As we think about the next few days to come, there really are things to be thankful about. We know all too well the frustration and worry that the citizens of France are going through.
But it is the years to come that will show how the youth of that country are affected.
A recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions parents about how they should talk to their children about the terrorism attacks, and about how much they should be exposed to when it comes to social media and news reports.
Violence affects children in different ways. Children in New York City, of course, experienced first-hand our own 9-11 attacks, while children here in Texas knew something was wrong – the tension, the hushed voices. Older students at Hays CISD high schools and junior highs were exposed to news reports; they overheard teachers talking; most children here experienced parents rushing to school to pick them up.
Our children are all stronger now. They graduated from school, they entered the armed forces or volunteered with various organizations.
No longer do Americans think that we won’t be affected by what goes on overseas.
Even today, parents need to talk to their children about what they are seeing on television and in the newspapers. Adults might want to just ignore the subject and gloss over the gruesomeness.
That’s totally understandable.
But children will hear about the events, no matter how much we try to protect them. Parents need to make sure that they are hearing the concerns of their children; they need to provide a sounding board and show empathy.
We should be thankful that counselors at all the Hays CISD schools are there for the children – to talk, to commiserate, to show support.
We should be thankful that our children are able to come home to visit over the holidays.
We should be thankful that our families are with us.
Because there are too many families today – whether here in Texas, in Syria, in France – that just want to know that help is around the corner; that there will be food on the table and that there will be a roof over their heads.
We have endured a lot with all the flooding in recent months. But we are here, together, and that is what really matters.
