FEATURED JOBS
With recent terrorist attacks affecting both Americans and Jews, how can we assure our children that they are safe in this world?
If the world sometimes seems like a terrifying place for adults, can you imagine what it feels like to our kids? The recent attacks in India show us that terror is a reality in our lives. We cannot dismiss the deaths and injuries inflicted at the Oberoi and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotels in Mumbai as foreign acts that do not affect us at home. Nor can we, as Jews, disconnect from the tragic deaths of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg and others who were killed at the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Center in Mumbai. We have now all been touched by the hatred and violence that are manifested around us.
As parents we strive to protect our children from harm. Young children believe their parents control the world. Suddenly one day they realize that “things happen” and mommy and daddy can’t fix it. A personal loss can be devastating, but a terrorist attack on the other side of the world can also make a child feel vulnerable.
What should we tell our children about their own safety? What is appropriate to share and what is “too much information”? Some of this depends on the child’s age. Parents need to talk with their children at any age about the kinds of safety issues that affect them. For example, we must teach our younger children not to go with people they don’t know. We must explore with all of our children who they can tell if someone (unknown or known to them) has touched them in an inappropriate way. Older children should be notified of unsafe situations in their environment such as car-jacking alerts and gang alerts.
With children of any age who have heard news about terrorist attacks, parents need to offer a listening ear to their thoughts and concerns. Address their fears, tell them you understand their feelings and reassure them that you are there for them. Monitor the news they are watching and avoid coverage that replays images of violence.
We cannot guarantee our children’s safety, but we should never underestimate the power parents have to make our children feel safe—just by being available. In the midst of our busy lives, it is critical to set aside even a little time to check in with our kids each day and renew their sense of security.
Jewish Community Services offers a wide range of supportive services and resources for you and your family. To learn more, call 410-466-9200, or visit http://www.jcsbaltimore.org. Questions about parenting? Send an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and check out the Parenting Tip of the Week at http://www.jcsbaltimore.org.
Comments (0)