what just happened?
At the moment we see so many unbelievable things around us. As parents we often think we should be protecting our younger generation. I think sometimes many parents really underestimate our children. We want to shield these things from them. However there are children much more unfortunate than ours that are going through a very difficult time. And yet those children manage to also persevere.
Gratitude
I myself am a child of a political refugee. This child who grew up to be a great person because of the struggle he was exposed too. Often if a parent has handicap would you say to the child but didn’t you suffer because of it? My feeling is that the children raised by families with personal struggle do not take things for granted like privileged people. They don’t see themselves without but actually more grateful because of hardship.
nice & easy
What I’m saying is not to put a big amount of stress on a child but instead to explain it into terms so that they can develop empathy and gratitude. I feel a lot of problems we have today this is many people today cannot see themselves from another person’s point of view. Perhaps had their parents started earlier exposing them to reality it would be different.
Sharing experiences
My father really didn’t expose me too much to what had happened earlier in his life. I wish sometimes he did, because I think that it would have had a lot more healing for everyone. I would have understood why he was so over protective of us. I could have had known more for his past. It would been a chance for us to relate to each other from his childhood while I was still a kid.
learning how to cope for all ages
We need to take the trauma that we experience from childhood and cultivate it a place that is manageable for childhood. To a safe place where our children can learn how to deal with unpleasant feelings. Where it’s ok to be scared of current situations but also hope for change, accept lack of control and above all to persevere. These are even many actions that many adults can’t grasp.
for the kids
So for my children, I put together a video explaining what happened on February 24th. So kids can understand why children their own age are suffering now. Feel free to comment as well about that you have done with your children.
