Today's Thoughts

I have been thinking about this for a while - really since Theo was born. We are surrounded by images of violence. Every day, on TV, in the newspaper, and we hear about it on the radio. Violence targeting women, children and yes, men also. It's nuts! This society glorifies violence. And if it's not glorified, violence is made to look funny!

Before having a child I didn't think about it much. It's not real - right? But then I did have a child and all of a sudden I find more meaning in what I see. Violence towards children in TV shows and movies in particular gets to me now! Why is this considered entertainment? It's on TV so much - we are being de-sensitized on a daily basis. And if it's not us, it's our kids. If they are allowed to see any of this stuff (which Theo isn't at this point) it is sadly considered funny - it's not considered to be real - it isn't considered to be carrying any meaning! Well, in my humble opinion this is simply wrong!

Don't get me wrong. I've certainly done my share of watching the TV and movies and have seen more action films and mystery/crime shows that I can count at this point. But I just don't get all the gratuitous violence.

This has carried over into our daycare in a sense. Cheryl is awesome and does not permit any form of toy guns in the daycare. But that has not prevented one mother to disrespect all the other parents' wishes by allowing her two kids to bring in toy guns to the daycare one day. And when this was not permitted these kids used lego blocks to make them look like guns. Some of the other kids copied them - including Theo. What many kids, especially the young ones, don't tend to understand is that shooting someone is not a good thing. It's not funny, it's not a game - it shouldn't be taken lightly. It's not something that should be taught to little ones. Shooting someone in reality causes injury and/or at worst death. It's final. People don't get up afterwards. Now at 2 years of age I don't expect a child to be able to comprehend death. But I also don't want Theo to play at something that he doesn't understand yet.

Now I want to ensure that those of you that read this blog know that Cheryl put a stop to the toy gun or just playing at shooting thing at daycare the second it happened. She is the hands down best daycare provider you could ever hope to have your child taken care of. We love her!!! But what had happened with this particular parent and her kids in addition to what I have seen on TV in general gave me pause for thought. Do we as parents really pay attention to what we see around us and what our children see? It's important I think to have our eyes open and recognize things for what they really are.

I know. Sooner or later Theo will be more fully exposed to all of this. And I understand that. But it doesn't have to be now.