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Why I tell my children the world is a good place

This morning I sat down with my children and told them about the events in Manchester. It is becoming too regular an occurrence (just two months ago in London 🙁 ) but the message I give my children each and every time is that the world is a good place, full of good people. I want them to believe in the power of hope and love, not hate.

And this is the reason that terrorism will never win. Change through violence will never succeed when love and hope exist. And they do. The stories that emerge from each terrorist attack prove that the humanity and kindness of strangers far outweighs the hatred of the few.
My heart aches for the families affected by this tragedy, those lives changed forever by a misguided individual.
There were children killed, injured and missing after last night’s attack. Families devastated by the decision of one person. I cannot imagine the pain, words are not enough to convey the horror of what I have seen in the news.
Why? I simply do not understand the mentality of suicide bombers and terrorists. Their actions bewilder me. How can their definition of their faith allow the murder of innocents? Life is precious. EVERY life is precious.
I am of course making assumptions about the perpetrator’s motives which at this stage are unknown. But any ideology that results in the slaughter of others is wrong.
Every time I speak to my children about faith and beliefs, I emphasise that all are equal. I tell them what I believe and explain that I could be wrong. They do not have to share my beliefs and I encourage them to question and form their own opinions.
Parents have a tough choice whether to tell their children what is going on. I don’t know whether I am doing the right thing by telling my children but feel it is important that they know what is happening. I don’t want to scare them which is why I focus on the tales of bravery, hope and love that emerge while we are gripped by sadness.
I will hold my children close tonight. Warn them of dangers but emphasise the good in the vast majority of people. Tell them that love will always drive out hate, that in the darkness of the future they will be the shining beacon of hope.

This is for Manchester and all the other cities affected by vile acts of cowardice. 

This is for our future, our world, our children.

This is for love.

Show the world that hope and good are not extinguished

and never will be.


Categories: Personal.

/ 26 Comments

26 comments

  3. Ana De- Jesus

    I think you made the right decision by telling your children because they deserve to know. It is awful what happened my heart breaks for the families of the missing, injured and the dead x

    Reply
  6. Dara

    I think it is definitely a good idea to talk about these things because they hear about them anyway. It is better to open the discussion up at home where they are in a safe place to grieve or worry.

    After the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, I showed my 11-year-old son a picture of the people lined up around the block in line to donate blood to the victims in the hospitals. We chose to focus on the way the city came together, instead of the vile actions of one lone shooter. I think it helps him to see the outpouring of love from strangers, I know it helps me deal.

    Reply
  7. Anosa

    Sometimes it can be hard to foster that message to children and even more so for them to adhere to it when so much violence is happening but it’s important to remind them its not everyone whose bad just a few. I can not even imagine what the families of those affected must be going through right now.

    Reply
  8. Kizzy

    I try to shield my younger two from the majority of it, although it does filter through. I try to explain the best I can about what’s going on as I think they need an understanding, one that is appropriate for their age ranges. I felt sick to my stomach when I heard where it was, target young people is the lowest of the low.

    Reply
  9. mummy here and there

    If my son asked I would tell him in a simple way because, we should be open about this stuff as it seems a regular occurrence scary but true especially today when Teresa announced another thread likely X #bestandworst

    Reply
  10. Talya

    So perfectly put. I do think the world overall is a good place and tell my daughter that too, because I think it’s important they know it. In life, there are always bad eggs unfortunately. What happened in Manchester was horrific and it’s sad that these are the times we live in.

    Reply
  12. Kim Carberry

    It has been an awful couple of days….
    I have chatted with my girls and have been honest. I made a point of telling them about all the good and all the people who helped.
    #bestandworst

    Reply
  13. Sarah Howe

    My eldest is still a bit young thankfully but I think you do the right thing being honest. Give them the facts and emphasise the good. It’s just been awful Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x

    Reply
  15. Lucy At Home

    It is truly heartbreaking news. I haven’t spoken to my kids about it as they are still young but these things seem to be happening more and more frequently and I know I can’t shield them from it forever. We must continue to love and shine light in the world, though. Because light is the only thing that can extinguish darkness #ablogginggoodtime

    Reply
  16. Imperfect Mum

    I have discussed the terrorist attacks with my boys as they have seen things on TV, heard friends talking or indeed us and social media has also had lots of messages so they can not escape it. I think that communicating with our kids about these thing is so important and whilst I want my kids to feel safe I also don’t want to lie to them. Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime

    Reply
  18. Mama Grace

    I think we must give young people a space to talk about this. We also must talk about the parts of the world where young people and all people live in terror everyday. I believe that we must discuss the reasons and be clear between fact and opinion and highlight the good, so we don’t get enwrapped in the bad. I love how Manchester seems to be shining love in the grieving process. There was a walk by muslim children at the vigil, all faiths people were talking. I believe when young people/people stop talking, become locked in their ideas and stop listening and we loose that engagement, then they can be prayed upon by people who want to put their ideology on them and they can be used. Through time death and tragedy has come about by somebody wanting to enforce there ideology on someone else, let’s not force ourselves son others, let’s talk. #Blogstravaganza

    Reply
  21. Sara

    What a beautiful, moving post. It’s awful. Knowing that we live in a world where these things happen is awful. I don’t think my children make much sense out of what I’m trying to explain to them, when these things happen. But then again, we struggle to understand as adults. The loss of all those innocent lives makes no sense. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  22. Helen @Talking_Mums

    I absolutely agree. We should show and shower our children with love and tell them that there are far more good people in the world than bad. My daughter is only 5 so while I don’t shield her from the truth I don’t go in to detail. #westandtogether
    #Blogstravaganza

    Reply
  24. Lisa Pomerantz

    Thank you for this post. Living here in the US, with the horrid, vile president and the tragic events of the world, it is far too easy to take a dim view of everything. Thank you for reminding me and teaching your children that there is good in the world. We need a lot more of that, expecially now. <3 #KCACOLS

    Reply
  25. Cassie

    It is a horrid world. I don’t know how I will explain it all to George as he gets older.
    Thoughts with all those affected by these atrocities.

    Thanks for linking up.
    #KCACOLS

    Reply

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