Children learn from your behavior and reactions.
I have personally experienced the difference and seen how kids react. If the ground starts shaking and the parent freaks out, the kids will too. If the same shaker has another parent saying “Great! How cool! Let’s ride it like a surfboard!” …well, the children are not anywhere near as nervous and fearful as when the parent (or any of the Big People) demonstrate (and thus teach) fear.
Respect is good. Fun is better.
