In our household, we deliberately avoid watching the news. My children remain blissfully ignorant of commercials, celebrity disputes, local crime, and the grim realities of the world.
I remember my grandmother saying, “I’ll always recall where I was when I learned of Elvis’s passing.” Many share similar sentiments about the deaths of iconic figures like John Lennon and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as significant cultural shifts. For me, the most haunting memories are tied to tragedies like 9/11, the Boston Marathon Bombings, and the Paris attacks.
During my childhood, my mother often left the television on as a source of background noise, with news anchors continuously reporting weather updates and community events. Even after nearly 30 years, I can still recite jingles from local businesses that played during those times. Back then, we didn’t worry about what might flash across the screen because calamity felt rare.
By steering clear of news broadcasts, I aim to shield my children from the national discourse surrounding terrorism and violence. They don’t need to hear about Sandy Hook or Paris, nor should they know that there are individuals out there intent on causing harm. They aren’t ready to learn that one day they could join the military to combat such threats overseas.
Those realities will arrive soon enough. Until then, I will do my best to delay their exposure to these harsh truths. Instead, they enjoy imaginative play in the backyard, hunt for fairies in the woods, and their biggest concerns revolve around my cooking or their dad’s smelly shoes. Their fears are centered on the dark and unknown, where monsters are mere figments of imagination, not realities.
As they navigate their fears, my husband and I instill lessons of confidence, bravery, and resilience, all while maintaining a barrier against the harsh narratives often found on television and radio. My role as a mother in this chaotic world is to preserve their childhood innocence for as long as possible. They can explore freely, without the looming threats of violence or terror.
Whenever I do tune into the news—after the kids are asleep—I’m confronted with a persistent stream of disturbing stories: tragic school shootings, the brutalities of war, images of refugee children, and corrosive actions by politicians. It’s enough to make anyone feel like we’re living in dire times.
While I can’t control every aspect of the world around them, keeping the media’s tragic narratives out of our home feels like a vital first step. However, I know the day will come when my children will inevitably confront these harsh realities. I want to be the one to guide them through these conversations, not the sensationalized news reports. They will hear about events like the Paris attacks from peers at school, and I want them to feel comfortable asking me questions about the violence and chaos they hear.
I believe it’s crucial to create a safe space for them to discuss their fears without the fear-mongering often associated with mainstream media. Just as we navigate difficult topics like sex and religion, discussions about terrorism—both domestic and foreign—should come from us, their parents, rather than a screen.
There’s a wealth of beauty, adventure, and life lessons waiting for them, and as long as I can, I want to shield them from the world’s troubles so they can remain fearless children just a little longer.
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Summary
In our home, we consciously avoid news broadcasts to protect our children’s innocence from the harsh realities of violence and terror. While the world can be filled with distressing events, we focus on fostering their imagination and confidence without external fear influences. As they grow, we’ll guide them through difficult conversations, ensuring they understand these complex issues in a supportive environment.