We can’t quite believe that this even needs to be said, but, an ‘enterprising’ zoo has decided that a great way to raise money is to let people name a cockroach after their ex, for $2.
No doubt some people who were betrayed by their partner think this is a great idea and would relish their cheating spouse achieving apparent immortatlity being named after a much loathed creature. (They might not have considered that cockroaches are likely to out-survive the human race)
This scheme is not just about naming a cockroach after your ex….
You also get a special commemorative certificate which reads:
“I’ve named a cockroach at [Name of zoo] in the not so loving memory of my worthless ex”.
The zoo’s Facebook page promotes the idea as follows:
“Now, we know it’s a little over a month away, but we know you like to be organised!
For those that don’t quite require revenge, there’s another way to make you feel better about getting back at your ex this Valentine’s Day.
The HCC is offering the chance to name a cockroach in honor of your, or your friend’s worthless ex-“someone” on this special holiday of love.
We are highlighting these creatures through our ‘name a cockroach programme’ (we think adopt is a little too strong, after all – you probably don’t want to adopt your ex) to raise money for our projects at the zoo.”
But it gets better (worse…)
The cockroaches’ names will be put on display at the zoo, next to the cockroach exhibit.
Seems harmless, right?
Well here’s where we step in and be the ‘Fun Police’.
Divorce and Separation are hard. If you’ve been betrayed, you might think this is a marvellous idea.
But if you have kids….
please…
stop for a minute…..
Think about your kids...
Children are the potential casualties of divorce.
They don’t have to be harmed by your divorce, but they definitely can be.
You can choose to have a painless separation, or one that drags your kids into it.
This idea that was intended to be funny, has real potential to harm children.
Imagine if your child found that certificate where you call their other parent “worthless”?
Imagine if your child was visiting the zoo and saw their parent’s name on display?
Highly respected social worker Gary Direnfield frequently posts on his Facebook page about the importance of keeping your children out of your divorce and explains it in detail in his blog post Why Shouldn’t My Kid Know I’m Angry About My Ex?
But consider - it could be even worse for your children
Imagine your child turning up to school on a Monday and their classmates taunting them with
“Your Dad’s a cockroach!”
or
“Your Mum’s a cockroach!”
Or visiting the zoo on a school excursion and seeing Mum’s or Dad’s name on a plaque at the cockroach exhibit –
with their classmates standing right there with them.
Hopefully we don’t need to spell out the negative impacts of bullying on children (but here’s an article by Mark Dombeck, Ph.D just in case…)
If you are contemplating that you'll name a cockroach after your ex
If you have kids,
please…
Just Don’t.
And if you are thinking about it as a gift for a friend, buy them flowers or a self-help book instead.
For more articles on positive parenting after separation, follow our blog.
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