I've Got Bigger Fish to Fry

And so do my children.

Last week, there was a problem with some children I know.  Child A had thrown Child B's necklace and broken it.  This was, obviously, not a good thing to do.  But, Child B's mother made the comment, "What do I tell my child?  How do I explain to my child why this happened?"

Recently, I've also heard this question in regard to nursing your child in public.  "How do I explain what you're doing to my child?  I don't want to have to answer that question."

These questions make me want to scream.  I just didn't know why.  I was telling Gary about it, and my reaction to it, when he said, "And I want to know how to tell a soldier's kid that his dad isn't coming home from the war."

Yup, he hit it on the head.  I've got more important things to worry about.  I've got friends who are deployed.  I have friends who's spouses are deployed.  My children have been to more funerals (for non-soldiers) in their short lifetimes than I had been to before I was 21.  My children have more important things to worry about than a necklace breaking.

I have often wondered whether my children have too many things.  After all, they do not seem to get near as upset if something breaks as I think they should.  But, they do get extremely upset if they hear about someone suffering, someone dying, someone being abused, someone hungry...  You get the picture.  I have come to the conclusion that it is not lack of concern, rather it is concern about the right things.

My children have bigger fish to fry.  And for all they want more and more toys, more and more stuff, they are happy with playing with boxes and yarn.  They are more than willing to go through their toys to donate to those less fortunate.  They gladly spend time culling and giving.  They are lovers.  They make me proud.

Today, if your child gets a toy broken by another child, explain to them that these things happen.  Sometimes the other child just didn't understand that the toy was fragile.  Sometimes the other child was mean.  Sometimes the other child was just too young to be handling the necklace.  Explain that life will go on.  Then, introduce your child to someone who doesn't have as much as he does.  Because, chances are, if you live in America, there is always someone somewhere who does not have as much as you do, no matter how poor you are.  We are a rich country, where even our poor thrive.  Teach your child to stop thinking about himself all the time.

While you're at it, get over the small stuff.  Look around you.  Understand that there is a lot more going on.  Get on with your life and be thankful for what you don't have to tell your children.