I want to teach my kid to like animals. Even small ones. But I am too afraid to touch them or even try to catch them.
Long time ago I had a friend that just jumped and caught a mouse with his bare hands. It was the same for small lizards, snakes… I would never be able to do that. Mostly because I am afraid to do that. He always loved animals and always released them, after he pet them for a bit. I think he is veterinarian now.
I want to be more like this friend, so I can teach my kid to be the same. Also I am jealous of styropyro. He just has his moth and squirrel friends… I want that to :)
Where should I start? Did you ever had similar feelings?
Maybe you can highlight similarities between these animals. You could mention the shared evolutionary history of vertebrates or mammals - for example, having a cranium with nerves, bilateral symmetry and the ability to perceive touch and other senses. In mammals in particular, hair is a modification of fur, similar social behavior, emotions, learning, play and a higher investment in offspring. Humans are not that different in some ways, common basics. Seeing it from this perspective may reduce the fear of getting closer to animals.