posted March 21, 2009 07:09 PM         

He is madly fascinated with it at the moment after taking him to the plant nursery yesterday.

He asked me to google it, which of course I did, however, the answer is not something that I'm inclined to tell him........

This is what one website had to say.....

quote:

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The true reason that Venus is part of this plant's name due to the dirty minds of the kooky naturalists and nuserymen (such as John & William Bartram, Peter Collinson, William Darlington, Arthur Dobbs, John Ellis, and Daniel Solander). When they looked at the plant, they saw in its amazing behavior and attractive form (two red, glistening lobes, surrounded by hairs, sensitive to the touch), something that reminded them of female genitalia of their own species. Indeed!

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quote:

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The rude interpretation of the plant was eventually translated into Latin, which commemorates both Venus (the goddess of Love and Sex!!), and also the plant's capturing capabilities. But it is important to observe that the specific name, "muscipula" does not mean flytrap. That would be "muscicapa." The Latin muscipula means mousetrap! So when Ellis chose the Latin genus and species epithets, he chose something to recall forever the notion of the love-goddess' grasping device that captures unwary little mammals. You nasty man!

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Oh dear.....Perhaps I should tell him it is called Venus because it has beautiful flowers?

posted March 21, 2009 07:29 PM         

"The name "Venus" refers to the Greek goddess of Love. Many people often say that love is a trap because people will do anything for it, and in this case, it is a deadly one! It is not people who are in love this time, but the poor little insects. Most Venus fly traps have a lovely, red "mouth" which is extremely appealing to flies and other bugs, even small animals such as frogs. However, when they get just a bit too close, they trigger little hairs on the inside of the trap and it snaps shut. What seemed so alluring just moments ago, now has brought those insects to their death. I can only suppose that the person who named the plant did not have very good experiences with love!"

Found it on Wikianswers..Lol I cheated, sue me XD.

posted March 22, 2009 12:12 AM         

AG

I will not let my 8yr old son google anything at this point in time.....You know what kind of stuff is likely to come up no matter how innocent seeming the words are & certainly don't want to be faced with answering THOSE questions anytime soon lol.

PA

He's a Capricorn male with a Gemini Moon, I can only wish that he would be satisfied with that kind of answer. ROFL never happen.

I still haven't given him an answer yet, lol.

posted March 22, 2009 12:14 AM         

If it can work on my little man with his five planets in Aqua, it'll work on anyone.

The other thing is let it go and just pray that he forgets he even asked it.

posted March 22, 2009 12:19 AM         

My boy never forgets his questions. Right now he is distracted with his replacement Harry Potter dvd. So I'm good for a couple of hours.

posted March 22, 2009 12:35 AM         

If you were me a stampede of wilderbeast couldn't stop you.

posted March 22, 2009 11:52 AM         

Then let him come up with it and say; Gee, i think youre right son!! That must be where it got it's name. Youre like Sherlock Holmes or something!

posted March 22, 2009 12:55 PM         

In my judgement, he is old enough to know the truth.

And there are far more grizzly truths than this one.

Don't amputate his intellect so casually.

Let him come to know the world in its complexity,
before he forms ridiculous and puerile notions
that may endure for the rest of his life.

Who knows, this may be an opportunity to talk to your child;
to get to know him and to let him get to know you and your thoughts.

Don't just look for an easy way out of it.

posted March 22, 2009 01:14 PM         

I have far too much awareness of the responsibility involved to think that I have a right to be a parent.

I think it is a full time job, and not one which every person is cut out to do well.

It's too bad people don't have to apply to be a parent, the way you apply for a job or a loan.

And that parents can only get "fired" after they completely traumatize their kids.

posted March 22, 2009 01:20 PM         

Didnt realize he was 8. I'm not sure if he's ready for the whole truth at that age, but maybe part of it? I dont think it would hurt to ask him to think about the name of the plant, what he associates with it and where it may have come from. Not so sure he's ready to hear the explanations given above. But i wouldnt laugh and tell him he can find out when he gets older. He'll probably then hop on the internet and look it up later on.

posted March 22, 2009 01:21 PM         

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_Flytrap

http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=8&chapter=1

posted March 22, 2009 01:54 PM         

At the young age of eight, I'd still be more concerned with his imagination than his intellect. I think an eight year old needs myth more than cold, unadulterated science.

Children are allowed a childhood for such a short amount of time, ripped from their dreamlike existence too soon.

posted March 22, 2009 04:56 PM         

quote:

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It's too bad people don't have to apply to be a parent, the way you apply for a job or a loan.

And that parents can only get "fired" after they completely traumatize their kids.

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You have it right on there! My thoughts exactly.

And sadly very apt in our case....

I know children need to be told about these issues in a truthful manner. My boy is so much like I was as a child always asking the 'why' of things. My mother chose to answer my questions with "Y is a crooked letter & you can't straighten it" Which only ****** me off.

On the other hand, I have to take my son's development & life events into consideration. He has been traumatized by many factors & I have only managed to get him into a "normal" childhood state these last few months, where he feels safe & loved.

So I have to pick & choose the things I tell him but not fob him off with inane answers. The last thing I want to do is dampen his enthusiasm for knowledge. He is a very bright boy who thinks about things very deeply & can be quite emotional.

Thank you for your answer. In my opinion it shows that you would make a great father one day.