Scene: The family car.
Me: “Why are all the flags at half-mast?”
Mr. B: “Ah, you didn’t see the news yet.”
SG piping up from the back seat: “What are you guys talking about?”
Do you tell them anything???
I’ve read many articles about this on parenting blogs lately because there has been such a plethora of events of disgusting hatred and violence. I like this one best. The thing is, I want my own child to feel that the world is safe and relatively predictable. I want her to sleep well at night and learn and have fun during the day. Maybe that’s not “reality,” but I’m ok protecting her childhood for as long as I can.
As we watched fireworks on July 4, I found myself telling SG why we celebrate. I told her how we have the opportunity to do anything and be anyone in America. How we celebrate diversity and are a melting pot of unique people and cultures that add up to a rich blend of strengths and stories. I told her that our country is often a respite for others who are not able to practice their religion where they came from. I told her about immigrants looking for a better life here because they can earn a living and care for their family. I spouted off all the ideals of America and everything I wish were true.
Ah, America. Our less-than-ideal country that we insist on celebrating with fireworks and turkey dinners. The place where anyone can purchase insane weaponry to use against their fellow citizens. Where we can’t make personal decisions about our own body without street protest from random strangers. Where the 2 top presidential candidates are hated and the entire race is a farce. Where one human being turns against another because of their beliefs, their skin color, their religion… those very same demographics our country was established to celebrate. Where you don’t know if the next violence will occur at your neighborhood Walmart, a movie theatre, your kids’ school, or on the very same road you’re driving on.
I hope such violence is the exception because I believe in the ideals of our country, though I am discouraged and disappointed and the first to spout off sarcastic comments about our materialism, greed, and short-sightedness. I plan to continue to gloss over such hatred and lack of unity in my discussions with my daughter. Maybe when she’s older, we will talk about it. Maybe not.
I love the the post but especially the last two paragraphs…so well said Naomi…the world is going to crazy and the United States seems to be leading the parade…but I’m still going to be optimistic…in that, we can turn ourselves around. You, me and hopefully a whole lot more. I honestly believe that we have to get guns off the street. Every other civilized country does not have weapons like we do…actually, we lead the charge their also…and it wasn’t always like this…When I was young and then a young mother, it was very rare to see, or read about random shootings…I hope we have gone as low as we can go…and now we have only one way to go and that is up….
I love how you write, especially about your thoughts, feelings and your daughter…she is so blessed with a Mom like you…
Oh, Cheryl, thank you so much. I hope all of your words come true too.
I remember vividly when I lost my childhood innocence. I was in 1st grade, it was evening, and I was alone in front of our black and white television set, changing channels (there were 4 to choose from back then), looking for something to watch. I stumbled upon PBS, thinking a children’s program might be on. But what I saw change me forever.
It was a documentary about Hitler and the Holocaust. Images of Jewish inhumanity flashed by, stacks of dead bodies, piles of shoes, collections of glasses and false teeth… you get the picture. It’s one that still turns the stomachs of people of all ages, let alone a 7 year old looking for something entertaining to watch on TV.
Keep your kids from the atrocities of modern living. Watch over their innocence for as long as you think they are not ready for the mean truths of living in a violent world. I think its just as damaging and life-changing or worse, seeing it second-handedly on TV, or hearing about it from the adults they put their trust in, to keep them safe, than it is living through what’s really happening. Now we have 100s of channels to flip through. Don’t let your little one push a button that can change her life too soon. But have a Plan B, when she hears about current events from a peer who saw something or heard something.
Great advice.