Wednesday 3 April 2013

The things we do for our kids.

I have a terrible, irrational fear of snakes. In fact, I can hardly look at a picture of one without feeling slightly nauseous and disorientated. I think it has its roots in my childhood growing up on a large smallholding with heaps of snakes in the area. I will never forget the day I opened my cupboard door as a 6 year old and saw a puff adder amongst my shoes. Therefore I avoid the reptile section at the zoo and parks with snakes etc. I have however been very careful not to let that fear show in front of my kids. The Princess knows I do not like snakes, but that's it. Mr L has a rather irrational fear of all reptiles (which seem to be getting a lot better) but I add that one as just one of his quirks - after all he also had one for the lawnmower.

On Saturday I went to a party with Mr C - the invite was in the form of a bat so I really did not expect what took place on the day. After some play and cake and candles, a "creepy creatures" show took place. They were shown and was allowed to touch a bullfrog (what a beautiful animal), a 2 week old crocodile, a baby blue monkey, baby raccoon and tortoises. The guy doing the show was brilliant and gave a whole lot of educational info to the kids.


Then it came! He asked us all to sit on one wall and went about 10 meters away and brought out a puff adder, followed later by a cobra. The kids were all dead quiet and far away as he asked. Although not comfortable with this I stayed far back in the crowd and coped. Then he asked the kids if he can bring out a snake they can touch. A huge "yes" came from the crowd. And out he brought a Boa constrictor. After all the info he came close and told the kids they could touch if their parents came with them. Little enthusiastic C who was one of only a few kids to touch every single animal on offer before immediately grabbed my hand to go. So this mommy swallowed hard, sent up a prayer to be strong and touched the snake. I think my heart stopped for a few seconds and I felt physically ill. But I am proud I did it. Looking at the picture still makes my tummy turn but at the same time I feel incredibly proud of myself.

My dear C, if you read this sometime in the future, please know mommy loved you enough to do this. To Uranus and back, including touching a snake along the way.

So please tell me you have also done something totally out of your comfort zone for your  kids and btw have you ever touched a snake?

27 comments:

  1. Don't they feel disgusting?!? Urgh I hate that feeling. I have a problem with spiders. I used to get trapped in the bath by stupid spiders on the ceiling when I was on the farm. I have not yet had to pet a spider, praise God, and, God-willing, will never have to do so. Big ups to you, Hon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am totally ok with spiders though. Although I do not take to rodents kindly

      Delete
  2. Good for you Cat! Wow...that would be similar to me touching a giant spider - I would freak out for sure!

    I've touched a snake, similar to that one actually. They had one in a snake park we once visited and they actually draped it round your neck if you let them. Feeling those muscles contract round you is very unpleasant indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh they did offer the draping to us but I do not think I will at all be able to do that.

      Delete
  3. No, thank you. But YOU are BRAVE with a capital B :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The fear you have described here, is what I feel regarding spiders. I can't even look at them, what to say about taking a photo of them.
    We do so much for our kids, even to bridge our fears. Well done for bridging your fear and doing this for your son.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well done....! Snakes and spiders I can handle...my problem is praying mantises....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really - I love those. I think they are beautiful

      Delete
  6. You are so brave and such an awesome Mom for not showing your fear in front of your kids! Closest thing for me is allowing James to go on a horse ride. I'm terrified of horses.... But I let him ride and just told him I don't like them because they stink lol!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I could NEVER! I can't even look at pictures of snakes! So you get bonus mommy points for that

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my goodness. I'm terrified of snakes. My challenge is that I don't want my girls to see my reaction to snakes. I want them to form their own opinions about them, which is hard b/c I dislike them SO much! You're a good mama to actually touch one!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. go you!! Very brave mommy :)
    My issue is rats... I don't mind snakes and spiders etc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't like those either but its not the same level of total fear

      Delete
  10. I like snakes, so I have patted them along with Mini at animal shows. :) I really don't like centipedes, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love centipedes - we call those really big ones shongololos here - I played with them for hours as a kid

      Delete
  11. Well done for touching it!
    I do not like spiders, but would always try to catch them, rather than kill them.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are one brave mom! I got a cold shiver just looking at the pictures :).

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well done! You are a whole lot braver than I would of been, of that I am almost sure! I don't like snakes either...! I am sure there are things I have done for Bean which have taken me out of my comfort zone, though nothing quite like touching a snake;-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Whoop Whoop! That's brave of you. Dont think I would touch a snake... Don't like them either

    ReplyDelete
  15. You and I are the same person. I cannot stand snakes. Also avoid the reptile section and can't even look at a pic of snakes. And yet my sons are fascinated by them. Thank goodness Lance doesn't mind. You are a BRAVE, AWESOME Mama. I don't think that I would have done that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I always knew you were a wonderful mother...now I add the brave to the wonderful mother.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Haha! Way to go, Brave Mama!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Well done Cat! What I love is that you did it with a smile. What a wonderful Mom you are.

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh my word! I am terrified of snakes.. any reptile looking creatures in fact! My worst being geckos! So well done to you, I shan't be going anywhere near any snakes!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yikes, you are brave! The ground would open up and swallow me before I'll intentionally get that close to one! I can't even look at the pictures or watch them on tv! Gold star to you mommy of the year :)

    ReplyDelete

So what's on your mind?