Other Turtle Discussion :: My younger sisters...

[N4784N R4613]

Ugh, I didn't know where to post this, but I feel bad for my poor turtles, because my 2 and 7 (yes 7) year old sisters find it "fun" to sneak up on the poor little things and scream at the top of there lunges making them scramble off the dock. I put the bigger one in a big bowl to feed him and if there around he can't even eat because they bug the poor little guy until he/she goes into his/her shell and then they laugh. I find myself waiting until there both busy just to feed them. I have told them so many times not to it, but they think I'm just being funny. Even when I yell at them they just laugh it off and keep on doing it. It's mainly the older one the 2 year old just trys to do everything the 7 year old dose.

It can't be healthy for them. Dose anyone have any ideas on how to explain to a 7 year old not to scare turtles?

[Spookster]

Start sneaking up on them when they are eating or sleeping and scream. Tell them you will stop doing that when they stop doing it to the turtles.

[DanielRES1180]

That's a good learn through feeling type of thing. You could just do that anytime they're calm and don't suspect a thing. Or you can just make them (actually just the 7 year old) write "I will not scare my bro's/sis's turts" 'til her arm falls off. Actually when you're satisfied with the amount she's written.

[scripta_elegans]

this seems like a situation that your parents need to get involved with. They need to understand that the behavior of your little sisters toward your turtles is abusive, and needs to be treated as such.

[Boogerbutt02]

wake your sister up one morning with pots and pans banging together... It is a bad way to wake up (from experince) and tell your sister that is how the turtle feels when she screams at it....

And yes your parents need to be involved in a conversation with your sisters about screaming at the turtle...

[steve]

Start sneaking up on them when they are eating or sleeping and scream. Tell them you will stop doing that when they stop doing it to the turtles.

LOL, that is going to be one fun household.

[N4784N R4613]

LOL. My parents have already talked to her three times. Yes I would sneak up and scare the living day lights out of her, but (1) are family eats together so if I where missing from the table (i.e. sneaking up on her) they send someone looking for me (or anyone who's missing from the table). (2) I can't wake her up like that because she sleeps in the same room as my three other sister.

My 7 year old sister is very spoiled. When she was a baby she had a serve case of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(or acid reflux). Basically the "valve" that is suppose to shut off the esophagus from the stomach (while its "churning" the food) dose not work. In this case I think it hadn't grown in yet. There for when the stomach starts "churning" up the food you just ate your esophagus get fill with the acids that are suppose to break down the food(including the one for meat which can melt though metal).

The thing that spoiled her though is the fact that when she refluxed she would stop breathing. She has grown out of it (mostly), but in those first few years of her life none of are family of 7 (8 now with the two year old) could let her cry. For when she would cry she would reflux.

So now do you see the dilemma I'm in? I can't scare her like she dose to my turtles. I can't talk/yell to/at her because she thinks it is funny. She blows off what ever my mom saids. And if my parents punish her she just crys and runn up and hugs them. Which breaks there heart and they give in.

[Andrew7769]

where are your tanks? when all my family was over in the summer i locked my bedroom door cause they were taking my turtles out and "playing" with them

[z-chic]

have her watch "free willy" and see how banging on the tank hurts his ears....(sorry I can't be of much help) My kids are pretty good with the animals, but they I can diciplib them...it's harder for you since they are siblings

[scripta_elegans]

Is the tank in your room? It is pretty inexpensive to get a lock for the door, and keeping your sister out of your room instead of upsetting her by setting boundries would seem more appealing to a permissive parent.

[DanielRES1180]

Maybe your parents can think up a suitable punishment.
Personally, I think making her right her arm off sounds best. Hope that doesn't sound too hard-handed.

[CountryGirl68]

Tough situation you've got here. With or without GRD, scaring her might make her get angry and scare the turtle more just to make you angrier. You say your sister is spoiled and you admit you were a part of it ("in those first few years of her life none of are family could let her cry"). It sounds to me like your sister is jealous of the attention you give your turtle.

Have you ever included her in helping you take care of your turtle? Maybe you can include her in the care of your turtle by teaching her about how and why you clean his habitat or have her help you feed the turtle. If she's looking for attention, including her in the care of your turtle (under supervision of course) might make her lose interest in bothering the turtle.

Does your sister like to read? You can get her a children's book about turtles. There are several you can get (maybe even at the library):
"Look Out For Turtles" by Melvin Berger
"All About Turtles" by Jim Arnosky
"Turtles" by Timothy Levi Biel (Zoobooks series)

These books teach children about turtles, their habits, and how to properly care for them. Read the books with her so you can answer any questions she may have. This will also allow you special time with her so she doesn't feel like she has to compete with your turtle for attention.

Let us know how things go.

[Spookster]

Well if scaring is out of the question you can always go with noogies, wet willy's, purple nurples, etc.

[flutterby]

Or my favorite way... duct tape

[still no turtle]

i kno wat u mean....since i got my 2 turtles ( an hour ago) my brothers are up on chairs staring at it with a million questions like.....
can i feed it my waffle? or can it sleep in my room?

little siblings....the ruin everything. alot of ppl have some pretty good ideas but if they all fail...just w8 a bit, they'll get bored and leave em alone.