PARENTING - ON DANGERS AND SAFETY
Knowledge can help!
Let's face it, the world is a dangerous place. Both in the wild and in the cities, our children can be exposed to all sorts of harmful things. As parents, our options are limited, but something must be done. Personally, I try to educate my @little-peppers and equip them with knowledge so that they can understand more about the world around them and know how to keep themselves safe.
PAPA SHARES ABOUT EDUCATION AND SAFETY
THE SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Though this particular vlog focused on being aware of dangerous animals in your local area, it applies to many other areas of parenting and keeping your children safe as well. For @papa-pepper, since we now live in an area where venomous snakes are spiders also live, I believe that my children need to know what they look like so they can identify them and avoid them.
Before we moved to Arkansas, when we were just visiting, I found a Black Widow Spider where @bluerthangreen was working. Like any good dad, I brought it back with me to show my wife and children. I wanted them to actually see one and understand what it was, why it was dangerous, and what it looked like.
Just a little while later, I was moving a stack of boards. Our oldest daughter, Pinkie-Pepper, alerted me and told me to look. Sure enough, right on the stack of boards I was carrying was a Black Widow. She sure applied that knowledge quick.
Here is Monster Truck the Pepper with a wild Black Rat Snake that he caught. None of my children are allowed to capture any wild snake on their own, and they are also not allowed to look for them. Even if they happen to find a nonvenomous snake, like this Black Rat Snake, and they know for sure that the snake is not venomous, they are not allowed to try to catch it.
However, if they are with me, and I deem the situation safe enough, I'll let them try if they want to. To allow them to see, understand, and interact with animals gives them a respect for the animals and an understanding of them that cannot be reproduced by a book or computer.
This snake skin was found in our garden last week. By looking at the pattern, we can tell that it is from a venomous Copperhead Snake. That means that in our garden, where we harvest some of our food, just twenty feet away from where we are staying, was a Copperhead.
For anyone that lives in an area with venomous snakes or spiders, you probably know that you could find one anywhere, even inside of your house. If you are able to accurately identify them, then you will be able to avoid making a foolish mistake. Interestingly enough, more than half of the Pygmy Rattlesnakes that I have captured and relocated were found by children. What a blessing it is that they know to tell Papa and not to mess with them.
Stay safe out there everyone. I hope that you enjoyed the video!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-danger
Until next time…
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Good job @papa-pepper at having your kids involved with all your wildlife activities.
Your 4 year old son definitely has more guts than me, I don't like snakes at all, but that is probably due to not knowing the species that good.
It's true what you said them knowing the species can even help others having an extra pair of eyes. As well as good bonding time between parents and their young ones.
Good to see the little guy has such good reflexes, he fell of the chair and manage to land in such a manner as to not hurt the poor snake.
Yeah, he fell right out of that chair and never hurt the snake or let it go! He did well!
I agree we went on a wetland tour once. Was interesting how the soil was more fertile there. Wetlands are crucial. I'm just curious how long do you have to live if you get bitten by a copperhead?
The rest of your life.
Actually, Copperhead bites are rarely fatal for adults, they are more like terrible bee stings with worse results.
We have them here in South Africa too I think.
Hi @pjcswart. I don't think South Africa has copperheads, but we do have other very poisonous snakes.
That is one of the reasons why I stay well clear of snakes, mostly because all the stories you hear from people. I think if I knew the species little better, I might have trusted snakes a little more.
I do however try and avoid the snakes as much as possible and don't just go out and hurt them like most people do. I normally try and get some of the neighbors to help catch and release the snake into the bushes.
Thanks for your comment. I am pretty scared of snakes. Reptiles in general I guess. I wonder what it must have been like to live among the dinosaurs.
Hah! I'm glad your kid illustrated that there are more dangers than just wild critters. I've been known to tip back a chair or two in my day. I'm glad he was able to maintain control over the snake!
Good stuff Mr. P!
We've watched that part so many times. It's hilarious, but he did do a good job!
Thumbs up @papa-pepper! Great post on parenting. This reminded me of a great quote that I would like to share with all through this commenting thread:
By the way, I checked @little-peppers profile for the very first time. Thanks for sharing.
I like that.
Heavens, you have to get used to it because you live in an area where there are snakes etc. Here in France, we have also snakes, they like to hide in the piles of wood we have over here because here we only have wood to burn in our stoves.
But I'm happy to say that they are not as dangerous as the snakes you describe in your post.
You are very wise to learn your children how to deal with the snakes, they will never forget your lessons and act accordingly.
As born in a city in the Netherlands, I'm not used to snakes so I'm very careful when we are in our house in France. But living in the country makes me so happy. We live here around 6 months a year, the other 6 months we live in Rotterdam in the Netherlands and enjoy the city. I don't have to choose but when it would come to that, I prefer the countryside.
Thank you again for your educational posts.
Have a good day, Clio
We went on a hiking trip once in South Africa and there was a scorpion in the wood at night when we made fire. Scary black thing!!! 😀
I remember a man who came from Florida talking about why he taught his babies to swim. Because there is water everywhere Florida, there's no way to protect a child from all the possible drowning hazards, he said.
"I can't just protect them: I have to drown-proof my kids," he concluded.
This idea crosses the whole parenting spectrum - to teach rather than just try to remove danger. Protection is good and necessary, but you have to be teaching while protecting or when protection isn't complete (and can it ever be?), there has to be a safety net.
I've never been fast enough to even catch the garter snakes, Monster Pepper. Good job on the rat snake catch!
Interesting. I agree, teach and protect.
Don't reckon there's much more important than this particular responsibility as a parent.
Good on 'ya!
Let me watch it later when I get home.
ok.
I think that you'll enjoy it!
Maybe there are more dangerous things. But also maybe more wonderful things. Thanks for connecting. I hope you have a WONDERFUL day!! 😀
Knowledge is half the battle.
That was most excellent. I wish every parent would take the time and energy to educate their kids on their own surroundings and things they may encounter. In the city or in the country, there are always things that we need to watch for.
It says a lot for you as a parent to watch Monster Truck sitting with a snake coiled around his arm, but, what really impressed me was the gentle demeanor in which he was petting the snake, which was not agitated at all. Kudos to both you and him.
The black widows are the scariest to me. They are such a pretty looking spider, which defies her intent. I taught my kids early on about them too because they show up in the weirdest places - and times.
Awesome vlog and post. Keep on steemin and I'll keep reading it.
Upvoted and Resteemed