I feel those same feelings of anxiety as an adult. As the planes crashed into the Twin Towers all those years ago, I was consumed with fear. As Hubby went off to work in Bali after the bombings, I cried. As I watched the devastation of the floods in Queensland earlier this year, I wept and mourned for all those lives lost. I couldn’t fathom the damage, the homes, the people, the children… it was impossible to process.
As news came in on the earthquakes in Christchurch almost three weeks ago, I shook my head and wondered what the world was coming to.
And just last week as the earthquakes and tsunami hit Japan, I slumped in disbelief. Beyond devastation. Beyond comprehension. Heartbroken.
I asked my usually stoic and comforting husband, “Do you wonder what’s next? Does it feel like it’s end of the world to you too?”
He nodded.
I know Lacey is so little, and she doesn’t need to know anything at all. I can’t help but wonder though, as she grows {and if the devastation continues} what do we tell them? Do we let them see the news? How do we make them feel safe when we’re beyond scared ourselves?
Bella was very concerned when the floods hit in Queensland, we told her it had just rained a lot & the houses got wet. Now when we watch the news I think she just thinks its the same place because she doesn't ask much questions. Even though people think toddlers don't understand they do.
They worry just like us especially if we start to show worry.
I know its hard to try to tell them whats happening but a little bit of information wont hurt.
I've felt much the same. My kids know what has happened but they don't understand its devastating impact. I just try to give them facts when they ask for them. I remember watching 2012 last year and thinking what a truly horrible movie it was. Now I can't help but see it somewhat differently.
We live in Brisbane and we chose to leave to stay with family just before the floods hit. I was/am pregnant and really ill with morning sickenss and hubs is army so spent the next month rescuing and helping others so couldnt really help us if we needed it.
We told 4yr DD that we were going on holidays, but unfortunately she was too smart for that. She was deeply affected by seeing suburbs and streets we know so well destroyed and everytime it rains she panics it will flood again.
I honestly dont know how to handle the events that have happened since, earthquakes,tsunamis, cyclones and her having (thank God not her father at the moment) god father serving in Afghan.
What do you say? How much do you lie and say its ok? How much should we censor and if the world keeps going the way it is, is it better to try to prepare them?
Its something I would love answers to and I look forward to reading what other people say/feel :o)
I kept the TV news off this past weekend. It's too much for my five-year-old to take in … too much devastation week after week this year. His imagination was starting to bring fear with it.
To be honest, Mr Fussy and I never really considered what the Darlings were absorbing from the news. We often have it on during dinner or at their bedtime because we are strapped for time. Then Mr Fussy read an article that talked about how damaging it is for children to view/listen to news about war, death, destruction. We decided then to turn off the tv (we can now watch ABC 24 and catch up on news later), and instead show the Darlings important news in the newspaper. This way we don't isolate them, but censor what they are exposed to.
Good question.
It's so hard. Especially when it's everywhere you turn.
I remember the Victorian fires. They were the year my first son was born. It was stinking hot here too. We weren't keen to go out, so we sat inside and everytime we turned the tv on there was news of devestation. Pictures of fires tearing across Victoria and people weeping. Images of burnt, scared land and people. And my daughter, four at the time, adding the word 'firestorm' to her vocab.
We tried to talk to her, but she didn't fully understand. It was hard to keep it from her, seeing as though it was everywhere. She witnessed the floods. She didn't ask many questions. We talked about how we could help them, not so much what was happening.
I ask myself the same question in these times.
it scares me, i can't imagine what it does to our over imaginative little ones! they know much more than we ever think too… so i always think you need to sensor just HOW much exposure they get to death and devastation!
x my thoughts are with those that have been affected
I don't know if it makes me a bit lacking or something, but I don't think this way. I think that awful things just happen to good people and to bad. There is no rhyme or reason, it just is. It makes me cherish the good even more.
When my son (who unlike his mum is MEGA prone to anxiety) expressed fear over the recent floodings, I just reassured him that sometimes really horrible things happen sometimes so that people get to practice being superheroes. And that's a very good thing indeed. x
I feel the same way. But if the world really is going to an end, there's nothing much we can do to stop it.
I know it's a very scary thing to realize.. so I guess the only option we have now is to enjoy life while we can, because who know what's gonna happen tomorrow?
xo
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I don't have children, but I remember as a small child being afraid to open my wardrobe in case an IRA bomb went off in it when I did. Don't ask me where I got the idea from – it was close to the height of The Troubles in the UK, so I guess that's it.
Anyway, if I did, I would be turning off the TV news so my little one didn't have to see it. It's horrible enough without them being in fear of something that's extremely unlikely to happen here.
Little ones just take in so much more than we think.
Raya turned to me the other day and told me she didn't want to go into the sun. When I asked her why she told me she woudl get “cancer cells”. When I questioned her she told me she had seen the black things swimming in the body on the tv. Wonder if the cancer council was targeting preschoolers with their ads.
Thanks for your perspectives everyone. x
I wonder the same. At the moment, at 2.5 I am not talking about these things at all and leave the tv off especially as the images make me cry which is hard for the Bebito to watch. It's interesting to hear everyone's perspectives on this.
Kids taken in way more then any of us notice. After reading your post here Chantelle and remember I had been keeping a you-tube clip to blog I got stright over then and blogged my little heart out!
Check it out when you have a spare moment. I have 3 kids and each one is different. My 10 year old has always been a real worrier and is very compassionate. My 5 year old is not as much but she has her moments where she gets really worried. So far 9.5mth old is still too young but I'm sure the time will come soon enough when we have to deal with some sort of stress with him too.
Also Chantelle I worry alot (i get it from my Dad) I think this is where Mason gets it from so your little one might just be like you too. Is Daddy a stresser too or do you do it enough for both of you like I do for my hubby. Well thats not completly true I just know how to 'talk' about my stresses better then my husband.
My heart honestly feels tired from the pain it has felt recently with all the horrible things that have been happening around the world.