The terrorist bombing Monday night in Manchester, England—an act that killed an eight-year-old and a 15-year-old, among others—has been much on my mind. How can we raise our children in an era of such tragedies? How can we—and they—not be scared?
We can’t. I have no words or insights any better than what I wrote a year after the Boston Marathon bombing and days after two other acts of violence against teens and others. My son is older now, and I still worry about him and how to explain the desperation and hatred that drives people do things like this. All I can do, perhaps, is to try and help him grow into someone who is kind, compassionate, and willing to work across difference towards understanding and peace, whether in school, in the workplace, in our country, or around the world, depending on his path.
We can’t avoid being scared, but we can make sure our fear doesn’t paralyze us. We can take precautions for our safety without jumping at shadows. We can hug our children and other loved ones every day, just in case.
Here are two sources for helping children deal with tragedy, which I have posted far too often at this blog over the years:
- “Helping Children Deal with Traumatic Events,” from Open Circle, the elementary school social emotional learning (SEL) program at the Wellesley Centers for Women. The article was first posted in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. (I work at the Wellesley Centers for Women, though not in the Open Circle program. I post here as an individual, and not on behalf of the organization.)
- “Helping Children Cope with Tragedy Related Anxiety,” from Mental Health America.
My heart goes out to those directly impacted by the Manchester bombing. May we honor the memories of those lost by our continued commitment to making the world more just and equitable, laying the foundation of a lasting peace.
