I actually wrote in to a magazine after reading a family friendly places article and they posted my comment re: the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
If my nieces and nephew have a say in the program at my funeral, it will probably say:
Aunt Janine, she took us to the zoo and did a lot of crafts with us.
Needless to say, we spend a lot of time at the zoo. My almost 9 year old, can give you directions if you are lost and laughs at those walking around with maps. He also yells sissy train at the train riders but that's another story...
I do not know if it's because I am educated, the daughter of educated parents, who actually spent time with me and taught me, always had a love of reading, or just actually have common sense, but the things you can over hear at the zoo can make you worry for the future, want to slap someone in the back of the head ala Gibbs from NCIS, and shake your head.
Here is a sampling:
Child: Mom, what do you call a female lion? Mom: a tiger.
for the record: this would be a lioness.
Mom at Potbelly Seahorses: that must be the male because his belly is so big. The males deliver the babies.
for the record: the males don't deliver the babies, they carry the EGGS in their pouch after the female leaves them there. If one actually reads the sign by the potbelly seahorses, one would know this. Literacy is important...
Adult: wow, seahorses are so small, I always thought they were larger.
for the record: seahorses are only large in fairy tales and the potbelly seahorse is a "larger" seahorse. Yes, this exhibit is my nemesis.
Child: why is Mr. Potato head in with the octopus? Adult: maybe it's a baby octopus.
for the record, it stimulates the animals minds to have thinking toys, zoo staff can also learn more re: the animals based on what they do/don't do, and numerous signs and info provided by the zoo will inform guests of this...oh and octopus are very smart.
and let's not forget Earth Day:
I made the mistake of going to the zoo on Earth Day once. Many people explained the crowd being due to opening day. No people, this is not a Tribe game. The Zoo is open every day of the year EXCEPT Christmas and New Years Day.
As if this wasn't enough...
A Boy Scout leader informed me that it's a man's duty to camp and put up a tent and us women folk should stay clear. Really...because I can not only put up a tent in record time, I can make you pitch one too. Move out of my way idiot. Before I show you how good I am with a hunting riffle. Please note I don't believe in hunting as sport. *you are free to your own opinion*.
I am all about freedom of speech, I support people speaking their minds even if I don't agree (heck half my family has political views I don't necessarily agree with)... BUT don't shove propaganda in my child's hand when you think I didn't notice (oh I noticed) especially when it is full of graphic images.
Needless to say, I no longer go to the zoo on "Opening Day". I save that for sporting seasons.
Welcome Summer!
