My kids are still young, 9 and 6.
The 6-year-old is pretty much in tune with all things Disney.
(Minus the Disney stars on the tabloids)
But my 9-year-old is very aware of some things that are happening in the world.
He might not know about Britney, Paris or Lindsay.
But he definitely knows about steroids, the election, racism and natural disasters.
How do you explain those things to a 9-year-old.
More importantly, how do you explain those things to a child and still make him feel secure and safe.
He remembers the images from 9-11.
He remembers the images from Virginia Tech.
He read all about the Colorado church shooter.
He doesn’t understand why his favorite athletes cheat.
He doesn’t understand why all politicians do is argue.
He doesn’t understand why people were judged by and killed because of the color of their skin.
So often parents worry about having “the talk” with their children.
Truth be told, that seems like a walk in the park compared to some of these other issues.
Maybe I’m telling him too much.
Maybe I’m not telling him enough.
Maybe I shouldn’t be so honest - or I should be more honest.
But he is 9.
My priority right now is to make sure he feels safe.
I give him hugs and kisses, I tell him I love him and I hope that I’m doing the right thing.
“Don’t ask what the world needs.
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
~Howard Thurman
