Among the many things we worry about as parents, I never thought that crocodiles would be high on the list. And then I moved to East Timor.
With any big life decision or transition there are risks and trade-offs. We knew that our family would be faced with a new set of health concerns by choosing to move to a faraway tropical island. But, we also believed that the trade offs would be worth it and the challenges manageable.
And so, we kicked into preparation mode – stocking up on regular and just-in-case medicines, soliciting advice from other experienced families, consulting medical types and health guides. We were immunized against Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid and Rabies (at a family cost of $5,000! Thankfully reimbursed, but still). We cleared out a local store’s supply of bug spray and loaded up on sunscreen and other protective gear. We were as ready as we could be.
As we settled into our new home, our initial headline concerns soon faded as the practicalities of the day-to-day routine took over. Though the potential risks differ, in terms of practical actions the daily process of slathering our kids in mozzie spray and SPF-50 is not so different from bundling up the little ones to brave a cold winter day. It just becomes part of life.
Mosquito-borne illnesses are our biggest worry here – Dengue Fever and Malaria are common and can be particularly scary for kids. We decided against long-term anti-malarial drugs for our family and instead rely on regular use of mosquito repellent in various forms. It’s a pain sometimes, and it would be easy to get lazy, but you just can’t. (It also helps that I’m good at delegating…ie. my kind husband usually handles this unpleasant task).
A number of adults we know have recently recovered from nasty bouts of Dengue, though fortunately none of the kids have been affected. As parents we are extra vigilant when it comes to our children, though it seems to me that we often don’t take care of ourselves in the same way. I know I’m guilty of this.
We are also really careful about water – using bottled water at home and exercising caution when eating out. Yet it is still hard to control everything. In our early days I frequently felt like the broken-record bath police: “Don’t drink the bath water! You’ll get sick!”
(Now we just toss in some Dettol and trust that they know the drill by now). But, it’s not always easy for the kids to get their heads around our seemingly arbitrary rules.
On the spectrum of parental worrying, I fall somewhere in the middle. I do my best to control what I can and try not to waste too much energy fretting about things I can’t do anything about. I like to let my kids be kids and know that there will be bumps and bruises (both literal and figurative) along the way.
However, I am also painfully aware of how very fortunate we are. I have access to and can afford safe drinking water, healthy food, vitamins and medicines. I’m not likely to be affected by many of the preventable diseases that are common here. If I’m not feeling well, I have the cash to visit one of the international doctors. If I fall seriously ill, I will likely be evacuated to a nearby country with better health facilities. This is not the case for the majority of Timorese.
So far we have been very lucky health-wise. On balance, the kids have actually had fewer illnesses and ailments here than they did at home. But, you still have to keep your guard up.
And then there are the crocs…
East Timor’s creation myth tells the story of a crocodile that overcame his nature and returned the kindness shown to him by a young boy who saved his life. When the crocodile died it became the island of Timor. The symbol of the “grandfather” crocodile can be seen everywhere – from traditional art to company logos and sporting mascots.
It’s a lovely story, but I have no desire to come face to face with one of these sharp-toothed beasts myself. In my trusty (though very slender) Timor guide-book, the crocodile entry mostly dismisses this risk, advising travelers to take croc sightings with a grain of salt: “for all the talk about crocs, not many Timorese have seen them.”
Okay…but lots of people have been seeing them lately – along the Dili waterfront, at close-in dive spots, and at one of our favorite beach hangouts. More than usual, it seems. In a place with limited recreation options, it’s a shame to have to restrict our activities. But, in this case, it just isn’t worth the risk.
Whether coping with crocodiles or dealing with child-proofing, we all do the best we can to keep our kids safe. Whether it’s at home, in others’ homes, at school, or out in the world. In Dili, Delhi or Des Moines.
What’s your experience?
This is an original post to World Moms Blog by Shaula Bellour in East Timor. Shaula can also be found on her blog, Notes From a Small World.
Photo credit to Shaula Bellour.
Hi Shaula,
I think I’m a somewhere in the middle possibly leaning towards let-them-break-a-leg- then-worry sort of Mum, but I don’t have to worry about Dengue Fever or crocodiles! Thanks for this post, often, with our older children, we discuss the fact that the poorest Kiwis are amongst the richest people in the world. It is so easy for us to forget the realities that many many people face each day, and how frustrating for the Timorese (and other) mothers who can’t afford decent health care for their children or don’t have a government who can provide it.
My daughter’s class this year is going to be studying challenges and risks faced by children around the world. You’ve given me a great place to start the discussion – thanks!
My daughter’s class this year is going to be studying challenges and risks faced by children around the world. You’ve given me a great place to start the discussion – thanks!
I personally know how scary it is. My son had Dengue in August. We spent an entire week in fear. That was the time we also moved to a different locality.
Dengue spreads through mosquitos. I use mountains of mosquito repellant creams, have installed a water distilling unit at home, use dettol copiously after that incident. I did all this too earlier, but there was always a random day when one of these was forgotten.
Better safe than sorry. So, we now make a great deal of all this here.
