In our household, we steer clear of the news. My kids are blissfully ignorant of commercials, celebrity controversies, local crimes—and the darker realities of the world.
I remember my grandmother saying, “I’ll never forget where I was when I learned Elvis had passed away.” Others have shared similar sentiments about the deaths of John Lennon, Martin Luther King, Jr., or even the closure of beloved diners and music venues. For me, the unforgettable moments are tied to events like 9/11, the Boston Marathon Bombings, and the terror of the Paris attacks.
During my childhood, my mother often left the television on for background noise. There was always a news anchor providing weather updates or announcing community happenings. Even after nearly 30 years, I can recite catchy jingles from local businesses from those Technicolor days. Back then, we didn’t fear what might come on the air because tragedies were not ubiquitous.
By opting not to expose my children to the news, I am intentionally shielding them from conversations surrounding terrorism and gun violence. They don’t need to be burdened with knowledge about Sandy Hook or the Paris attacks. There’s no need for them to be aware of the dangerous individuals who wish to harm us or that, upon reaching adulthood, they might be expected to enlist in the military to combat these threats abroad.
These harsh realities will inevitably become apparent as they grow. For now, I aim to delay those truths from infiltrating their innocent minds. Instead, they enjoy playing ninja games in the backyard and searching for fairies in the woods. To them, the scariest things are my meatloaf or the smell of their dad’s feet after a long day. Their fears of the dark stem more from the unknown; monsters exist only in their imaginations, far removed from the harsh truths of reality.
Fear is something they are learning about gradually. While they navigate their fears, my husband and I provide a buffer of confidence, courage, and resilience. We do this on our own terms, keeping the noise from the television and radio at bay to preserve our children’s view of a world that remains untouched by the real-life dangers that loom outside.
As a parent, my goal is to protect my children’s innocence for as long as possible in this unsettling modern world. I want them to roam freely in their imaginations, without the weight of gun-wielding extremists or horrifying fears about violence at school.
Thus, I keep the news turned off.
Every time I do tune in to local or national news—always after the kids have gone to bed—I am met with a barrage of horrifying stories about people inflicting harm on one another, from deadly school shootings to the aftermath of war, drowned refugee children on distant shores, and corrupt politicians and bankers causing harm. It’s enough to make anyone question if we’re living in the end times.
As a mother, I realize there’s only so much I can do to safeguard my kids’ childhood innocence from dangers beyond my control. Not allowing the media to amplify horrific events in our home feels like a simple and effective first step.
However, I know that eventually, my children will confront the reality of the world’s atrocities—that moment is unavoidable. I want to be the one to guide them through these discussions. They might hear about the Paris attacks or their classmates’ parents being in war zones. They will inevitably come home with questions about guns and the violent actions of others. Despite my best efforts, filtering out these stories is nearly impossible.
When my children approach me with their fears, I want to create a safe space for them to ask questions and have open conversations about these troubling topics, without the sensationalized narratives that often accompany news broadcasts. Just as we tackle sensitive discussions about sex and religion, the realities of domestic and foreign terrorism must come from us—the parents—not from a screen.
There’s a world filled with beauty, adventure, and lessons waiting to be discovered. For as long as I can, I want to limit the pain and sorrow that encroaches upon my children’s lives, allowing them to be fearless kids for just a little while longer.
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In summary, we choose to keep the news away from our home to protect our children’s innocence a little longer. As they grow, we’ll guide them through the tough conversations about the world, fostering understanding and resilience in a safe environment.
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