My WTF Moment: How Do We Protect Our Children?
This past week there have been some disturbing happenings in our local schools, schools where my children, ages 5 and 7, attend. And while nothing tragic had occurred, these events have left me feeling unsettled and wondering, “How do we protect our children from the awful things that go on in this world?”
*This is not a sponsored post.
Perhaps I shelter my kids too much. I do try to be very conscientious and open with them about the realities of this world. But they are only 5 and 7, so how much should they know? Currently, they don’t have many cares at all. There is always food, clothing, a roof over their heads. There is heat and running water. There is an overabundance of toys and other things to keep them always occupied. There is love and care. A lot of it. From every direction in their lives. They are clean, they are decently behaved (although I will sometimes argue in the other direction on that one), they are healthy, they are smart. They really truly want for nothing…except maybe a little bit more of mommy’s attention and candy. According to them, I don’t give them enough candy. And in their sheltered world, not enough candy is apparently quite tragic.
*Sweater: Gap Soft-Spun Open Front Hooded Cardigan
Let me fill you in on the events from this past week. On Tuesday, as I was picking up my youngest from preschool, an announcement came over the intercom that the school was going into lockout status. Initially, I assumed it was a drill. We were already out of the building and heading to the car. I did not think much of it until I went to pick up my oldest a few hours later and I received a phone message from the superintendent. She was informing us of the lockout as well as the details that led up to that decision.
*Leggings: Old Navy Stevie Sueded Ponte-Knit Pants
*Hat: Target
Our local newspaper received an anonymous email just before noon that day. It said this:
Subject: “HELP ME! ~ Trapped inside!”
“Hello, we have picked you and your building to be our next target. We have sent in a student with a bomb. The point is that you will never know who it is. This is for all the times you ignored me and because of the stupid people who think they are better then me, just because they have money. Well this time money will not save them from me. After the first explosion, I will be walking into school and shooting it up. I will let 3 students live as they are my only friends. You will understand my pain and you will soon see that you failed to help me.”
*Booties: Old Navy. Similar here.
They identified no particular building and named no names. In fact, they did not even mention which school district was the target. The result was that three entire school districts in the county implemented lockouts while the threat was being investigated by police.
*Scarf: Old
The result of the investigation has indicated that the threats were most likely part of an international hoax initiated by an online group, Apophis Squad, which has prompted school lockdowns in the United Kingdom and other parts of the United States. Various published reports across the United States have stated that Apophis Squad threats are part of international online game allowing players to score points by leveling false threats at schools.
And to that, my response is: SERIOUSLY. WTF?! This is a game? Like people actually find this entertaining? Where have we gone wrong? And how in the world do we get it back to right? How do we protect our kids? School is supposed to be a safe environment to learn and thrive. Not a place to be infused with fear. And it seems that no school is safer than the next. The whole world is a mess if there are people who think it is a game to perform such activities. I cannot wrap my brain around it. I don’t understand it. I guess I never will. And I’m not sure what to do.
*Jacket: Hooded Camouflage Coat c/o Zaful
Fast forward to Saturday. I was driving to pick up my sons’ birthday cake and my phone rang. I answered it only to hear the superintendent’s voice on the other end…once again. This time she was informing of us that the parent of a former student had published a Facebook post indicating that there was some sort of hit list circulating through our high school. After interviewing numerous students and thoroughly investigating the allegations, school and law enforcement authorities had determined that the entire post was just a rumor. Now I am hoping that the parent who posted it was misguided and thought they were doing a service by sharing the information. I am really hoping that said parent did not post such a thing to create and circulate fear amongst high school students.
In any event, such a rumor was started as a rumor and again my response was an even louder, “SERIOUSLY. WTF?” Hit lists in high schools? I simply cannot grasp what in the world would compel anyone to start such a rumor. High school kids should be worried about their next exam, their college applications, what they are going to wear to the prom, what they are going to wear tomorrow, and whether or not their love interest is mutually interested. They should not be worried about some anonymous hit that may have been placed on their heads. What the f*ck kind of world are we living in? And how do we protect our children from it?
