My brave kiddos

So....call me a crazy mom but, I can't stand when my kids are scared for no reason. I hate them having unfounded fears. I think this might go back to my own childhood and all but...I just can't stand it. Tonight, Brian wanted to see the bird that I have had for years. So, I put the cat in the bathroom (yeah I know...it's a freaking zoo over here) and got the bird out and of course....the kids come out and see what the noise is about. So, I ask if they want to hold the bird and of course....they are scared. So, I brib them...I say I will give you ten bucks a piece if you hold the bird. Well...Gabby is first and she just does it. Zander is a little scared but he does it pretty quickly. Christian is terrified and doesnt' want to do it. So we explain that that is fine but we don't want him coming out and whinning to us about it later. So...he comes out with a long sleeve shirt on and does it too.
This same thing is the reason that I want the kids to have swimming lessons. I am terrified of the water. I have been pulled out of the water twice and I am so scared to be in water any higher than my chest. I don't want that for my kiddos though. I just quitely panic inside and clap the whole time.
I think this is the best thing to do. I don't want to be like the Pink Floyd song. I think it's called Mother. "Mother will you put all your fears into me", I think that is how it goes. Any thoughts oh wise friends of mine. Oh yeah....hope you like the pics...they aren't the greatest but my baby is buying me a digital camera so pretty soon I will have much better pics to post.