Recently, while visiting the zoo with my children, we were on a quest to find the elusive king cobra. As we searched, a woman nearby made a snide remark. “The only good snake is a dead snake,” she declared to her kids. Later, at the insect exhibit, we admired the fascinating stick bugs, only to see others recoil in horror at the sight of the hissing cockroaches (I don’t love them either, but come on!). Nobody even glanced at the spiders. It struck me that these adults were teaching their children to view all creepy-crawlies as threats. A snake in the yard? Kill it with a shovel. A spider in the bathroom? Scream and squish. Any bug in the house? Eliminate it, no questions asked. Because, you know, creepy-crawlies are gross.
In the poem “Mercy: After Nikki Giovanni,” a woman asks poet Rudy Francisco to kill a spider. Instead, he opts for “the most peaceful weapons” and releases it outside. He reflects, “If I am ever caught in the wrong place/ at the wrong time, just being alive… I hope I am greeted/ With the same kind/ Mercy.” My partner, who teaches high school, often shares this poem, which conveys that how we treat small creatures can reflect our attitudes toward larger beings (like humans). Our biases can shape our reactions to both the small and the significant.
I’m not judging anyone for disliking spiders. But I am suggesting that you consider your willingness to explore things that may scare you but aren’t actually harmful. Many cultures celebrate spiders (just Google it), and snakes symbolize various concepts, from healing to immortality. These aren’t just creepy-crawlies; they’re rich with meaning and worth a deep dive. Imagine if your kids researched snake symbolism from around the world!
I understand the concern. Yes, some creepy-crawlies can be dangerous. Certain spiders and snakes are venomous, and we want to keep our families safe. However, the dangerous ones are generally easy to identify. My family doesn’t let our kids handle wild snakes, but they know the difference between a harmless wolf spider and a black widow, or a garter snake versus a copperhead. My eight-year-old once spotted a copperhead near my partner’s leg, saying, “Daddy, there’s a copperhead next to your leg.” He saved his dad from a nasty bite!
So why kill all creepy-crawlies when only a few pose a threat? Don’t choose ignorance. Teach your children to identify creatures instead. That intimidating black snake in your yard? It’s likely a black rat snake, helping control the rodent population. We have several in our garden—no reason to harm them!
Invest in an identification guide and learn together as a family. If you’re unsure, take a picture of that creepy-crawly and ask someone knowledgeable (my partner often helps). You can turn this into a family project! Spend time exploring your backyard or local wilderness. Remember, even Einstein spent hours observing ants as a child.
Creepy-crawlies can provide valuable lessons about ecosystems, communication, and biology. My kids love catching bugs. Their excitement peaks when they find a click beetle or a rare velvet ant (which is actually a type of wasp).
Why eliminate the spiders that eat mosquitoes? Or the bats that consume them too? Even if you find a black widow, it’s simple to catch her safely with a cup and a piece of paper, then release her far away to live peacefully.
If you encounter a snake, instruct your kids to keep their distance. We don’t let our children mess with snakes they’re unfamiliar with, even if they’re non-venomous. If you can identify it, great; if not, send a picture to someone who knows. If it’s venomous, call a professional snake removal service instead of resorting to drastic measures. It’s worth noting that only a handful of people in the U.S. die from snake bites each year, often due to rare circumstances.
Ultimately, there’s little to fear from these creatures. Educate yourself and your children. Don’t pass down irrational fears. Let them appreciate nature—the snake for its role in the ecosystem, the spider for its intricate webs, and the ants for their communal lifestyle. Show them compassion. Allow these creatures to thrive. And if all else fails, simply walk away.
For more insights on family education and nature appreciation, check out our other blog posts at this link. You can also find great resources on fertility and home insemination at this site and here.
Summary:
It’s crucial to approach creepy-crawlies with understanding rather than fear. Educating ourselves and our children about these creatures can foster appreciation for nature and help dispel irrational fears. Through learning, we can teach our kids the value of all living beings, ultimately encouraging a more compassionate worldview.