Today, I watched like many others in an absolute state of shock. There is yet more news of a school shooting. I have absolutely no idea why this keep happening (like most others who are probably wondering the same thing). I wasn’t going to blog about this because honestly, this is just one of those things that is SO sad, I don’t care to dwell on it. But today, my intelligent, kind hearted tween walked out of school and got in the truck, buckled her seatbelt and said:
“Mom, Why is this world becoming evil?”
I looked at her with a blank stare. I truthfully had NO idea how to answer her. For the first time in my parenting life, I had no idea what to say. I had no idea what the answer would be. I had no idea what expression I was giving her. The ride home was so incredibly silent.
In the last 30 days there have been 2 shootings. The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting hit home for me because I have a child in elementary school, age 8. I could NOT imagine dropping him off at school and not picking him up. Please do not misunderstand me.. I couldn’t imagine dropping a child of ANY age off at school and not picking them up, but this was more sensitive for me because I have a child that was the same age as many of the victims were. This goes so much further then just school shootings though. There were a number of other shootings that also happened in the last few months to the last decade.
Todays shooting, thankfully did not take any lives. It did have some injuries though. This doesn’t make it any less of a sad tragedy though. The Taft Union High School shooting was still very sad. My daughter was so very right.. Why IS this world becoming evil? Something I never shared here (but did on Facebook) is that a few days after the Sandy Hook shooting, my children’s (both since they are within 4 blocks of each other) were on lock down. Since in these situations they do not want any information getting outside of the school (perhaps in the event someone was outside waiting to get in) they do not answer the phone lines. I was sent an email and also a phone message along with other parents. All we could do is support each other on the outside and wait. It was scary. I felt what all those parents felt just DAYS earlier. Thank goodness, my situation ended differently and my children were eventually released without any injuries or problems. It was a threat, the school took it very aggressively and very seriously and it in turn closed off the school and made the threat nothing more then a threat. Still, as a parent, your heart sinks. I did not want to send my kids BACK to school after that.
What is the answer? Is there an answer? Why is this happening and WHY is the world becoming so evil?
About Bobbie
I had to avoid the news today, I just couldn’t watch any more right now. I wouldn’t have any idea how to answer either. It’s so sad that our children have to even ask that question.
Yes, it’s hard, it’s plastered every where. It really makes it hard to avoid at times!
Taft is about 30 minutes outside of Bakersfield — where I was born and raised. This is so close to home for me, there are no words. To add insult, the student injured is a family member of an acquaintance (and FB) friend of mine. I also have a 3rd degree connection to the person sitting next to the student that was shot. Close to home? TOO MUCH!
I strongly believe that the more media attention we give the school shootings, the more they will happen. It becomes empowering for any person who has an issue with someone. And because our schools are not designed to protect students from this kind of situation, it becomes an easy target (no pun intended).
Why is the world becoming evil? I would answer because of our government. Look at the policies and laws put into place by our government. And the more they add to it, the more evil our world will become.
Yesterday’s shootings were the icing on the cake for me — Zadey will not return to school on Monday from our Christmas break. And my boys will never attend public school. Unless the world does a 180 for the better, I’m keeping them home with me. I believe I can do a better job educating then they can, anyway.
I though of you the moment they said the location. So very sad! I hope all the people involved recover quickly!
I agree with keeping the kids home. The problem I’m having with home schooling them is that I don’t even have the skills to help my tween with her math now.. How will I do it in the future. We’ve looked into charter schools and its certainly an option out there for us, but we haven’t decided.
I think the government is to blame for a lot. My personal opinion. I think all guns should require a safety lock when purchased. If people don’t have said safety lock on when kids get them and this happens, they are as responsible as the person who carried out the act! And let’s remove the concealed carry law. Why is this even needed?