Thursday, November 10, 2016

On Facing Fear With Our Children

I have mostly stayed away from social media today. I will likely do the same tomorrow and for a while.Tomorrow marks two weeks since my reconstruction surgery and I am trying VERY hard to stay positive and focused on healing. 
But when I read this article, as a lifelong educator of young people, I realized that This is how we walk our students through any potentially scary experience. Similar articles appeared in the wake of 9/11, Columbine, and the endless list of violence in schools. Understand, please, I am not likening this election to 9/11. I promise. 
What I am saying is that change is scary for most of us, but is Terrifying for children. The suggestions offered in the attached article by Ali Michael, PhD, can be tweaked and applied in a multitude of ways.
It is up to us to tell all of our children that they will be safe, loved, valued, respected, and defended always. That is our job as adults. We must demonstrate this ourselves as best we can so our kids see that kindness, compassion, dignity, respect, and cooperation are right, they are our rights, and they are essential for all of us.
I am not here to argue, debate, denigrate, or demean anyone. I am simply offering another look at a way for all of us, and our children to move forward today,  and as we face challenges and change in the future.
Please be kind to each other, help each other, embrace each other, respect each other, and love each other.

I love, value, cherish and appreciate you all.

Peace

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-should-we-tell-the-children_us_5822aa90e4b0334571e0a30b




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