Hello There! I’m writing a casual post today, in the spirit of outreach to check in on how the parents are doing. Many of the app developers I know are parents of young children. I’m wondering if your thoughts were scattered (like mine) throughout the weekend in attempts to process the news. If this is the case, you’re not alone. I’ve been talking to parents in every direction, and we are all coming up at a loss.
As the week moves on, no doubt I’ll have something to say about an app, a technology term, or a special deal on Friday. But I’ll say it in a new context, one that is more interconnected with the parents around me. Thanks to those of you who are checking in on your friends, or taking some extra time to listen to others. Those types of deeds tend to help quite a bit.
Lorraine,
Unfortunately, NOT being a parent does not make you immune. I’ve basically been in a daze since Friday, trying to find something to do to keep my mind off the tragedy. I can’t even imagine what it would be like for a parent.
I hear you Bob. And of course you are correct, everyone seems to be impacted by the events. I guess that’s why I put this out there, it’s not “business as usual” for me yet…nor do I think, after hearing that news, I’d want it to be. –Lorraine
I have found myself caught between total media immersion (as in “I can’t turn away even though I know I should stop reading/watching the news”) and avoidance (also know as reading “The Onion”).
And then other times I am literally sobbing, while reading blog posts from parents struggling with their children’s mental illness issues or families trying to heal from experiences with gun violence. To say it has been an emotional week is an understatement, but I am ever hopeful that this incident may have actually hit our country hard enough to get a real response this time.
Oh, how I am every hopeful … through my tears.
Hi,
I live in Spain, but I´m feeling this terrible tragedy inside my heart, I´ve been having nightmares since friday… this is the first school year of my little girl and I can´t stop imaging how hard must it be for the victim´s parents. My little girl just arrived from school and I hughed her so hard that she asked me to stop, she´s just 3 but she saw the news and undertood what was happening, how can I explain her this terrible situation? I wish I could do something to release the pain of that families…
Hi Carisa, I am also keeping tabs on the news. Not because I want to torment myself, but because I believe it’s our duty to stay in tune enough to learn the lessons. Also, I would like more information on the circumstances, motives, etc. It’s possible we can use the heightened sense of awareness and collective action for something productive, but part of making that happen is to keep the debate alive in our thoughts.
Hi Andrea, thanks for leaving a comment and for reading. I think parents of young children are going through scenarios in their head, and that is what is freaking us out. We can’t imagine harm upon these little people, because that is a root definition of evil, really.
I’ve heard parents who used to teach, who want locks on doors. I hear parents say we need gun laws. I hear parents say we need to address mental health. I’m sure all of those things are necessary and past due. But to get there, we need to elevate our contributions to others, care more about others, and talk more to others. Only then will we uncover local issues that need to be addressed.
Hi Lorraine, Thanks for checking in.
As a mother of a 10 month old, part of me is glad I don’t have to explain these tragedies to her, yet. But if things continue in the way they have, Then by the time she goes to school, not only will I have to speak to her about it but I’ll have to somehow convince myself that I should take her to school. I am glad it has sparked conversation and debate about the issues on school safety, mental illness and gun control, and I hope that something good will come out of all the debate.
Hi Lucy, thanks for checking in here on the blog, I do appreciate the comment. Congratulations, being a mother of a 10 month old. My kids are 7 and 9 now, but I remember the days. I do believe that people are getting a clue, that community is important, and that society needs to acknowledge we are at rock-bottom. It can only go up from here. –Lorraine