Whilst I want my children to be knowledgeable about the World in which they live, there is a massive amount of information which I withhold from the kids quite simply because I want to protect them for as long as possible from the sad fact that the planet on which they live has lost the plot.
Theres enough keeping our little ones awake at night never mind the possibility of global warming, nuclear disaster, war, terrorism or even apocalyptic disaster…Why on earth would I ever wish to inform or burden my children with unwarranted and unneeded anxiety, stress and fear for their own future?
There are certain questions that children pose to us parents that set the alarm bells ringing, there are certain topics that are quite frankly difficult to discuss. Whether it’s how babies are made to what happens when we die, they each need to be delicately dealt with. After all, how we chose to answer these questions could make a massive impact on the future as we are passing vital information onto the ‘next generation’.
What Is Terrorism?
Whilst eating our dinner around the table last week, perfectly timed as always J had an important question to ask me. “Mummy, What is terrorism?” he asked casually whilst dipping his fish finger into the river of ketchup on his plate.
How on earth do you answer that? How do you begin to explain such a complex, terrifying and heart wrenching topic like terrorism to a seven-year old?! I wasn’t sure myself and decided to stuff my mouth full of food to bide me some time before gently trying to explain that there are some nasty, horrid people living on our planet which are a french fry short of a happy meal and don’t always think logically nor sensibly.
I then stopped myself from going any further and enquired as to when and where exactly he had heard the term ‘terrorism’ and what was it that he wished to know? As it turned out J had been listening to the radio in the car and had heard the term ‘suspected terrorists’ and wanted to know what exactly they were suspected of doing.
Paul and I skirted around the topic for a while before reassuring J that he needn’t worry about terrorism. After all according to John Richardson he was more likely to die from eating too many sausages! Why the hell did I say that?! Seriously our children love sausages especially on a Sunday with veg and yorkshire puddings. Knowing my luck J will probably never eat another sausage again especially if it’s of the hot dog variety.
Thankfully we avoided any further questioning as J fancied leaving the table to play with his Lego and I for one was certainly not going to stop him. Seriously though, give it a few more months and he will probably ask again and I there’s no avoiding him finding out really as we live in a media rich World filled with sensation news stories specifically designed to set us on edge.
Switching Off
Twenty-four hours later Terrorism was once again in the headlines as tragedy struck London with an attack upon Westminster. I had of course read the news on the BBC news app where I now read all news related information. I refuse to have the radio playing whilst the children are present as I daren’t risk the kids listening to the news and getting themselves all wound up and stressed out over things beyond their control.
It isn’t that I’m choosing to switch-off nor is that I’m being ignorant to the tragedy of others as I will continue to read the news but I do not wish for it be blared through our house via the television or radio for little ears to listen to.
Where Is The Filter?
I realise that most people carry smart phones these days but why on earth social media was littered with images from the carnage in Westminster last week I have no idea. Why would you chose to share images of people suffering to share online?! I don’t understand… God forbid if I ever caught up in the middle of a terrorism attack the last thing on my mind would be to get my smart phone out and start snapping pictures!
I can totally understand that journalists and such like will be desperate to get to the scene to deliver the latest news upon whatever disaster may have happened, they are nothing but ambulance chasers desperate to get the cover story and to earn some commission. Really it’s quite disgusting and why on earth members of the public would wish to get coverage from their own phones, tablets and such like I have no idea!
We Are Not Afraid
I would like to round-up this post by paying my respects to all those affected by the London Terror Attacks, those families and friends that have lost loved ones, those children who will have lost a parent… It’s heart wrenching and totally unforgivable.
As far as I am concerned whatever death toll may have been announced on the media, they should never have included the lives of those behind the attack. I only wish that they had refrained from naming the person/people behind the attacks to spare them from gaining any kind of sick glory or recognition of any sort.
London and the UK must continue to stand strong, to ‘pop the kettle on for a cup of tea’ and to stick two fingers up to terrorism for nobody should have to live in fear nor will we choose to do so.
11 comments
A very difficult one to discuss with children, the reality is, it is scary. I have a couple of years before my daughter will really be aware of these things… not sure what i will say #tuesdaytreasures
I am dreading the day that I have to explain terrorism to my son. How I am ever going to explain without scaring him too much I don’t know. Sure it’s a different world to the one I grew up in but I don’t want him being overly worried. #tuesdaytreasure
I know the world has changed 🙁
It is difficult isn’t it. I have two children that are old enough to understand a little and one that’s too young to really understand. You need to know what to do if you are caught up in a terrorist situation but it’s also very scary to think about. I do find it all overwhelming, but worst of all I hate all the arguing and nasty stuff that goes on Social Media after such an event. As for taking photos, that’s just awful. Yes, get your phone out and tell your loved ones you are ok, but don’t take pics of those that are not.
I dread the day that mine are old enough to start to ask questions, I want them to hold on to their innocence for as long as possible. How do you explain it to children when you can’t get your head around it yourself and you’re an adult!
I do think that the availability of the information now fuels it, it fuels the fear behind it and it is now all you see and hear on the news.
I said to my husband the when the Westminster incident happened – what a world we live in that when someone is running people down in a car and stabbing the innocent the first thing many do is take out their phone and record it! If you’re going to stop and look then help, put your phone away and help! It is a shame.
It’s disgusting isn’t it
I dread the day that mine are old enough to start to ask questions, I want them to hold on to their innocence for as long as possible. How do you explain it to children when you can’t get your head around it yourself and you’re an adult!
I do think that the availability of the information now fuels it, it fuels the fear behind it and it is now all you see and hear on the news.
I said to my husband the when the Westminster incident happened – what a world we live in that when someone is running people down in a car and stabbing the innocent the first thing many do is take out their phone and record it! If you’re going to stop and look then help, put your phone away and help! It is a shame. #TuesdayTreasures
Phones should be banned in life changing situations, they are not appropriate!
Hard times, and something that we must deal with all too often it seems. My five year old is still pretty oblivious to the world at large and I’d like to keep her that way for as long as possible. I know though, that these conversations are coming and I need to be prepared for them. Great post Rachel. #tuesdaytreasures
Thanks Jeremy much appreciated x
It’s a tough one, you want to protect them but also know that you can’t protect them from the horror that happens in the world forever. I think it’s all about finding the right way to explain in a way that children can understand. We don’t ever have the news on and I avoid having it on my timelines as much as possible, it’s too easy to tie yourself in knots about the state of the world. As for people who share such pictures there really are no words. Great post Rach x