Bad parenting

2 weeks ago, my inquisitive & animal loving sons found a bunny nest with 5 very small baby bunnies. The day had been overcast and so they, with the help of a friend, relocated the bunnies to higher ground, so that the "flash flood" would not drown them. Good reasoning, but one problem, unlike the desert which repels water, the soil in Minneapolis absorbs it happily. And flash floods are very, very uncommon here.
I was very stressed out because the babies now had boy kooties (sent) on them and of course as legend has it, a wild animal mother will reject it's own, if they have been touched by human hands. A myth I've been told by the Wild Life Rescue authorities. So, we put them back in their little hole, hoping they would live another day, not be rejected by their parents, and not get rained out. They did survive!!
Conrad, Riley and their friends checked on them every day to make sure, but without parental supervision, the checking became touching and then eventually hold and playing. And yet, these 5 little bunnies lived on, have grown twice as big and they hop; lippity---lippity---not very fast. Even today, in spite of the manhandling and "tough love" that only a 5-8 year old boy can give, these bunnies are doing fine. In fact their mother is relocating them to a more advanced terrain. (I wonder why?)
You may be wondering, where does the "bad parenting" title come in to play in this post? Hans reminded me of the phrase, "Dumb Bunny" and I'm afraid that these baby rabbits have 2 parents that fit the description. The bunny nest is right next to a well used volley ball court that is located by a fantastic playground, frequented by children of all ages. Let this be a lesson to all rabbits, don't make your nest visible to humans or your offspring will be exposed to curious giants, who just might take one of your children home. (This hasn't happened, yet.)
I must admit I am feeling like the bad parent as well because I took many a picture of my children holding these WILD animals. One parent I spoke with said that having all the boys (including his own) play with the bunnies on a day to day basis could be damaging (for the rabbits, that is.) It's true, my boys are disturbing the delicate balance of nature & civilization. As a parent, I know I should be worried about my boys get rabies or some other disease contracted by wild life, but to be honest, I don't feel guilty exploiting these bunnies (and possibly my children) to up the cuteness of my blog.
I know, bad parent, right here. I also bribe my children. One Sunday I told them if they got ready for church quickly and happily, they could have ice cream & cake for breakfast. Needless to say it was a very SMOOTH morning.
(I should be feeling guilt, hu?)