The last time I watched CNN, as much as I did last week ,was in December when the horrific Newtown shootings occurred. I was beyond devastated. This time, details about a new tragedy consumed my television screen and I sat there wondering, “What is this world coming to?”
Last week, the tragic series of events in Boston struck a painful cord with all of us. I think we all went home and held our loved ones a little bit tighter. Those nights, we all kept Boston in our thoughts and prayers (and we still do).
When events like this occur – which is far too often these days – I find myself thinking about my children. Fortunately, my little ones are too young to ask questions about this type of thing. My daughter can’t even talk yet and my son is far more concerned with the Backyardigans than the details of the news. But what will I say when they can ask questions? How will I explain the evil that exists in this world? And most importantly, how will I explain it without placing fear in their tiny little hearts?
I am not quite sure what I’ll say when my kids require an explanation, but I do know one thing — I refuse to raise children who live in fear. If they want to get on a plane, I am all for it. If they want to travel abroad, I will encourage their curiosity. And if they want to run a marathon one day, no matter where it is, I will be at the finish line waiting and cheering.
I know it’s so hard to raise our kids without fear, in an age where random acts of violence and terrorism are commonplace, but we have to do our best. If we hover over our children and discourage them from living life fully because we want to keep them safe, we are certainly doing them a disservice. Hovering puts kids at a disadvantage because one day we won’t be around to hover and our kids need to know what to do without us. Discouraging our children from participating in certain activities because we are worried simply gives the enemy power over how much our children enjoy life.
As parents, I urge us all to remember that we are responsible for raising children who are wise, vigilant, and possess good judgment. However, let’s also remember that we are also responsible for raising children who embrace life, enjoy new experiences, and treat the people they encounter with kindness.
When these tragedies occur it certainly makes us all take pause, and that is normal. However, we can’t let the evilness around us dictate how we live our lives, or how we teach our children to live theirs. If we do that, they win, and I’m sure you are with me when I say, “We cannot let them win.”
BMWK Family, How do events, like those in Boston last week, affect how you raise your children?
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