In today’s world, processing the challenges we face can be overwhelming. From violent tragedies to political turmoil, it feels as though the news is filled with heart-wrenching stories. As a parent, I’ve found myself navigating these turbulent emotions in front of my children. They see me reading articles, shedding tears, and writing in an effort to advocate for change in our society.
Is it right to shield our kids from the harsh realities of life for just a bit longer, or should we prepare them for the world they inhabit? I often find myself torn between these two perspectives. Typically, I try to filter information, ensuring they don’t grow up with the notion that bad things never happen.
When they inquire, “Why are you crying, Mom?” after witnessing my emotional response to another tragic news story, I tend to reply, “Some people died, and it makes me sad.”
What I truly think: A gunman took 49 lives at a gathering.
What I truly think: A child was dragged underwater by an alligator.
What I truly think: Kids went to school and didn’t return home.
What I truly think: Why are automatic weapons so prevalent?
What I truly think: Where has our compassion gone?
However, I keep these thoughts to myself for now. I know that one day, when they are older, I will share more of the complexities of these events. For now, they understand that I’m sad about loss and that the world can be unsafe. That feels sufficient for the moment.
Yet, there are instances when I abandon my protective instincts. Recently, during a camping trip, our site was adjacent to a swiftly flowing river, swollen from the melting snow. I made the conscious choice to alarm my children with eerie stories about rivers—tales of kids and adults being swept away by powerful currents. I went against my usual practice of withholding details.
After my storytelling, my youngest, staring at me with wide eyes, asked, “Did the kids die?” To which I replied, “Yes.”
While I knew this would instill fear and shake her innocence, I hoped it would also keep her cautious near the water if I ever took my eyes off her. I needed her to understand the potential dangers.
Despite my attempts at shielding them, I believe our kids are more aware than we realize. They live in a world where schools conduct drills for potential active shooter situations and buckle their seat belts without a second thought. Mine even know how to react when encountering wildlife like bears or mountain lions. Most importantly, mine now know to yell if they see a friend approaching that rushing river.
We can only protect our children to a certain extent. Soon enough, they will be the ones making decisions and shaping the world. I sincerely hope they can do better than we have in recent times.
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In summary, while it’s necessary to protect our children from the world’s harsh reality for a time, we must also prepare them to face it. Striking the right balance between awareness and innocence is a challenge, but ultimately, they will need to navigate their own paths.