What Boston has taught me....

As I watched the events of yesterday’s bombings in Boston unfold I couldn't help but think “How can I protect Monkey boy from all the ugly and bad in the world??”

Truth is…

I can’t…

I can’t protect him from every unpleasant or evil unfortunately; I don’t want to make him ‘scared’ of the world but rather aware.

I can…

However teach him: There ARE good people in the world, even in times of distress. I can teach him how to respond rather than react in times when the bad seems to outweigh the good.  I can instill in him that HE can be light in the darkness that surrounds tragic events like in Boston.  

For Monkey Boy it will be a little more difficult to teach him some of these things because of how his brain is wired.  When he’s ‘excited’ (good or bad) he instantly reacts- it’s what his brain tells his body to do- usually it results in a slap or punch to whoever is closest.  How will I teach him instead to respond, in a calm and thought out method? (I’m still working on that, only time will tell.) 

How do I teach him there ARE good people? Without exposing him to graphic images- I can tell him stories of REAL heroes, who don't wear capes, who selflessly help people who they don't know.  I can teach him to HELP, not to selfishly earn the title of ‘hero’, but just to help; because it’s the right thing to do.  He loves to help and comfort people even at the tender age of five- I can work to build that quality up in him so that he will continue to have the compassion and desire to be helpful, without recognition.  

I could honestly see in 15-20 years if he’s anything like he is now, in a tragedy like Boston, he’d be one going TOWARD the chaos; in part because of his reaction tendencies but also because he IS compassionate.  

What I can do in the meantime as he grows is shield him from the graphic images the media makes all too readily available- I CAN do that- for the most part.  He did happen to see some of the news coverage of Boston when we were out at a restaurant and decided he needed to sit next to me- I was facing the TV, all of which were replaying video from the blasts etc.  He asked what that was, I tried my best to shield him from it and change the subject.  Luckily, we left shortly thereafter and he was distracted and no longer paying attention to the screen. 

While I don’t want him scared of the world around him, I do want him to be aware of dangers that are present… there’s the basic, “Don’t talk to strangers”, “never leave your bag unattended” and stuff like that but I want him to understand that if he does see something ‘off’ to know it’s ok to alert someone who can check on it, be it mom, a police officer or other trusted figure~ to follow his instincts, if he’s uncomfortable with it- make someone else aware. 

Unfortunately, in the world and times we live in he will probably see more tragedies like Newtown, CT and Boston, MA as he grows up.  Hopefully he will only see them via the media- prayerfully I won’t have to worry about him reacting and not responding…

While there are many things I can’t protect him from, I CAN wrap my arms around him tightly, hold him, love him, support him and keep him as safe as possible. 

Remember tonight my lovelies, to kiss your children as they drift off to sleep- hell kiss them a few times before and after they’re asleep, let them know you love them!! Let them be YOUR light in the darkness as we go on with our daily lives in the wake of this most recent tragedy!!