Explaining to the Kids...

When I picked my kids up from school today I breathed a sigh of relief.  I knew they were okay, obviously, but just seeing them made my heart finally relax.  I cannot fathom being a parent and receiving a phone call that there has been an emergency at my kids' school, only to get there and get the news that my child has been shot.  Not just any old emergency, but my ELEMENTARY school child has been shot, and is dead.  This is not within the realm of my reality.  I cannot even imagine.

I had to drive my girls to their father's house for the weekend.  We usually hit really bad traffic on the way down, it's northern Virginia the only traffic we have is BAD traffic.  I told them that something sad and tragic happened today.  I explained the events of the shooting.  They were quiet.  My 10 year old said how said it was that the children died, and how scared everyone must have been. My 8 year old took it to a whole other level.

My precious, loving, caring little 8 year old baby said, "Hmm, right before Christmas.  Those poor people.  I bet those parents have bought Christmas presents for their kids, what are they supposed to do this Christmas without their kids?"  I was a weeping mess by the time she said Christmas the first time.  I had not yet let my brain wander to that thought, that harsh reality.  I had not even given consideration to the idea of these families missing the most important part of Christmas...the children.

My daughter then proceeded to say a Hail Mary and an Our Father for the kids that were lost, and all the people affected by this horror.  Her sister said it with her, and so did I, but it was her idea.  She is the most caring, affectionate child.  She wants attention more than any toy on the market.  She wants acceptance more than any video game.  She wants everyone in her world to be happy more than she wants any material possession.

Telling our kids about this tragedy is important, depending on the age of our children.  Mine are old enough to need to have this explained.  They watch the news sometimes, they read things, they pay attention to what goes on in the world.  I kept my explanation simple, stright forward, and age appropriate.  That is the best advice I have. 

They need to understand, but they need to have it in a perspective that they can grasp at their age.  They need to know they are safe and sound, and that we will do everything we can to protect them from the cold, sometimes cruel world. 

So when you talk to your kids about this or any other life event, keep it simple, to the point, and age appropriate.  Give them no more information than what they need to understand the basic information.  They have an entire lifetime to be jaded by reality, save as much innocence as we can for now.

Hunger Games

I have a question for you parents out there.  How young is too young for the Hunger Games book/movie?  It is rated PG-13, so obviously the movie industry feels that 13 is an appropriate age, unless accompanied by a parent. 

My 7 year old 2nd grader came home today complaining that several of her classmates were playing a new game called, Hunger Games.  I asked her what they were doing, and she said they were pretending to use weapons and kill each other.  Now, I am not naive, but I had hoped that my 7 year old would be for a little while yet.

My 9 year old said her classmates are obsessed with the Hunger Games, and she quite frankly is sick of it....I love that kid.  I will also say, my kids go to a private, Catholic School.  I don't know if I am wrong in expecting more because of this, but I do, and my bank account says that I have a right to, since all my money goes to them. 

So, I want to hear from parents, what are your thoughts on the Hunger Games, what is old enough for the book and/or movie?  Do you think that I shouldn't be at all surprised that 7 & 8 year olds are enacting the concept on the playground?  Should I mention it to the teacher?  Or am I just being an overconservative prude?  Go ahead, give me your honest opinion...

Neighborhood Watch...

Am I the only person that is wondering how long we have to listen to this crap about the Neighborhood Watch moron that killed a teenager???  I mean, arrest him, charge him, and move forward.  What the heck are they waiting for?  He was told NOT to follow the kid by the 911 dispatcher.  They specifically told him they did NOT need him to do that....sooo, if, and it's a BIG IF, he actually was attacked by this child, then it was his own fault.  He was told NOT TO FOLLOW the kid, so for him to continue his pursuit says to me he had a motive beyond just surveillance. 

This guy murdered this kid, that is how I see it.  Unless someone can show me evidence to the contrary, he killed him in cold blood, and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.