There’s not much I can say that others have not already said. What happened in Newtown, Connecticut is becoming way too common. And I don’t have an answer to offer as to how to put a stop to such senseless death.
The only things I can do are comfort and reassure my own children.
My daughter, the fearless leader, has a plan on what to do for her survival: hide. She is small enough to fit many places and can keep quiet, she said.
My son, on the other hand, did not want to go back to school. While parents around the country were holding their children close in gratitude, I did not have to – my son was hanging on me and would not let go.
It should not take a tragedy to bring families together. We all have busy lives that include work, school, and extracurricular activities.
Something as little as having dinner together with conversation brings people together. My family makes a point to eat around the table when we are home together.
We also have mandatory family fun scheduled known as FFT: Forced Family Time. It is not as bad as it sounds; it is named so that there is no wiggle room for a way out. We watch a movie, play a board game, or go for a walk. Most importantly, we talk.
Instead of running around stressed, take the time to rest and relax. Get things out in the open instead of holding them in. I don’t punish my children for saying what they feel, I just encourage healthier and acceptable ways of releasing their anger.
I don’t pretend to know what was going through the shooter’s mind, but I can tell you those kids were scared. I hope the survivors are afforded the ability to grieve and work thorough their emotions in private. I hope reporters remember that.
Those kids have already been through enough, don’t you think?
