Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Fearing Fortune

“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.”
Can I PLEASE get this on a T-shirt for my 4 (almost 5 year old)?
Honestly, I am thinking about getting it made for him. He is always worried…
We watch fireworks last night, “Mom is that going to happen to me?” Umm…what, get blown up into the air and turn into a cascading mass of sparks set to music?! Really…NO!
Most of you are familiar with Disney Pixar’s The Incredibles (if you are not, just nod your head and then GOOGLE it!), there is a short film called Jack-Jack Attack. The little baby that they think has no super power ability, gets powers while the babysitter is in charge…seriously you gotta watch it, too funny…however, my sweet boy now wants to know, is that going to happen to him.
“Frosting,” I tell him trying not to roll my eyes, “you are not going to float into air, burst into flames or shoot lasers from your eyes.”
With eyes totally round and sincere, “Are you sure?” How exactly do I reassure him without making him feel silly?!
He watches a show with a bad guy… “Mom, are there bad guys? Is a bad guy going to get me and turn me into a skeleton?”
This is a harder one, where is the balance? How do I reassure him while at the same time making him aware there are dangers in the world, and not scaring him to the point he can’t sleep? Which, by the way, he does not sleep all night in his bed, he gets up and comes to bed with us almost every night…he is scared.
“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.”
How do I help him understand? How do I keep him safe with a healthy fear…how do I not freak the ever living snot out of him? My heart aches for his fears, I understand (most of them), I know the feeling…don’t get me started on bridges and swimming in the lake…I know how difficult these fears can be. How can I get him to understand?
Realistically, we all have fears. You have yours, I have mine. Frosting has his. I wish that my fears were as simple and baseless as some of his…he will never have lasers shooting from his eyes, but don’t we all still worry about the boggy man?
What keeps you up at night? What do you fear beyond understanding?
(Besides the new Smurf movie?) - shuddering!
Live, Laugh, Love ~
Vanilla Mama
PS – I fear never winning the lottery (which, if I played I might have a better chance!)…1, 17, 29, 35, 38, 44.

2 comments:

  1. I honestly think that the Incredibles should get a sequel. Cars got a sequel and I don't think it is nearly as worthy a franchise as The Incredibles.

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  2. Better to be fearful and careful than too bold. I fear being put in jail - completely irrational as I'm an honest citizen!

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And your thoughts???