Creepy crawlies,bugs and snakes

Oh,here I am! Not really good at giving advice but several events in the past have stayed on my mind so here goes! I think it very important and valuable to teach children about everything in our world. This includes the wonderful world of bugs,creepy crawlies and reptiles. In the

grocery store a while back this dear little boy went into shock almost at the sight of a spider. His reaction was severe. I scooped the spider into my hand and he looked terrified,I smiled at him and extended my hand just a bit so he could see the spider exploring my hand. He looked at my eyes,I knew what he was looking for because at that moment his Mom saw what I had in my hand and screamed. He was looking for fear in my eyes. I think the cues we send,even if involuntary to our kids shape them. It is not the intention of any one to set their child on a path of fear. I've watched my son grab snakes up to show kids in the conservation areas we go to. A child will take in so much once the uncertainty of the unknown is washed away.  I didn't get comfortable with snakes until my sons started bring them home. All ceatures are amazing if you stop to think and give them a chance. This may be far fetched to some who harbour those fears themselves but...here are some examples of where it leads. My friend had her licence removed..there was a spider on the dash and she drove into a ditch,the judge said the unreasonable fear she had prevented safe operation of a car as spiders were often in cars. A friend goes to a cottage but not to the waterfront as there might be snakes. Friends of ours go into the bathroom before their little girl to sweep for bugs because there was a caterpillar in there once,cute they thought,we're keeping her safe,now she won't go into any bathroom and her first year at child care was not good. I know it's hard to keep reactions that are triggered by fear under control and some seem to think that these fears are reasonable and should be passed on for protection but you really got to stop and think. Hope my point has come across the proper way and I think creepy crawlies,bugs and snakes need all the friends they can get!!!

So...as all Great Mommies do,I have been told by some good ones that Australia is different,don't worry I still have to visit even though I now know that your insects and creepy crawlies and snakes are tough. I assumed that all exploring adventures would be under an knowledgeable elder so that should have been mentioned too! See! Giving advice is not my strong point!