Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. It has been a busy week with work and writing. I’m still noodling about my story. I have to decide which way I want to go before I put all the pieces together, but I’m getting there. Winter has finally left us. My tulips have finally started to bloom. It’s good to get outside and feel the warm air, but enough about that.
Today, I’d like to talk about letting go. Something I wasn’t prepared to do. I don’t know if any parent is prepared for this, but right before my eyes my boys have grown up. They don’t need me to tie their shoes or kiss their wounds any longer. It’s hard to let go.
I wasn’t ready for this. My oldest is going to college soon and I worry. What if a mass shooter comes to his school and shoots it up? What if someone tries to blackmail him on social media? What if someone slips some drugs into his drink when he isn’t looking? The world is such a dangerous place right now.
How can I make my boys understand the danger? How do I teach them to protect themselves? How do I teach them to be vigilant and look for danger before it finds them?
These are the questions I ask myself. Because when I raised them, I focused on teaching them how to be a good person and a good friend. I taught them to follow the rules, but now the world is full of people who don’t follow the rules. How do I protect them from those people?
There was a school shooting in Oxford Michigan a year and a half ago, and the parents have been arrested and charged as well because they knew of their son’s fragile mental condition and did nothing. They bought the gun for him. How do I protect my kids from these people?
My first thought is to teach them to defend themselves. But how can they defend themselves from a mass shooter? Do I give them both a gun?
Does anyone else see where this is going? If we don’t do something soon this problem is going to get worse. We need to look at countries that don’t have a mass shooter problem and emulate them until we come up with something better. We need to nip this in the bud.
I say we look at Canada and emulate their gun control laws then maybe I wouldn’t be so afraid to let go. Maybe I could enjoy watching my boys bloom.
Protecting them from the real threats on social media is a little easier. They still listen to me (Thank God) and right now, they’re not active on the popular sites, but it’s only a matter of time. I feel less worried about this one because my kids’ school has been very good at communicating the dangers of social media to their students. Hopefully, these lessons will stick.
These are some solutions to some very dangerous problems. How about you? Do you have any ideas on how to protect our kids from the threats that are out there? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!
Letting go is so, so hard! I think it is easier when we know and trust the people in our lives to be able to take care of themselves but truly it is difficult navigating today’s world and everyday making these kinds of choices. ❤
It is hard. I trust my kids but I don’t trust the world out there right now, and I worry that some of the harsher realities of life will hurt them. But I guess we all go through that at some point, don’t we?
The best way to teach our kids about the threats out there is to teach them to listen to their gut and the little whispers in the back of their heads. And in truth, finding out that I’d been protected by a guardian (in spirit) when I was that age, has helped me let go of a lot of mama angst. We’re all protected from so much.
Oh thank you for writing that. You made me feel better. I do tell them to trust their feelings and gut reactions. I hope I’ve told them enough, but I’m also glad we have protection out there. That is so good to know. ❤
In addition to gun restrictions, I feel it’s important that children be properly taught to handle and control their emotions, and they should not be afraid to ask for help or talk about their problems. So parents, I think, must assure their children that they can not only talk to them but also will always listen to them.
“Maybe I could enjoy watching my boys bloom.” That really hit home, Lisa. We should be able to, shouldn’t we? Maybe it requires a little bit of denial or naiveté? I love watching my boys develop their own independent interests–but yes it’s scary too. I wish I had some answers! Just more questions.
I feel you, Lisa, and the understandable worry you are experiencing. I went through similar anguish with my daughter. I think most parents do, even when their children are older. Whenever the worry consumed me, I prayed a little more for her protection and I kept nagging her about being aware and listening to her intuition. I still do! 💞 Hugs to you.
Thanks for the support, Michele. I guess worrying about them never ends. I will make sure and encourage them to trust their instincts. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
You are welcome. I am happy to offer it. I know the feeling all too well. My artist daughter lived in a van, that she refurbished, and worked at festivals along the West Coast, before she finished at the U of O. Talk about worry!!
Oh my gosh. I would’ve been so worried, but what an experience for her!
I was so worried, but she was determined. She was also prepared and protected, as much as one can be, I suppose. No one said parenting would be easy! 😓
US school and college shootings are a big concern. Many of us who live in countries where access to guns is controlled just question to the logic of gun lobbies. Why do we need guns in the first place? Except for the law enforcers, no one needs guns. I think the government needs to understand they only make the country unsafe for its own citizens. Yes, letting go is the only option for many things in life; we have to allow things to take their own course.
Thanks for stopping by, Arv. I agree with you wholeheartedly on the need for stronger gun laws. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your wisdom with all of us!
I hope your country improves on the safety front. It is a terrible idea to have “terrorists” roaming freely in your own city and you never know where they strike!
Exactly!
Wow, where did the time go, Lisa? Very insightful post. I honestly didn’t have the fears you and other parents carry now when my son went to University of Windsor in Ontario (just across from Detroit). Trust that you’ve given them enough skills to do the right things. Though mass shootings are out of our control, there needs to be stricter gun laws in place. Really, a no brainer. So to your son, I say be aware of his surroundings. Know where the exits are in buildings or a place to hide if something unforeseen happens. Hugs and I feel for you, girlfriend!