If anyone has any answers or insights into this mess, I would love for you to share them with me. Please. Because my mind is baffled and my heart hurts.
Unsettled on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
43 Comments
Cathy Lawdanski
Shelbee, my 9-year-old grandson came home last week and told me that they had an “intruder drill” at school. I asked him what he was supposed to do when they had an intruder. He said, if the intruder is far away, then you run. If he is close, then you hide. Really? All we can do to protect our children is to tell them to run & hide? Very sad.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cathy, thanks so much for reading and sharing. And I agree, it is so sad that all we can do in our schools is teach the kids to run or hide. What is the next step? Arming our teachers? I don’t think they signed up for that kind of thing! I hope you have a safe and blessed week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
That is terrifying!
So glad this wasn’t a real danger but I hear you – it’s so scary these days. That balance of protecting but not sheltering.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Tamar, thanks so much for reading! And I know that you have to deal with the drills and all the parents and the kids when things like this happen, so I applaud you and what you do in an effort to provide a safe learning environment for our children. Thank you. I wish you a safe and productive week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Codrut Turcanu
I don’t know what to say about this topic, however I feel you… keep up the great work (and look)!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Codrut, thanks so much. I don’t really know what to say on the topic either except WTF! I hope you have a lovely week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jaymie Ashcraft
My sons high school had 3 separate threats after the Florida shooting. They had a lockdown one morning and the sheriffs department removed the student, who posted threat as a joke on Snapchat.
Jaymie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Seriously, Jaymie! He posted it as a joke?! I just don’t get it. How do they think it’s funny? And I think that right after a shooting occurs, you do see an increase in the “fake” threats…which is even more frustrating. I really have no words as I will never understand the mentality behind posting such threats especially as a joke. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your experience. I hope you have a safe and blessed week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Paul
Shelbee that is sad to hear jokes like this, all for the sake of a game or not. My thought is what the f*ck are they thinking, and it seems like most of them are not thinking. No concept of reality, and desensitized to the feelings of others or not having feelings. The best you can do is to prepare your children for these types of situations ( or home school them ) , it is sad but it is the world we live in.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Paul, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the topic. It is a sad reality of our world. And I know that horrible evil people have existed and have performed the darkest of deeds throughout the history of humankind. It just seems to be getting more and more prevalent these days (or the media makes it more so) and the consequences of such actions seem so lax as well. There is quite literally no way to fully protect our children or ourselves for that matter. As if life wasn’t already difficult enough and filled with lots of unexpected and unpreventable tragedies. Why do we also have to deal with preventable tragedies? And now I make light of a not-so-light situation when I say that my children might possibly be less safe if I were to home school them because they would drive we do something crazy! I wish you a wonderful week, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
paul
Shelbee on a lighter note comment, is really funny. You have a great also my beautiful sexy, friend.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Paul, you are very sweet. Thank you.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tiina L
WTF indeed! what is going on in these people’s heads, given what happened in Florida not so long ago. Seriously, that people even think of making jokes or doing something like that as a joke…
Yes, children are entitled to education, but they should be entitled to feeling safe, too.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Tiina, thank you so much for sharing in my stunned reaction! It is just insanity! How can such ugliness be funny? I wish you a very safe and blessed week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Diane
I fear our culture has lost respect for human life and all the love and beauty that is its potential. Our children seem to have lost respect not only for others but for themselves as well. I thank God that my child is an adult and I fear for my grandchildren. There is so much evil in this world. I pray daily for our children and our country.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Diane, thank you so much for sharing your perspective. I agree with you that our culture has lost respect for all sorts of things including human life. It is so very sad. I try to focus on all the kindness around me because there are plenty of good and wonderful people out there. But then things like this hit so close to home, it makes me question my preference for burying my head in the sand when it comes to the ugly stuff in the world. We do need to be aware and take heed and teach our children and grandchildren to be the good ones. I hope you have a safe and blessed week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Here is my take on it, people have lost their collective mind and really starved for attention. Social media has become a way for those who lack self-esteem to become so-called “Big Shots”. So, they post something as a joke or whatever and get off by watching all the action around what they have done. It is sick and sad but our society has become one of getting attention any way possible. A battery works on both negative and positive ions and humans do also. It seems like we are gearing ourselves more towards the negative end.
