Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The One about Bugs


Last weekend, I was gardening.

I was transferring one pot of aloe vera to a bigger pot when I unearthed a GIANT worm. It squirmed from the exposure and snarled at me menacingly. Ok, I might have imagined the snarling but I jumped back and hollered for Dear Hubby.

My shining knight came running and scooped the worm into a plastic bag. I made sure he made sure the worm was dead before he disposed of it. He laughed at me being scared of a tiny worm. But I cannot help it. The very sight of a wriggling worm gives me the creeps.

Yesterday, DH told me that there was a cockroach in the bathroom. I rolled up a copy of Economist and swiftly killed the roach, before picking it up (with a tissue la) and flushing it away. DH laughed (albeit shakily, clearly still traumatized by the roach) that I can ‘terminate’ most bugs in the house but am scared of worms.

He’s right and we are lucky to complement each other this way. The bugs that freak him out (most except lizards and worms) – I can handle them relatively calmly. He can take care of the yucky lizards and worms.

We all have our own preference and fears. It’s only human. Having said that, many of our fears are possibly a result of exposure and upbringing, rather than innate.

Once we were in the fish section of a supermarket, where they have live fishes in tanks. This was when we were living in HK. One fish jumped a little, causing a little splash and startled a 4-5 year old girl next to it. She screamed in fright so loudly and couldn’t stop crying for a long while. DH couldn’t believe a fish can cause such a big reaction. To me, it was probably a result of parental influence and lack of exposure.

One of my challenges is raising Dear Daughter to have an open mind. 

This is one of the many things about my parenting approach which surprise even me. Friends know me as an opinionated person who has a strong view on most matters and what I want. Often I persuade people to do certain things (without realizing it).


Kids' hearts are pure. Their hearts are like a clean canvas. I consciously refrain from imposing my personal preference on her or introducing fears to her unwittingly. She shall develop her own preference, her own thoughts without prejudice.

Anyway last night, there was a bug crawling on the floor. I pointed it out to DD and wanted to see how she would react. She was curious and leaned closer to touch the bug, then squealed in excitement when the bug flew away. DH remarked she was a stark contrast to an encounter when we were living in HK. I felt strangely proud of my fearless little girl.

p.s. I used to be scared of cockroaches too. One Chinese New Year eve, I saw one and screamed a bloodcurdling scream. My dad rushed to me immediately and in his haste, he kicked at the roach and hit a metal object. His big toe nail came off and he bled a lot. We even had to visit the A&E. I felt really bad and thereafter suppressed the fear to rid the pests myself. After awhile, I realized most bugs aren’t really that scary.

p.p.s Reading the entry again, it sounds like our house is full of pests! It’s generally ok, just the norm for a tropical country. 

10 comments:

  1. it's the same at my house too! I hate lizards and slimy stuff {surprisingly I wanted to raise an iguana last time. go figure.} but don't mind cockroaches but it's the other way round for hubby. Works out fine :)

    love the pictures you took of DD and agree on your perspective. I am not really a nature person, but I try to go outdoors more so that my girl can experience the fresh air and nature.. I shouldn't stop her from having carefree fun just because I'm more of a city girl.

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

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    1. I'm most definitely not a nature person too. If not for the incident with my dad, I think I will be scared of ALL bugs.

      This is another thing with being a mommy. We become braver people for the sake of our lil ones.

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  2. I hate bugs!~ I'm definately not a nature person..

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    1. Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm not a nature person too. Only took to gardening very recently. Apart from that, zilch.

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  3. A lizard just dropped on me last night, as I was walking to get my car after dinner... scary, I tell you!!! I am scared of most, nope, make that - ALL, bugs (though I am a fairly nature person). Even dead roaches...which I kill with half a bottle of insecticide!

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    1. Ha, Cheryl, I would be so grossed out if that happens to me!!!

      We don't use insecticide anymore since I'm pregnant they are bad for health.

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  4. I am ok with lizards, bugs, cockraches, but am scared when furry animals (dogs, cats, rabbits) comes too close. Strangely, DS likes to get close to dogs and cats when he sees them. I'm proud that he seems to like furry animals more than me.

    P.S I can finally leave notes!

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    1. Hi dear, yay on your note! I'm proud of lil C. We have to arrange a playdate for them one day.

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  5. Well, I'm terrified of worms. AND cockroaches. But like you say, somehow we become braver for our little ones and especially staying abroad now, it's not like I can scream and someone will come running along to help. Salute you for your courage and you are right to say that we should let the kids develop an open mind and not influence them with what we like or dislike about life. =) Oh, and congrats on being preggie!

    Cheers,
    Summer

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    1. Hi Summer! I am not pregnant now, unless you know something I don't. If we have met, I would have joked it's just the festive weight. Haha.

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