Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a week of work and editing. I’m editing my second manuscript and I’m excited about this one too. But enough about that. We had a sad event happen this week. There was another school shooting in Texas.
This breaks my heart. I think about those innocent children cowering in corners and how scared they must’ve been. My heart goes out to them. Then I think of the shooter and wonder how wounded he must’ve been to go to that extreme. He must’ve felt he had nothing left to live for.
I think of my own kids and wonder how I can protect them. I wonder if online school isn’t the solution, but also an exasperation of the problem at the same time. I mean keeping large groups from getting together will make them less likely to be victims, but and this is a big but, isolation and disconnection are huge factors that drive these kids to do the unthinkable.
I was chatting with my husband, and he asked the mind-boggling question, where did this eighteen-year-old get the money to buy an assault weapon? These guns are not cheap. I read a little bit of background about the shooter. He was a loner who had quit his job a week prior to the shooting.
This supports my theory that disconnection is a major factor in these events. Disconnection from family, their community, and society. We all need to be vigilant. As parents we can do our part and make sure our kids feel connected to their family. Family traditions are a big part of that.
According to another newspaper article, the shooter made threats to girls online when they rebuffed his sexual advances and claimed he’d come to their school and shoot it up. These are signs that we need to take seriously. No one believed he would carry out his threats. They all thought he was kidding.
Now we know better. Now we must do better.
We need to take better care of our kids. Pure and simple. The teen years are the hardest years of our lives, and they’re harder now than when we were teens decades ago. When they withdraw, make sure they’re not dealing with anxiety or depression. I know this is hard. They won’t like your intrusion, but they’ll appreciate it when they’re older. And the fact that they made it to “older” will be a blessing in itself.
We need stronger gun laws for young kids. I am a believer in the second amendment, but I’m also a believer in keeping our kids alive. Both can be true. Young kids don’t need assault rifles. Period.
We need to train our police officers how to manage situations like this. It’s my understanding that they stood around the school for an hour, not knowing what to do. It was a border patrol officer who got into the school and shot the shooter.
We need to do more for through our mental health programs. Mental health issues start in the teen years. If your teen or a friend of your teen’s is showing mental health issues, try and get them help in any way you can.
Is there a way to prevent mass shootings? I believe we can. Maybe not prevent every one, but we can bring these numbers down. How about you? Do you have any ideas? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
My big takeaway is that life is no longer valued so going into a school and shooting kids is not an unexpected consequence of our slide down the slippery slope of losing our moral conscience. BTW, my daughter has five kids whom she has homeschooled from the beginning. The oldest just finished his first year of college. Contrary to popular belief, homeschooled kids are not generally isolated. They attend co-ops with other homeschoolers, go to PE classes at the Y with other kids, have special days at the library for homeschoolers and other functions. In PA, where my daughter lives, they have the Tim Tebow law, so the children can participate in extracurricular activities at the public schools. They do soccer, track and cross country among other things. So,no isolation unless that is how the parents choose to run things.
Wow. I love that idea of home schooling with extra curricular activities. That is a great idea and a wonderful solution to the problem. Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
A sad week for the world indeed, Lisa. I’m thinking the 2nd amendment needs to be rewritten with some stipulations. Life is so different than it was in 1776. That said, there needs to be stricter gun laws. Why in the hell would you need an assault rifle unless you’re a soldier? Seriously! Hugs for this poignant, well-said post.
You and I are on the same page on this one, Sharon. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Your support is greatly appreciated. 🙂
Its mainly administration problem with in govt laws ? As long as weapons are freely available in market with out license to use the happenings like this will be common. No one can stop it except change in law and usage license permissions. Weapons are there for protecting and not for distructions through young people with in.
You are a kind personality being mother and think about kids but govt has to think in same line to avoid such happening.
You are so right, there has to be some kind of government reform. I wish I knew how to start lobbying for this because we need it badly. Just the thought of an assault weapon in the hands of a child turns my stomach.
If you like to start Lobbying reach The US Chamber of Commerce, they have a big group of people Lobbying for various matters with White house and congress directly. Its easy for locals to create one more group to lobby with top end buerocrats and congressmen. It can sure works. People and public must speak on this issue then the result will come for sure. If no one try nothing happens. Wish you the best .
Thank you for the idea! I will look into this. ❤
We were the members of the chamber till last year and i realised its good for the locals and due time difference we cant make it for most of the programmes as it falls exactly after our mod night hours. So we opted a different chamber for our needs. They have a super big lobby team and you can see each one on Linked In or on their web page. Easy for you to review. Making a basic team is tough but once formed they make it to happen for sure. Just share my thoughts. Have a nice Sunday.
You, too! I appreciate your input! ❤
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it.
You are welcome. Its a good cause and hope you can find solution . All the best .
Thank you!
🌻🙏🌹
All the best.
incredibly heartbreaking
It is. I’m hoping for some kind of restriction on selling weapons to young kids. No child needs an assault rifle. Thanks for stopping by.