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When you think of all that the world has to offer, what is it exactly that comes to mind? Do you think of all of the positive or fear the negative? Kind of a simple question when you think about it because of course you want to veer towards the positive. However, fear is placed within us everywhere if you pay attention closely, and how do you explain to the kiddos the topic you’re gasping over while watching the news? You want them to know happiness, love, compassion, but all the while there is murder, traumas, heartbreak, lies. It’s a tough thing.
I’ll never forget one morning I woke earlier than the kids and decided to plop down on the couch with my morning coffee to watch the news. I normally never do this. The TV is always off while I’m at home unless I’m trying to get Ava to wind down from a long day. Otherwise, my news source is what I can regulate, and that’s online. Anyway, this was recently, when OK was struck with the tornado, and while I originally read articles about it online, I couldn’t help but to see if anything new had come up overnight. There I was sitting there, tears running down my face when I suddenly saw my sweet little Ava walk around the corner into the living room. She instantly realized that I was crying, and without hesitation came up to me to ask what was wrong. So heartfelt and so meaningful.
I wiped the tears from my cheeks, and got up to turn off the TV and change the subject. “Ava, do you want me to make you something for breakfast?” In reply, she asked me, “Mama, why are you crying?” I honestly didn’t know what to say. How do I explain a natural disaster like a tornado, and that people, little people like her have been sent to heaven?
That’s when I sat her down, turned on the news and showed her. I told her that a big storm came and hurt a lot of people. It was a really windy tunnel that was powerful and no one could stop it. I left out the fact that many little souls went to heaven, but she did notice the school and asked me if the kids were there. I told her yes. Her little inquisitive mind had a ton of questions, all of which were mostly about the tornado and how it happens. I shared with her the best of my knowledge and explained to her that these things happen, like where we live, we have earthquakes. She hasn’t experienced one, so that went way over her head.
I sit and fathom sometimes how I’m ever going to protect them from all the bad, but I know in reality I can’t. We have all had to learn to deal with the good and the bad and the trials and tribulations life throws at us, but when it comes to your kids your heart sinks when you think of anything ever happening to them. I mean, I don’t know what I’m going to do when she comes home and tells me the first time a kid picks on her or calls her a name. I’m going to want to go beat the little turd up myself! Kidding, of course. Maybe.
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The world is a beautiful place in their eyes. They don’t know pain, frustration, and death like we do. They don’t know what really all happens and how it all happens, and that in my eyes that is the best thing for them while they’re young. They don’t need to know all the bad. They need positivity and good to build their confidence. They don’t need fear placed into their hearts. We already do that when we threaten time outs! I think back on that incident with Ava sometimes with regret. Did I do the wrong thing showing her what mama was upset about? Does she wonder if a big tunnel will come over her school while she’s there? She has never mentioned it since, but I do wonder. The world is a big, big place. Something for each individual to experience all on their own, but to learn, grow and play with their parents along the way. As long as we are teaching them the right ways of life, and lessons along the way, then I believe we are doing the right thing. As parents, we can only do the very best we can!
