our kids' fears...or ours?

sometimes the things our kids do that we think are so strange are actually a reflection of our own fears or actions. i know one child who will not eat anything unless her mom makes it for her. i'm now wondering if that stems from her mom teaching her not to take food and things from strangers or something like that. or maybe not. that thought came to mind today as kyra was eating a non-edible object off the floor and i responded by saying, "we don't eat stuff off the floor." and then quickly added, "or things that aren't food." after i say things like that to her, i wonder how she processed it, since she's absorbing everything i say into that little brain of hers. it just makes me try to be more careful how i phrase things. dids don't know that monsters are scary unless we tell them that. they don't know what scary is or that people don't laugh at things that are "scary". this is a drawback to having older siblings...they pass on their fears and dislikes just by voicing them. so from the moment that kid pops out we should be pumping positive thoughts and cheer into their heads. granted, they will eventually form their own opinions of things, but it all starts with us.