Hard Discussions With Our Children
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Usually, I like to sprinkle humor in my posts. That's my personality - to find a chuckle in everything.
This week, I'm not chuckling.
And, I'm a bit tongue-tied.
Me.
This week, my quaint, small town experienced a tragedy.
A tragedy that included a bus driver and two second grade girls. As reported HERE.
Amidst all the FB chatter, emails, hub-bub at pick-up after school, and news reports, I have had to address the issue of molestation with my children. Again.
Some may find the discussion of molestation to be unnecessary with their children.
Maybe due to embarrassment, or being unsure of how to handle the conversation.
Perhaps, one believes their child is too young for the discussion. Or, too old.
"I've already talked with my child about this issue." So why revisit?
Me?
My father taught me to drive offensively. Rather than a defensively.
So, I had the discussion.
Again.
And hated it.
I was careful not to mention to my son that the incident involved two students from his school. The last thing I wanted was for him, innocently, to blurt out to friends that two little girls in school had been "hurt" by their bus driver.
He looked petrified during our discussion. And on the verge of tears, as I once again addressed this uncomfortable subject.
He landed in our bed that night . . .
Harper's eyes which are already huge, grew even wider as I talked with her. She simply asked, "Why would an adult want to do that?"
We prayed for the girls and their families. (And even the bus driver. That was hard.)
Are you struggling to have this conversation with your child?
I don't always know the right words to say. But, I'm an actor. Hand me a script and I'll follow it.
Please do not fear talking with your children about molestation. There. I said it again.
Molestation.
Be well, my Pittsburgh Moms.
And may our children be protected from creeps.
That's all I've got for you this week.
Joline Pinto Atkins is an actress who also uses the web as her world-wide stage and can also be founding writing at The Cuppa Jo, and is the founder and a contributor at Daily Fast Fuel. Joline is wife to one (phew - that's good to know) and mother of two amazing children, aged 11 and 7, who are both named after authors. Addicted to fitness, she is an Independent Team Beachbody Coach and sweats out any daily angst by running (not with sharp objects) and P90X'ing, and longs for good books, vats of coffee, and an endless supply of buffalo wings - which she will not share with you. So, please, do not ask.