Childhood Confession: I Was Afraid of Something So Silly

Most of us were afraid of something when we were little. A lot of times, that fear was common, like that monster in the closet that you always had your parents check for or that chair with a pile of clothes on it that looked like a a witch or some for creature as soon as you turn the lights out.

Sometimes, our fears made sense like our fear of the dark. Other times they didn’t make any sense at all and maybe the adults in our lives or our older selves many years later would shake their heads, perplexed.

I remember one particular incident when I was five and was afraid of something that I find, now, many years later to be quite silly. I’m sure my mom thought it was silly and got a good laugh out of it too!

The Incident

When I was five, my mom took me to a petting zoo that primarily had miniature horses as well as other farm animals. There was also a show with ponies too.

We stopped in the gift shop first thing. I remember typical things you’d find in a gift shop — T-shirts, mugs, magnets with your name on them, and postcards. I stayed close as my mom browsed the gift shop. A few minutes later I was a few feet away wandering around looking at the many odd and end souvenir gifts, but still within my mom’s sight, when she called me over.

I came over, thinking it was time to go and we could be on our way to look at the horses and other farm animals.

Well, not quite.

As soon as I came about ten feet away from the counter, the lady behind the desk held up some for device and gave a warm smile. Little five year old me wasn’t really sure what it was.

All of a sudden, I stepped back very unsure and afraid. I was quiet and shy as it was as a kid already.

My mom did her best to reassure me that it was okay. As she spoke, she held out her hand to show me a picture of a horse and some lettering on the top of her hand.

I shook my head fast and ran behind one of the souvenir shelves. Whatever it was, I wanted nothing to do with it.

You’re probably laughing right now and quite honestly, I am too as I write this.

Really, kid?

Eventually, my mom was able to coax me out from behind the shelf and I got my hand stamped for proof of admission.

That’s it! That’s what I was afraid of.

Sometimes, a child’s mind is quite peculiar and when they have a wild imagination like I did, they can come to the craziest conclusions.

Thinking back, I’m not really sure why I was so afraid of getting my hand stamped that I decided it would be best to hide behind a shelf of souvenirs. Maybe I thought it would hurt. Or more likely, maybe it was just the unfamiliarity of it. It was probably my first time ever getting my hand stamped. Well, that I remember.

As soon as I got my hand stamped, I was okay. As we left the gift shop and ventured into the park, I stared at the horse stamped on my hand in awe. I actually thought it was kind of cool.

I wasn’t afraid to get my hand stamped anymore after that.

I think this childhood memory might be a good reminder to be patient with children if they are afraid of something that might sound a little silly to you. Especially if they're trying something new or experiencing something for the first time.