4Real Forums: Mom afraid of "nature"

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science

Topic: Mom afraid of "nature"

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Maggie
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Joined: Dec 01 2007
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Posted: Sept 25 2008 at 12:27pm \| IP Logged

Hey Everyone!

I am a newbie. I have a 3yo and a 15 mo...and I love the CCM idea of getting the kids outdoors. The problem is...I am afraid of the great outdoors.

We just came back from a vaca in the Blue Ridge Mtns. in GA...my husband and I genuinely love hiking...it's just the critters/animals that terrify me.

While hiking one day, we both heard a very deep growl...who knows what it was...but that was enough for me. I just feel like I am "encroaching" on animals and their territory when outdoors.

I live in FL...we have a few ponds around, but I am afraid of snakes and alligators...or something happening when I am with the children by myself.

Anyone overcome a fear of the outdoors? Any practical advice for this scaredy-cat momma?

God Bless,
Maggie

Sarah
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Joined: Aug 17 2005
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Posted: Oct 01 2008 at 10:19pm \| IP Logged

Maggie I used to feel guilty that I didn't take my kids out to the more wild areas.Then I began to see more of the big picture.Kids don't need as wild as you might be thinking to successfully study nature.

With kids your kids age I would focus on super simple little bugs around the yard or park. I'd try to introduce butterflies, moths, earthworms, the moon,flowers, grass, any bird that flies by. Plant some seeds in a pot.Look close at tree bark.Keep it safe and simple.Don't worry or feel guilty.Your kids have plenty of time as teens to hike.There's more nature right around you than you know.

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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9

JodieLyn
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Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
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Posted: Oct 01 2008 at 10:29pm \| IP Logged

This could be a case of the more you know the safer you'll feel.

For instance if you're scared of any and every snake out there.. if you learned which are poisonous and how to tell, which have non-poisonous look alikes.. then when you do happen on one you'll be able to judge from a place of knowledge whether you should turn tail and run or if you just feel like you should

and you might learn what you should do.. if it's turn tail and run or slowly back away or just what while you're at it.

Sometimes the fear is because you don't know what something is or how it's likely to act or how you should deal with it if you run into it.

Now sometimes this can just feed a fear.. by finding out more things to be afraid of. I don't know which might be what you're dealing with. But figured I'd toss the thought out there for you to consider.

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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

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