Children should respect all creatures

Allow me to share some observations and thoughts on the long overdue public awareness of bullying. At one of our beautiful local public beaches over the weekend, I was having a peaceful read in my chair while enjoying the quietness and serenity of an end-of-summer crowd-less beach. There were ducks swimming in the water and geese frolicking in the sand. They, too, seemed to be enjoying the lack of people in their environment.
Within a short time, not one, but three separate groups of children began tormenting the wildlife around us, all the while as seemingly responsible adults were watching. My heart was saddened as I watched them repeatedly throwing chunks of sand and rocks at these unsuspecting creatures while they moved in and out of the water trying to avoid their tormentors. This actually became more of a game among the children as they continued. Disturbingly, the parental figures not only thought this was acceptable behavior, but some actually laughed as these small birds cried in anguish to find safety.
Is there a lesson here that needs to be spelled out for parents of young children? When is it ever wise to allow, no less encourage, children to hurt living creatures in such an inhumane and callous manner? When it comes to our kids, isn’t it our job as adults to teach simple good behavior? Do some parents need to be reminded that such behavior is wrong and that children should be taught accordingly? Maybe a little common sense parenting can prevent a few kids from becoming bullies.
Mechelle Casciotta