Kids watch a lot of TV
And often it is on in the background, all day long.
So this morning, during Reading Meeting, one of my kids (8, 9 and 10 year olds) asked about the situation in Washington, DC. He wanted to know why there was so many angry people.
We talked about the fact that angry and upset adults sometimes don’t choose an appropriate way to express their anger, and that it’s okay to have anger, but we need to “use our words” and avoid hurting others even if we are very, very upset or mad.
Kimamana (her name means “Butterfly” in Dakota) is usually an introspective participant in our class discussions who tends to think a lot before she adds to whatever we’re talking about. She said, “First, my grandmother gets COVID. Then, we can’t go to school. Then police keep killing people. Now, grownups are being bullies with guns. Do you think it’s going to get worse?”
We didn’t even get into “inciting a riot” or staff members who need to quit because their workplace in the White House or in the Capitol building are so toxic.
- They should just cut it out.
- Their kunsi (grandma) should send them to their room to think about it.
- Maybe they should hit a pillow when they get real mad. That’s what my mom said to do.
- If you gotta break stuff, just go behind the garage and throw some rocks into the woods because nobody gets shot then.
- He (President Trump) should talk to my auntie because she can help him stop (bullying).
- They shouldn’t do stuff that breaks fences and windows. Just get … get a drink of water and go lay down for a while.
- Maybe they (the crowds of angry people) were having a bad day… they gotta get a big breath and start over again.
- They should always wear a mask. (She had noticed that the people in the angry crowds were not masked.)
- I would tell them to try to talk it out and maybe their grandpa or grandma can help them get over it with talking.
- They (the Capital Police) should get a no hitting and no bullying sign. And, tell them (the crowds) to stop it.
- I think the president should go live with someone else for a while until he learns how to do ohoda (respect). And he can bring all his friends with him to learn too.