Overprotective parents with animals

What a shame. Yes, I’ve known the odd parent who’s convinced her child that all animals are ‘dirty’, inc. one who wouldn’t even let her dd stroke a rabbit at some event where they were there for young children to stroke.
I also feel so sorry for children whose parents pass on their fear or anxiety about dogs, so that they’re petrified of even the friendliest dog.

I used to live a few doors down from a family that were paranoid about germs. They had a little boy same age as mine (2), and I could see into their back garden. Mine was out in all weathers, digging up garden with me, making mud pies and stomping in puddles.

Their poor little boy ALWAYS went in to the garden in apron and rubber gloves and wellingtons even in height of summer. Not that that happened often. He was so pale, asthmatic and always ill. not surprised really. I wonder what happened to him, hope he’s hale and hearty.

No she’s my daughter inlaw, also not keen in animals, my daughter is the other way, has dogs and she loves them 🐶

This is your daughter?
I wonder what made her so anxious?

It’s brought up on a farm so used to a variety of animals. I too think it’s sad that parents influence their children to such an extent, even causing them to be anxious and afraid of nature. It doesn’t bode well for them, later in life.

I think that’s terribly sad. My aunt was like this with my two lovely cousins!

Particularly as “dirt” = “germs” and animals = “dirt”

As the children grew older and more independent, in their teens, they did get much less anxious and scared and we had a dog whom they quite liked along with my hamster.

I never liked visiting my aunty, her house was completely immaculate and I felt nervous I would spill a crumb!

It is a shame that the children are frightened of insects and spiders. As to dogs ... a healthy wariness is to be encouraged for their safety and well bing.

I find that quite sad, to be honest. Surely it's much better to teach children to love nature and animals (but also how to behave around animals). And they also need to be outside in the fresh air and enjoying nature to build up their own natural immunity to things in general.