" Each of us as human beings has a responsibility to reach out to help our brothers and sisters affected by disasters. One day it may be us or our loved ones needing someone to reach out and help. "-Michael W. Hawkins, American Red Cross
From the corner of my eye, I felt him watching me. I gasped at the sights of devastation from Japan. I was fully aware that he was watching it with me. "Oh my God", he said . I didn't make him turn away. I wanted him to witness it . This moment he will remember when he is a grown man. The images of this disaster, the magnitude that in an instant changed lives forever. It will be a part of him. Daniel was watching the destruction, the despair, the urgency of survivors to find their loved ones. He is ten years old and many would argue that it's a young age for a child to be burdened with such worries . It's important that I should mention that he is a child with a strong spirit. If I knew my child couldn't watch this I would guard him from the images. I would protect him from the sadness of it. When I was a child there were always serious issues discussed. My father never turned away from injustice and he believed in voicing his opinions. His passion made us enlightened and interested in the issues. He planted the seed and made us aware of the world outside the walls of our home and outside the borders of our country. My son Josh is twenty five now, and he lives with a social awareness and conscience. When he was small I would read to him children books about important issues of our time. I felt that it was important for me to raise a child that would care about the world around him. He is a humanitarian and he has made a difference in the lives that he has touched. My son Daniel has saved up money for charities from a young age. He has empathy for those in need. I don't question why the seed is not always planted early on. I don't know if it would work for everyone. I just know that it works for me. Planting the seeds for a better tomorrow. Planting the seeds that will bloom into a better world.
this is a great opporunity for you to help him understand on some level what is going on...as you process it with him i imagine that compassion will grow even further...it is tragic...have 2 boys (6 & 8) and they know what is going on and we have talked about it...
ReplyDeleteWe have discussed it and he is very aware. I know some parents feel that it's too much for children to handle, but I always felt it was important for my boys to be aware of the world and the need that's out there.
ReplyDeleteYour 10-year old is lucky to have you around to put this catastrophic disaster in context for him. Natural disasters are impossible to avoid and are an opportunity to strengthen our humanity through compassion, sympathy, understanding and extending a helping hand.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Belinda. I strongly believe that it's an opportunity to strengthen our humanity through compassion and helping others!
ReplyDeletewow, what a remarkable kid.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah.
ReplyDeleteMy children and I have had a number of discussions about Japan. It is important.
ReplyDeleteJack, I agree with you. It's so important to discuss this with our children. I think knowledge of these situations and about other people's plight will only make them stronger and better, because they would have compassion for them. Thank you for your comment, it's nice to see you stop by.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very important what you're doing. If I don't always share these things with my kids (nearly 7, 5 and 2) it's because I took on an unhealthy burden at an early age and it almost suffocated me. I want to give them a little more time before they are going to have to face these things.
ReplyDeleteJennie, I understand how it is to carry an unhealthy burden. Your children are younger, that's why I think it's important for the parent to decide when they are ready. Nice of you to stop by.
ReplyDeletePlant that seed, sister. We need more parents willing to expose their children (in doses they are capable of processing) to what's really happening in the world. There's so much more than Playstation and iCarly.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, because my kiddo deals with anxiety and nightmares, I did not allow him to SEE the devastation. However, we did discuss with him that the people of Japan has experienced a natural disaster and that we need to share what we can.
Thank you,Kelly. I understand and it's good that you discussed it in a way that won't hurt him or burden him.
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