April 24, 2014

Facing the big bad world

As parents we make a lot of hard decisions. Some harder than the rest. Like the decision to send Anthony to school today. At first it was easy. Of course I would send him. I know the school will keep them safe. And I know that they would increase the security today.   We had a warning. We had time to prepare.

What I didn't account for was the chatter among the kids. Monday when the kids got off the bus the talk had already started. The younger kids heard the older kids talking.  And you know that's never good!  That night I explained to Anthony what was going on. We talked about what to do in that type of situation and even went into planning other places he could hide if he needed to.  Then I read that some parents hadn't talked to their kids about it and didn't plan to either.  And while that's their choice I wondered what if something did happen and the kids found out their parents knew it might happen and but didn't tell them.  But then again, I've had people tell me I am wrong for being so open with the boys about my liver disease and the road I will have to take to get to a transplant. It's a big bad world out there. I know for my boys, knowing what's out there is better than them not having a clue.

As the days passed and Anthony got more and more nervous so did I. I questioned myself.  I wondered if I should really send him or not. Then last night we talked about how nothing could happen. Or anything could happen. Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. In the end, it's our job as parents to know what our kids can handle. Some kids just would not be able to make it through the day at school knowing something might happen. But it could happen any day. For Anthony, I know that keeping him home would only make going to school on Monday  harder. So I put him in the hands of the school. I have faith in the faculty to keep him safe today.

Have you ever dealt with a school threat before?  What did you do?  Back home where I grew up we didn't have a care in the world. My biggest fear when going to school was whether or not Mrs B. was going to make me wear shoes or if someone was going to take my bike and I would have to walk home (or take someone elses).  Do you talk to your kids about the bad in the world and the things that could happen?  I think it's important for them to know what's out there. I'd love to know what you think!

1 comment:

  1. I've just come over from BlogPaws to visit you.
    I think it's important to talk to children. It's better for them to hear difficult things from people they trust and who will answer their questions in a suitable manner than to hear it in the school playground.