Be Wary of What You Impart
Toddlers are incredibly impressionable beings. During their toddler years they look to us, their parents, for guidance to know what is right from wrong. As they grow older they will undoubtedly form their own opinions on certain subjects, however, it is apparent that even the littlest of things we impart onto them can greatly impact their whole lives.
I hate frogs! And yes I realize how strong a word such as ‘hate’ is but I mean it… I hate them! They’re slimy, slippery, and ugly and every time I see one I scream like a little girl! Unfortunately, because I do this and can’t help but do this, my son is absolutely mortified of them. This is the same child that, only a month prior, would be happy to see them, catch them, and play with them (unbeknownst to me). What have I done? I have just instilled an unnecessary fear in my child that I don’t know how to undo.
After a while the guilt just ate me up thinking about what I had done and finally a thought came to me… an idea! My son’s father is not at all scared of frogs, as a matter of fact it’s his favorite animal. I asked if he would please take our son outside and show him that frogs are nothing to be frightened of. And, from the safety of my own home, with doors locked, I peered out the window to watch as my baby boy, after much coercing by his father, once again held a small frog.
Placing fear into our children for safety reasons, like ‘the stove is hot, do not touch it’ is one thing; but imparting fears that are incredibly ridiculous is another. Let your children decide what they like and don’t like. And if you just can’t bring yourself to face your own fear, get your husband to do it!
