It’s the year 2015 and the world is in chaos.
Bombs. Suicide. Rape. Murder. All things that need explaining to your children. These issues soon enough steal their attention and they begin to ask questions. Just how do you explain to them that war is a prominent feature of life? What do you say?
Ange Thomas of Bendigo, Mother to two intelligent and insightful teenage boys aged thirteen and fifteen, asks herself these questions everyday.
‘I want my boys to grow to be strong compassionate men, to be able to stand up for themselves and others around them’ says Ange.
‘I question myself constantly with the things l say to my children. Our conversations arouse questions and feelings in me that tug at my conscience everyday, as l’m sure it does theirs. Like all mothers should, l want my beautiful boys to become beautiful men.’
Today people are exposed to as much darkness in the world as they are light. Children are not excluded from this. Chances are if your child takes an interest in the world around them and has witnessed any news whatsoever (and lets face it how could they not?) they are likely to have seen (if not even lived) blood, death and horror.
This knowledge is a reality of life but Ange confesses earnestly
‘Knowing these sights and events are influencing their judgement of the world troubles me immensely. I question how best to do my job of easing their worries and leading them down the ‘right’ path. I wonder what do I say, just what should I do?’
‘I tend to let my boys tell me how they feel about a topic, which guides me into which way to handle my reply because I can’t censor them from everything but l can try to help them understand what they do see.’
‘We are under no illusions that the world is not a perfect place and l don’t try to shelter them from the fact it is not. I just make sure try to and focus on teaching them how amazing it can also be.’
Childrens minds really are a sponge soaking up all of their early impressions so thirstily. With the world in the thick of climate change, a refugee crisis and terrorism playing out all over the world it is only natural that they may worry on the world a while.
‘I never know if the advice l’m giving my children is perfect but l hope l’m teaching them to be strong and resilient. I hope they can use their understandings to become compassionate and not slide into depression.’
‘I try to do as my Mum did and just do my best.’
It’s all any good Mother can do.