Those of you with kids

[jamest0o0]

Curious, did your kids take up an interest in reptiles/animals with you? Or maybe some other interest that you share? As many of you know, I have 2 boys who will turn 2 and 1 in july. I'm always thinking about what they might be into when they're older... if they'll like the reptiles and bugs, or think their dad is a weirdo(probably not escaping that one either way).

 

[JoXie411]

Some parents are just meant to be the cool parents, your off to a great start. My guy is 1year older then your oldest and he’s so far seems to like my reptiles/ bugs. We can be playing outside and he will pick up random bugs off the floor and hand them to me. He’s so proud of himself when he does. He has a step stool he takes to the cages so he can hand feed roaches to the gang.

 

[MissSkittles]

When they’re little and they idolize you is the perfect time to encourage their involvement in your interests. Have them help you, actively engage them, teach them and help open up their world. Along with all of that is the love and attention that you’ll be giving them which is priceless.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

All my kids have their own reptile. My younger girls 6 and 7 have a crested gecko each. They handle them. The youngest will handle every reptile I have. The 2 male panther chameleons (mine) , 1 male beardie (wife's), 1 female leopard gecko (sons), 1 male Gargoyle Gecko (wife's) and 2 female cresties (girls). My step son will handle everything as well. Middle girl will not handle the beardie (nails) or my largest panther (cage aggressive and nails). My step son also wants another Leopard Gecko for his birthday. We all try to catch the local lizards we have here in Pueblo, CO as well. Lots of pretty blue and yellow skinks, and some large brown ones that are more rare. We don't deal with snakes (my wife's and I's phobia) I can and will handle boas and some pythons however. I can't stand fast moving snakes!

 

[AmandaS]

As my mom said, "I molded you to be my best friend". You get to teach them what you think is cool in the world, and you also get to learn what they think is cool. It is quite the relationship when your kids get older. Granted, my daughter is just about 13..but she has taught me some awesome things and she has a vibrant personality.

She definitely loves everything animals. She has a bearded dragon and loves her hamster too. She said she wants to either be a wildlife rehabilator or a software developer!

Can't wait for you to see who your kids will be.

 

[NikkiA]

I agree with everything that everyone else has said, when they are young they want to be around you and will love your hobbies because they look up to you. All of my girls love the chameleons, the outdoors and nature in general. I think they love these things because they have had so many positive experiences where animals and nature have been involved.

We went sunflower picking last fall, it was just me and my three girls. It was the first time I had ever seen a sunflower field, I've seen patches of sunflowers, but never millions upon millions of sunflowers. There was no one else in the field that day, it was magical, one of those days that will stick in my mind forever. Now, every time my girls see sunflowers they think of our experience. They bought me sunflower packets for Mother's Day and a pot with sunflowers on it. They also got seed kits during quarantine and all three of them picked sunflowers. That day clearly impacted my kids, not just me.

My point with the story is our kids want to be around us. If we give them positive memories while doing activities we enjoy, they will like them, maybe not love them as much as us, but I don't think that they will find our hobbies weird because they will have positive memories attached to the things that we love.

I love these years with them being young. It's a lot of work, but the hugs, snuggles and loving looks are worth it!

 

[jamest0o0]

Thank you all for your replies! I meant to reply sooner and forgot to actually respond!

 

[jamest0o0]

A little interesting story of mine... I only met my biological father a few years ago(he didn't know i existed lol). Turns out that he also loves animals in the same extreme as I do. Completely different upbringings, not even from the same countries, but then share that common interest. Must be something genetic that brings a love/appreciation for nature.

As for the kids, my nearly 2 year old is starting to get fascinated with bugs, he alerts me to anything he finds. In fact, he's a major reason I ended up keeping no name, every morning and night he wants to say hello and goodnight to him. He also shows me how he eats using his hand like the cham's tongue lol.

 

[MissSkittles]

A little interesting story of mine... I only met my biological father a few years ago(he didn't know i existed lol). Turns out that he also loves animals in the same extreme as I do. Completely different upbringings, not even from the same countries, but then share that common interest. Must be something genetic that brings a love/appreciation for nature.

As for the kids, my nearly 2 year old is starting to get fascinated with bugs, he alerts me to anything he finds. In fact, he's a major reason I ended up keeping no name, every morning and night he wants to say hello and goodnight to him. He also shows me how he eats using his hand like the cham's tongue lol.

That’s awesome about your Dad! Yes, more than physical things are passed on genetically. Your little one sounds too cute. ?

 

[jamest0o0]

That’s awesome about your Dad! Yes, more than physical things are passed on genetically. Your little one sounds too cute. ?

Cute and a terror at the same time...