2012 Edition of Express Yourself has come to end but it will start up again January 7th, 2013. I would like to say January 1st would be a more appropriate day but I could have a well induced vodka coma that day and it will not be pretty.
For this week’s Q & A; Jackie and I would love to know… What are a few of your Favorite Holiday Songs?
To be perfectly honest – I am not a huge fan of Christmas songs. *readers gasp* I know, I know. Shun me why don’t you! I have to be in the mood for it and that is seldom. The other day though, my son had his Christmas Program (they actually called it Christmas and not Holiday at his school – either way is fine by me). Well they had this section where the audience had to participate and I had fun singing O Holy Night, Joy to the World, and The First Noel. There were others but those are the ones I remember so they were probably my favorite of the night.
On a more serious note; I was a little nervous sending my kids off to school today. My kids didn't want to go. But I can’t live in fear. I told them, "You can be fearful but you shouldn’t be hindered by fear itself." How did you deal with sending your kids off to school today? No big deal or BIG DEAL?
Friday, my older three kids and I were talking about what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary and my fourteen yr old said, “It’s so sad that so many kids died. So many families are going to be without their kids for Christmas. Do you think they were scared?”
“Scared how?” I asked.
“When they died,” He replied.
“No,” I said.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Well the principal and counselor died first, right?” He shook his head. “So they waited for the little children and other teachers.” I assured.
“So they all went together?” My twelve year old daughter piped up.
“Yes, through the valley and everything. They didn’t have to go by themselves.” Little smiles danced in the corners of their mouths. It brought comfort to all of us. I needed it just as much as they did. How do you talk to your kids about world events?
Hope everyone has a great Monday!
I've got a 3rd grader (my son) and a kindergartner. And we haven't talked about it yet. My son has been around news reports but he doesn't seem to be paying attention.
ReplyDeleteSo often he doesn't see what's going on outside his own world. Not because he's selfish, but I think because he just doesn't watch people outside his circle. And analyze everything people do/say. And listen to gossip.
So we haven't talked about it yet. But I will now after he gets home from school because they probably will be talking about it today.
No kids but what happened was horrible. Glad you could talk your kids through it and you're right. We can't live in fear.
ReplyDeleteHoliday songs: Silent night, Twelve Days of Christmas (original and Irish version), Little Drummer Boy and so on.
I'm childfree (though hope to change that before I'm too old), and went to a rather tough, violent junior high and high school. The first of my three high schools has since had metal detectors installed, so the threat of gun violence is seen as very real there. One boy I was acquainted with actually prevented a potential school shooting while I was there, and was celebrated as a hero in the school paper.
ReplyDeleteThe local oldies station plays 24/7 Christmas music for almost two months. What planet do their deejays and management live on when they think a normal person wants to hear constant holiday music well in advance of the actual holiday, and won't get sick of it long before Christmas? That's my sign to change the channel till Boxing Day!
That is a great question...How do you??? We shouldn't have to talk to them about this...it shouldn't have to happen.
ReplyDeleteI did talk with my kids right away- I wanted them to hear it from me and not someone else because I didn't want them to think I was too afraid and therefore make them more afraid then they already were. I didn't go into details, letting them ask questions on their own. It was so hard to drop them off this morning, so hard to let them go and trust they'll be safe.
I loved your story- it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing your conversation with your kids.
Its been hard to talk about it. I'm glad you could help the wee ones. They need that comfort more than we could ever imagine. Oh and my favorite Christmas song is actually "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" by Garth Brooks. I'm not a country guy but he makes you want to sing along with him!
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