Margot thank you for your thoughtful submission to Lincoln talks. So helpful for parents and grandparents!
On Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 10:45 AM Stephanie Smoot <[email protected]> wrote: > Sounds like too much media. We were exposed to many personal war stories > from birth but we only were allowed limited tv so we knowledgeable of > current events but not saturated. > > Regards, > *Stephanie Smoot* > > 857 368-9175 work > 781 941-6842 personal cell > *617 595-5217 *work cell > 126 Chestnut Circle > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/126+Chestnut+Circle+Lincoln,+MA+01773?entry=gmail&source=g> > Lincoln, MA 01773 > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/126+Chestnut+Circle+Lincoln,+MA+01773?entry=gmail&source=g> > > > > > On Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 10:10 AM Margit Griffith <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> Dear Neighbors, >> >> I was recently asked, "How do I speak to my grandchildren about war?" >> For a moment, I had to pause; children and war do not belong in the same >> sentence. Sadly, children are all too often among the casualties - of >> life, of home/place, of emotional stability - when there is war. But for >> those who are far away, how do we help them understand? My answer to >> this is layered. >> >> For small children, thinking about war is not in their wheelhouse. There >> is no reason to bring their attention to it, to discuss it in front of >> them, to have them see the news. Our responsibility as parents and caring >> adults is to shield them from this. What they do need is to learn the >> values of kindness, caring, sharing, being a good friend. But we know, >> kids pick-up on things, especially their parents' emotions - and I love >> this book... it not only names what they might be feeling, but also gives >> them some action to take... The Breaking News, by Sarah Lynne Reul >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-U3lF5Ei_E (this Youtube video is >> the author reading the story) >> >> With values lessons shared with very young children, there is a >> foundation to explain war to slightly older children. War is not kind nor >> caring. War is about grabbing, not sharing. War is not about friendship. >> The values we raise-up as most important can be compared to the lack of >> values warring represents. We can talk about the Nobel Peace Prize and the >> Peace Corps in addition to talking slightly about what a child may have >> heard about what's happening in the world. >> >> Children in later middle school ages and above can have a frank >> discussion about why the war is taking place. What is being fought over? >> Why now? Who are the key players? This is a time to mention your concern >> about loss of life, the emotional damage to survivors, the refugees wars >> produce. Share your feelings as well as the facts. Naming feelings of >> concern, frustration, anger - all the emotions - helps children identify >> the things they are feeling... it gives it a name. Knowing how you feel >> and letting others know how you feel is a life skill. >> >> For young children, they should be shielded from the TV. For older >> children, if you decide to watch news broadcasts (IF!), it should be >> limited and watched with you (for later discussion). At all times and >> will all children, parents and caring adults should reassure them they are >> safe. That you are there to do everything in your power to keep them >> safe. If children fixate on or become truly anxious about what's going on, >> call your pediatrician. They are (or should be) wonderful resources for >> helping you parent on all levels. They can help you determine if your >> child's reaction is on an anticipated spectrum or if there is concern. >> >> If you have any questions or would like to talk about your concerns, you >> can hit the "Ask Margit" button on First Parish in Lincoln's website for >> Children, Youth, and Families... >> https://www.fplincoln.org/children-youth-and-families/ >> >> Yours in Care and Compassion, >> Margit >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
