When my kids were younger, they were none the wiser. I did not tell my children anything. As they have grown, however, I now take care to be the first to tell my children about current events that apply to them, especially when it's big enough that they will hear about it in school. This morning I found myself telling the kids about the terror attack in the Synagogue in Har Nof, Jerusalem.
One rule of thumb that I have learned from various sources (organizations, psychologists, parents) is to explain to children that what occurred is "RARE." It is uncommon and unliekly to happen to them. Children who are approximately 6 and older can comprehend the concept of COMMON vs. RARE. Teach your kids they are safe because this is RARE and far from home.
I struggle with weighing the rarity of these terror attacks.
9/11: See that building just over the river? Terrorits flew into that very site. Why? I cannot explain evil. Yes, it was in New York City where your father and grandparents work. No, it is RARE and won't happen again.
Boston bombing: At a Marathon finish line. Not Daddy's New York City Marathon, which Jeremy ran several times, but a different Marathon in Boston.
Palestinians driving onto train platforms and waiting areas: Cars, children, a baby flung from her stroller!
Har Nof Terror Attack: Men praying peacefully on a regular morning at a local synagogue. Synagogue - not ours, a different one in Israel. Someone else's daddy. Many children remain bereft. Only a block from where Mommy lived for a year when she was your age (second grade).
How RARE are these occurances?
There are so many more examples but I prefer not to think about them, about how close to home they hit. Guns, axes, construction vehicles, babies, daddies, friends.
How can we claim that terror is RARE?
May G-d bring us comfort and peace so that we no longer have to explain the atrocities of this world to our young children.
It is very scary. I just heard that argument tonight that terror is rare. It may or may not be, but either way, I can’t seem to believe that terror doesn’t matter, or that we shouldn’t try to take precautions against it.
ReplyDeleteI am relieved that our trip in a few weeks does not take us to Jerusalem, but then my friends also said this line that “if you don’t go, you are letting the terrorists win.” I said I’m a tourist, I don’t have to be an Israeli who is forced to keep living and working, doing and going. I’m on vacation and I get to pick where I go. And if they want my tourist dollars in Jerusalem, well, they are lucky I am even going to Israel at all.
We are really nervous, but I know millions of Israelis will just go about their business the week we are there, and so we will too. We will just try to take fewer security risks, like avoiding bus stops and large crowded areas. I don’t think that’s nuts at all, especially in light of this terrible wave of tragedies.
I just hope this last one, which was so terrible, does not spark another war. Then I’m not sure I would be able to bring my family into that.
Maybe some are braver than I. Maybe some are more determined than I to just keep going, and to live their lives to the fullest despite the threats. Maybe some are more willing to take the risks.
May be so.