Talking to your Kids: Making Sense of Something Senseless

My sons.

They are my life and my everything.

I haven’t talked to the boys yet about what happened.

I just truly am not sure what to say.

When they got home from school on Friday I told them to play in the basement, I had been reading updates online all afternoon and listening to updates on the radio… and I just was trying to process everything. These kids that were shot… they are EXACTLY the ages of 2 of my sons. It instantly made me sick.

I don’t know how to tell the boys. I know I NEED to, but I’m trying to find a way to tell them that won’t make them terrified to go to school on Monday. My son William had a swim meet yesterday afternoon, and while he was waiting to swim one of his events, he asked me and my husband, “Why did 20 kids get killed on Friday?”

I quickly said, “Where did you hear that?”

He said innocently, “Some of the boys were talking about it before our relay.”

Truth be told, I know I need to say something because I know he needs to hear about it from me and Matthew, not other kids who don’t know the details.

It’s just… how do you explain to a 5, 7 and 8 year old that there is evil in this world. I do my best as a mother to scare away their fears… monsters in their closets, the dark, noises from outside… these are easy fears to “battle.” But a monster walking into a school and shooting… I’m speechless. Truly and utterly speechless.

I can’t make sense of this senseless act when I talk to them.

I can’t do anything but cry and feel such sorrow and agony for those parents.

Hearing about Newtown, CT… it could have been any town in the United States, and that’s what is so terrifying for a parent.

I just needed a moment to vent this morning… I’m scared to talk to my sons. I know every doctor on TV has said to talk to your children in a calm tone, and that they set their impressions based on your reactions, but with something like this… my GOD, my reaction… it’s just horror.

This is something we need to do today with them.

This is something that needs to be addressed before school tomorrow. Before recess. Before kids tell their own versions to each other.

My heart and my prayers go out to all those families who lost someone on Friday.

There are just no proper words except… prayers are being sent.

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

Sign Up To The Ultimate Style Newsletter for Moms

Categories

ShopStyle “List” Of all Things I Like and Blog About

Pinterest