What are you more afraid of, lions or snakes?
I'd have to say snakes.
I guess it probably should be lions, because they're the ones that would attack me if I encountered one in the wild, but it's all a matter of relativity for me.
I hardly think I'm going to ever come across one in my backyard _ unless of course I move to Africa, then the probability would increase.
This past weekend we went to the circus, where there were lions, and Seymour Alternative Farming Expo, where there were snakes, handled by a snake handler who performed live snake shows.
It got me thinking about my reactions to both creatures and how that affects my children.
At the circus, I encouraged prince number one (P2 was home sick with Daddy) to get excited over the lions in the ring _ despite the three stoned-looking lions not seeming all that excited themselves.
At the expo, I tensed, gasped and took steps backward while holding onto him as the snake handler revealed snake after deadly snake in his canvas pit.
We watched one of the reptile shows from start to finish and I told P1 to look, but I made sure I made him unsure about the scaly creatures, even though the presenter was trying to reassure his audience members they could keep themselves safe.
I don't think it's cruel to scare my kids about things that could cross our path any given day and have the potential to kill them.
In fact, I don't see any advantage to them not being scared _ especially at this age.
How do we know how our kids would react if they saw a snake on the ground close by them?
After all, it's not a common occurrence, how could we predict a reaction?
Maybe when they're in primary school, when they're old enough to understand what a snake expert tells them _ all the things like staying still to avoid a strike _ then I might let them know they're not to be feared quite as much as they once believed.
But at this age (P1 is two years old and P2 is 10 months old), they don't understand what a snake handler is saying.
All they see is that he's picking up dangerous reptiles that appear quite harmless.
I doubt any snake that happened across our backyard would have spent the previous few hours in a cold Esky to slow him down.
You could say I didn't have to let my children watch the show, and you'd be right _ but you can't avoid these images anyway.
Kids' shows often show people handling snakes, especially Bindi Irwin's show, but other educational shows like Play School have ventured into the same territory.
Children's books don't always paint snakes as something to be feared either.
And of course, news shows and newspapers publish images of snake-handlers visiting schools and the like, too.
I realise there's a snake-hugging attitude all around us and we can't hide from it _ that's why I'm taking matters into my own hands to make certain my boys don't want to get cosy with something I won't ever consider our friends.
_ Bree Almond
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