Take care of your loved one.
Good grief, Alchemist, that’s dreadful: what an awful time for you. I hope he’s OK now.
Yes Kloppenmum, thanks for asking. He is the epitome of good health now. But we had a scary week back then. You know, added to such hazards, how hard it would be to stay cautious of a croc..
This sounds really scary! I am not a fan of crocs. I only want to see them on tv.
You’re right that each place comes with its own dangers. Avoiding crocs is something most foreigners are not prepared for I’m sure.
This sounds really scary! I am not a fan of crocs. I only want to see them on tv.
You’re right that each place comes with its own dangers. Avoiding crocs is something most foreigners are not prepared for I’m sure.
Have you fitted your house with net screens at windows and doors? That’s the first thing I did when we moved to our new home and the ‘Attack of the Mozzies’ became too much to bear. This way you can leave the windows open for a bit of fresh air, yet be protected from the mosquitoes.
Just now logging in…thanks for taking the time to comment. Alchemist – so sorry to hear about your son. Hope he’s doing well and your new location is better. Despite our efforts, we still get the occasional bite and cross our fingers – it only takes one! We have screens but mostly keep our house closed to keep it cool. The kids are outside a lot, so that’s the biggest concern. And those crocs, yikes!
Yes, he is fine now. Thanks 🙂
I had a dream yesteraday, that there was a new perfumed flavor of dettol which keeps away crocs. Motherhood… and its dreams..! lol..
Ha – I love it!
Just now logging in…thanks for taking the time to comment. Alchemist – so sorry to hear about your son. Hope he’s doing well and your new location is better. Despite our efforts, we still get the occasional bite and cross our fingers – it only takes one! We have screens but mostly keep our house closed to keep it cool. The kids are outside a lot, so that’s the biggest concern. And those crocs, yikes!
Shaula,
Here, in New Jersey, USA, mosquitoes are spreading West Nile like disease. I really don’t know that much about it, but it seems to kill birds. It’s almost impossible not to get bit though!
And, the other thing we look out for is Lymes Disease from deer ticks. There are deer that roam around our yards and parks in my town. The deer don’t bother anyone (except for certain plants and flowers), but they can carry the ticks around. So, after going to the parks, we have to check kids (and ourselves!) for ticks, little black bugs. We have nothing like crocodiles to watch out for though!!
I enjoy reading about your experiences! 🙂
Veronica Samuels
Reminds me of our family trip to Zihuatanejo, Mexico, where there were crocs on the beach. We knew they came from the river but didn’t think that they’d enter the salt water ocean. So we swam freely all week long, tossing our bite-sized nieces back and forth through the water. Towards the end of our trip, we took a hike up the hillside, looked down at the beach and saw two dark ominous croc-shapes in the water very close to people swimming! We found out later that although attacks were rare warnings were hushed so as not to dissuade tourists! Yikes!
Living in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, my concern is getting caught in the middle of a shooting or becoming a victim of carjacking. So to stay safe, we just don’t go out driving around town. At least not with me alone w/ two kids strapped into hard-to-unbuckle-in-an-emergency car seats. This experience has made me less concerned about my kids eating sand or getting sunburn or climbing stairs. Hopefully, it has not made me too careless in other hazardous areas of my kids’ lives.
Thanks Dee – scary Mexico tale (though love the bite-sized niece tossing image). Even scarier (to me) is navigating daily life in CJ. So glad you are staying safe (and off to an exciting new post soon). I too feel less concerned about the more minor things, though it could be a twin mama thing too. Only so much we can worry about!
Thanks Veronica! I’ve heard about Lyme Disease, but thankfully haven’t ever had to worry about it. But ticks…not a fan!
Eeek! I’m afraid just READING about the crocs! Don;t let my kids hear (See?) that, because I want them to be strong. And brave. And generally Eeek-less. But seriously: Eeek!
I love reading about your experiences and what i would consider your adventures. but my favorite line of all? Is this:
I do my best to control what I can and try not to waste too much energy fretting about things I can’t do anything about. I like to let my kids be kids and know that there will be bumps and bruises (both literal and figurative) along the way.
It’s genius. And I strive to be just like you here.
Just for good measure, one more Eeek! for the road. 🙂 Great post!
Thanks so much Galit! Our kids aren’t nearly as eek-filled as we are – filing sea crocs in the same ‘scary creature’ category as dinosaurs and dragons. But still, they are pretty good at taking our warnings seriously when it’s a no-swimming beach day. Instead we fill our lives with sand…lots and lots of sand:)
Eeek! I’m afraid just READING about the crocs! Don;t let my kids hear (See?) that, because I want them to be strong. And brave. And generally Eeek-less. But seriously: Eeek!
I love reading about your experiences and what i would consider your adventures. but my favorite line of all? Is this:
I do my best to control what I can and try not to waste too much energy fretting about things I can’t do anything about. I like to let my kids be kids and know that there will be bumps and bruises (both literal and figurative) along the way.
It’s genius. And I strive to be just like you here.
Just for good measure, one more Eeek! for the road. 🙂 Great post!