I told my 6 year old daughter about the alligator

[DVCcurious]

After a few days thinking about this I decided to tell my 6 year old daughter about the alligator this morning. I just told her a boy was bitten by an alligator and left it at that.

I have a DD6 and a DS4. We go twice per year. We stay at resorts with beaches, and, most importantly, my kids don't always do what I tell them to do.

I can tell them to stay away from the water, but that doesn't mean they'll take it seriously. Especially at WDW which is more laid-back and less rules-enforcement than at home or school. So I'm hoping I can scare her away from the water.

 

[Funfire240]

We told DD8 and DS6 as well. When we stayed at CBR and when we walked by the water DH told me to keep ourselves between the kids and the water and even then told the kids that no swimming meant don't go in the water. My first thought was he was afraid one of the kids would lean over too far and fall in until he told me to keep an eye on the water as well, reminding me that after all we were still in Florida and it was no different from anywhere else. We talked then with them about the possibility of gators but that was 2 years ago so now we shared this sad story with them so that they can fully understand the dangers.
(Note, I have never heard of an alligator at CBR this was just our precautions)

 

[Mousemommy1]

I mean, we've been telling our girls to stay away from that water since they were 3 and 5. We warn them of alligators and brain eating amoeba, but also we point out how disgusting the water looks. They are 12 and 9 now and have never ventured near the water. No means no.

They know about the alligator attack and all the details. They were horrified, especially because we have a DS, their little brother who is around the same age. Their first question was why they were in the water.

Our DS is a typical toddler, but I can assure you. No means no with him too. He will not be near that water.

 

[kreckl]

Told my 13 year old son, too- and also about the child who was bitten by a snake reaching into the bushes for a toy. He and his friend will be walking around a bit by themselves, and I thought they should know the details. We also said we were not going to rent boats, as we had possibly planned to do.

 

[Ndusmama]

I told my 5 yo. she couldn't not see it on the tv. I told her that a little boy was too close to the water and an alligator thought he was a toy. This lead to a discussion of what makes a good toy for both humans and alligators. It also lead to other conversations: animals and their natural habitats, why it is important to know about the wildlife in places you go to, why you should know how to swim, and what alligators eat an dhow they live.

Did I mention I homeschool her?

 

[mjkacmom]

I told my 5 yo. she couldn't not see it on the tv. I told her that a little boy was too close to the water and an alligator thought he was a toy. This lead to a discussion of what makes a good toy for both humans and alligators. It also lead to other conversations: animals and their natural habitats, why it is important to know about the wildlife in places you go to, why you should know how to swim, and what alligators eat an dhow they live.

Did I mention I homeschool her?

Why didn't you tell her the alligator thought the boy was food? Alligators don't play with toys.

 

[grassyknoll]

I told my 5 yo. she couldn't not see it on the tv. I told her that a little boy was too close to the water and an alligator thought he was a toy. This lead to a discussion of what makes a good toy for both humans and alligators. It also lead to other conversations: animals and their natural habitats, why it is important to know about the wildlife in places you go to, why you should know how to swim, and what alligators eat an dhow they live.

Did I mention I homeschool her?

I don't understand what difference it makes that you homeschool her. Would you not have had a discussion with her if you didn't?

 

[mjkacmom]

When your children go to public school, all learning ends when you leave the building. They go home and sit in front of the screen, while their parents are either at work, or attend to other things.

 

[grassyknoll]

When your children go to public school, all learning ends when you leave the building. They go home and sit in front of the screen, while their parents are either at work, or attend to other things.

That's true. I don't even talk to my children. I mean, that's what teachers and interactive iPad apps are for, right?

 

[Hikergirl]

After a few days thinking about this I decided to tell my 6 year old daughter about the alligator this morning. I just told her a boy was bitten by an alligator and left it at that.

I have a DD6 and a DS4. We go twice per year. We stay at resorts with beaches, and, most importantly, my kids don't always do what I tell them to do.

I can tell them to stay away from the water, but that doesn't mean they'll take it seriously. Especially at WDW which is more laid-back and less rules-enforcement than at home or school. So I'm hoping I can scare her away from the water.

OP, if your kids dont do what you tell them to do and your only option is hoping to scare them into staying away from the water after you have told them not to go near it, then maybe you should just avoid the beach areas all together.
Water safety (alligators or not) should not be laid back, even at WDW. If your kids don't listen to you near water they shouldn't be near it.

 

[Mousemommy1]

When your children go to public school, all learning ends when you leave the building. They go home and sit in front of the screen, while their parents are either at work, or attend to other things.

I'm pretty sure I just sprained an optical nerve with the extent of the side-eye I just gave.

 

[AshleeH]

I'm pretty sure I just sprained an optical nerve with the extent of the side-eye I just gave.

Heck, I've learned I can just text my children when I need to tell them anything and end every conversation with: "See you when you turn 18!"

 

[Mousemommy1]

Heck, I've learned I can just text my children when I need to tell them anything and end every conversation with: "See you when you turn 18!"

Shoot, I don't have time to text the kids. My phone has been set up to send automated messages at certain intervals. Get with the times!

 

[TeamH5]

That's true. I don't even talk to my children. I mean, that's what teachers and interactive iPad apps are for, right?

Well THAT explains the funny looks I get when I take time at a museum/aquarium to actually get my kids involved and learning about the displays instead of just willy nilly running from one display to the next.

 

[AshleeH]

Shoot, I don't have time to text the kids. My phone has been set up to send automated messages at certain intervals. Get with the times!

Noted! I'll start this as soon as I leave their food rations for the week outside of their bedroom doors!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Noted! I'll start this as soon as I leave their food rations for the week outside of their bedroom doors!

Now that's one I haven't done yet.....

Parenting...You're doing it right.

 

[Ndusmama]

I don't understand what difference it makes that you homeschool her. Would you not have had a discussion with her if you didn't?

I would have had a discussion with her but it probably would not have lead to all the other topics that came up. And having taught in public school you would be surprised how many kids do stop learning once that bell rings at 3. We did research what makes a good toy for alligators and how humans are not good options. If she was older I would have used a different approach. She also has learned that Florida water is not a place to play. She knows what it means to die (unfortunately), she doesn't need to know it could happen to someone her sisters age. Keep in mind this was also the same week we had the conversation that people do not know how to use guns properly.

 

[Ndusmama]

Noted! I'll start this as soon as I leave their food rations for the week outside of their bedroom doors!

Food rations.... I'm going to have to remember that one. It's as funny as scheduling a time for a tantrum. Sorry it's not 4:15 you cant have a tantrum right now.

 

[grassyknoll]

Food rations.... I'm going to have to remember that one. It's as funny as scheduling a time for a tantrum. Sorry it's not 4:15 you cant have a tantrum right now.

Parenting tip: They won't throw tantrums if you always text approval to their requests in a timely manner.

 

[Pesky]

I just told our two yesterday. When they asked, I did tell them the little boy died as a result. DS is very aware of the dangers of alligators and crocodiles but loves to study them. So it's pretty important for us to tell them they must stay away from any body of water in Florida and even check the pool! From watching his dinosaur documentaries, DS (and by hearing it constantly, DD) is aware of how crocodiles and alligators hunt, as ambush predators, so the attack was sadly typical. Such a tragedy. Even with the gravitas of the message and their own knowledge of such predators, we'll still have to keep sharp eyes on them.