts on the zoo certification thing? I'm not that well educated on it so just thought I'd ask maybe you knew more about it. Are they any better than the ones who aren't accredited or certified? I forget which organization does it... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413282 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 18:59:05 +0000 mauxie 2413282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't go... Just a personal choice but no circus or Seaworld for us. I did go as a kid and have fond memories but don't necessarily want my LOs to attend.... the world is changing :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413188 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:42:27 +0000 MoonMoon 2413188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. We draw the line at circuses, zoos/petting zoos, and SeaWorld type places. I don't want LO to grow up thinking of animals as there for his entertainment. The awkward thing is we have friends who keep asking us to go to the zoo, though we've politely and firmly declined every single time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413169 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:29:07 +0000 autumnlove 2413169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went over the summer and had a good time. I think it was Ringlings final tour with elephants? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413166 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:27:18 +0000 Greentea 2413166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I probably would, she is young and it is a new experience, though I wouldn't choose that activity personally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2413153 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:15:22 +0000 MRSJX3 2413153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't go. Even if they don't use elephants anymore, the rest of the animals are likely abused. I know my husband thinks I'm nuts but I draw a hard line with this stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412870 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:26:45 +0000 Autumnmama79 2412870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its a tough call whether you will attend or not but I certainly wouldn't be meeting up with the cousins right after!! I guarantee your LO will feel left out :bummed: </p> <p>If you do feel the need to decline, when doing so I would be ready with another fun plan/activity/event for all the cousins to enjoy together next month! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412866 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:25:08 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2412866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you feel on the fence about it, don't go! We went to a traditional circus recently and felt terrible about it afterwards. I don't know what we were thinking, we are huge animal lovers! All I can do now is say that I would never bring my son to one. If he was old enough to ask me, I would consider letting him go with family as a learning moment after explaining to him why I wouldn't go with him. Possibly. Hopefully won't be an issue by the time he is old enough to ask! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412817 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 14:03:17 +0000 hummusgirl 2412817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd like to think I wouldn't go, but I'm also not a fan of zoos and LO has been to those a few times when someone else has initiated. In a perfect world, I'd say no and make a point to plan the next activity for all the cousins. I wouldn't even try to meet up before/after because it would make your family's absence at the circus even more conspicuous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412802 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:53:08 +0000 PawPrints 2412802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ouch that is tough. I adored the circus as a kid but knowing about the animal abuse has made it an absolute no-go for me now. There are some circuses that are humans-only, any possibility of one of those? Otherwise, yeah sadly I'd do something else fun with LO. At least she's young enough that she hopefully won't feel too socially excluded from missing it.</p> <p>[ETA] Things are getting better though! <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/150916-ringling-circus-elephants-florida-center/" rel="nofollow">http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/150916-ringling-circus-elephants-florida-center/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412797 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:48:15 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2412797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have an objection to the circus, so I would ditto @MaryM: what suggested. I'd try to meet up with them immediately following the circus. And I'd take LO to do something fun right before so she doesn't feel super left out by hearing all the cool circus stories. She'll have some fun stories of her own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412796 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:48:13 +0000 Alivoo01 2412796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd let LO go and experience it. If it makes you uncomfortable, perhaps another adult can watch her during the show and you meet them up afterwards? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412794 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:46:57 +0000 yoursilverlining 2412794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like @MaryM's idea about meeting up before or after. Circuses with animals are a no-go for us, regardless of the reason for attendance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412784 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:40:45 +0000 HLK208 2412784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a fan of the circus but if it were me, I would go only because we were invited and for LO to experience something with the cousins </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412783 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:40:31 +0000 MaryM 2412783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you maybe offer to meet them before or after for lunch or ice cream or something so that your LO isn't missing out on the entire experience?</p> <p>Or maybe say the circus isn't your cup of tea, but offer to plan another animal free outing to something fun at another time (maybe if you have a concrete show in mind it will show you're willing to participate in fun, just not this one thing they think is fun but you don't agree with) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412779 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:38:48 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2412779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if going part of a group or in our case someone gives us tickets we go along. But I wouldn't actually seek out tickets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412778 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:38:28 +0000 catomd00 2412778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We dont do the circus because of the treatment of the animals, so I'd decline or suggest a different activity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-the-circus#post-2412776 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:37:08 +0000 Madison43 2412776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My SIL is taking a group of LO's cousins to the circus and wants me to bring LO1 (she'll be 2.5 at the time). We are making an active effort to get the cousins together more, but I find the idea of an animal based circus really awful and swore I'd never go. Nobody will be mad if say no although I'm sure they'll side eye me when I'm all "elephants cry real tears." But I still feel guilty saying no because I don't want LO to miss a fun (for her) outing with her extended family. My husband - it's his side of the fan - has no opinion. </p> <p>How do you guys feel about the circus? Have you been? Am I am denying LO a fun trip unnecessarily? </p>