When I reflect on my childhood, I cannot recall a memory of my mother ever showing any fear. Whenever a thunderstorm would freak us kids out she would seem so relaxed even somewhat fasinated with the lightening. Still to this day I am doubtful that my mom fears anything. She is my Superhero. Yet now that I am a mother myself I find myself laughing off the thunder that still rocks my nerves. And casually slaying the spiders that cause me to shudder inwardly. In the presence of my daughter I try to down play any of my distress. I watch out the window at the storm as if I only see the beauty, but I'm really worrying about weather the tornado or the strikes of lightening are close enough to cause damage. I tell her the spider, bugs, ants are no big deal , but oblige her by killing any of the ones that are in the house (outside spiders can keep their lives if they remain a safe distance). Although when a spider gets on me I have been know to completely freak out -- even to the point of yanking my shirt off to make sure it was no longer on me. I did not however react this way in front of my daughter. I HATE bees very much as well and react similarly.
Do you hide your fears from your kids? Is it just part of adulthood to ignore those natural reactions that have not faded? Or do most people actually move past this fears? When my daughter thinks of me will I be in her mind fearless, or does she see through my act?
6 comments:
LOL! I LOVE thunderstorms! Epsecially the ones that are super loud and exciting--but i loath roaches. I don't care who's around me I jump up and down and scream like a little girl when I see one--all the while I'm chasing it and trying to kill it. It's very exciting! LOL! Jenni
I love thunderstorms too. However, I still have carried over many childhood fears, i.e. the dark. Yeah, I'm a wuss. Some fears I do my best to keep from my doodles and some I'm just honest about. I don't want them to feel ashamed of being afraid because everyone does at some point. I just try to remind them that fear is inverse to faith and that the best place to find solace from fear is on your knees. (For us, anyway.)
Jenni and LT -- I definitely don't share a love of thunderstorms although I do see beauty in them more now that I'm older. Roaches ... yuck I agree.. and LT That is very wise advice. I often try to remember the fear and faith saying, but when i'm fearful I often forget. I am also not a huge dark fan. I could do a whole post on more things that frighten be. But that would be supplying to much information for someone to torture me with some day.
Hate spiders! I just wrote about that on my blog (through a small excerpt I shared). I don't have kids myself, but when I used to be a teacher I was always amazed at how different my take was on everything. I was able to take care of bugs and blood and all other sorts of gross things, simply because I had to.
Amber, you are so cute! I love your posts! I hope all is well over there with your adorable family!
Just a few weeks ago, I was at my volunteer job and they found a snake in the building. The kids were flipping out, and I had to remain calm as to not cause any more chaos, but inwardly I was freaking out! Though I do not care for bugs, I have no problem stomping them.
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