Just be honest with your kids. That is all you can do, I remember when 9/11 happened and my kids were like 5 and 4 and I told them that there are people in this world who are mean, evil and sick and do bad things. You don’t want to be like that.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Patrick, thank you so much for sharing your perspective on the matter. It really is like the whole world has gone crazy. But then there are also so many wonderful, beautiful, kind, caring, loving people in this world, so why do the wretched ones have to ruin it all?! I am very honest with my kids but I also don’t want them to be afraid of life and the world…Although right now, they are quite fearless. I hope you have a safe and blessed week, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Betty Crow
This is a scary time to have kids in school. It is so sad these things are happening and there seems to be no way to stop them.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It really is, Betty. I just can’t wrap my brain around it. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lorena
This is terrifying just to read, how awful and how scary. Like you say, what are you supposed to do ?
On another subject the boots and jeans look like a one piece, so cool.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lorena, thanks so much for reading. I really don’t know what to do except to hope and pray for the best and teach my children to be kind and caring people. Thanks for the compliment as well. I was really pleased with how perfectly the boots and pants matched! Have a great week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Roxanne
Such a crazy world we live in. What sickos, to toy with the minds and hearts of innocent children and parents! I am so sad that you had to go through this, but also so thankful that it was a false alarm. I am happy that the district took the threats seriously, though. At least you can feel a little more safe knowing your children are in the hands of concerned and watchful people!
Sending you love and good vibes, always!
–Roxanne
http://glassofglam.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Roxanne, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on the topic. Everything was handled by the school district quite well…even before most parents knew what was happening, so no one was really effected much at all. It just struck such a nerve with me that I had to share it. Because I just don’t get it. But you are right…I am so grateful that our school district always errs on the side of caution and handles these things with the utmost seriousness. But events like this make you uncomfortably aware that no one is safe anywhere in this crazy world. Thanks for the good vibes and I hope you have a safe and wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
jacqui
What is the world coming to? How scary this has been, I’d not heard a thing about it! I really don’t know where it will end. Thanks for letting us know what’s been happening to you, hoping things will get back to normal sooner rather than later. Jacqui Mummabstylish
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jacqui, it is crazy stuff, right? And all in the name of earning points on a video game? For real! We are all back to normal and no one is any worse for the wear…the whole thing just struck a nerve with me and I felt the need to share it. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on the matter. I hope you have a lovely week in light of the craziness of our world!
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Christensen
It is such a terrible thing that people have the desire to instill fear into others. I think there are so many things influencing kids like the things they are watching…movies, video games, etc that promote violence and even music that sends messages that devalue and disrespect life. I am a person of faith and believe that there is good and evil and while we need to be kind and love and have compassion, we also need to keep sharing with our kids that bad stuff does happen and they need to be aware, not only to protect themselves, but others as well. Teaching kids how to value each other is a good step and I am sure you do that as a mom. While we can’t protect them from all the bad stuff, we can at least be there to help them understand and teach them how to respond. I’m sorry you and your kids had to deal with this stuff! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Amy, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. And yes, I do try very hard to teach my kids the value of being a kind and respectful, caring and loving person. I try to lead by example and also to explain it to them on their level. I am very proud that my 7 year old is known by teachers and friends as a very kind and helpful kid. In fact, one friend just wrote in his birthday card, “To the nicest, kindest kid I know”. That got me right in the heart strings for sure! So I guess I am doing something right! But yeah, teaching right from wrong and good vs. evil and why some people do bad things is a daunting task for a parent. I appreciate all of the helpful feedback I am receiving on this topic! I hope you have a safe and happy week, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lisa Richardson
Good grief! I could feel my blood pressure go up just reading all of this. Shelbee, I don’t know how we are going to fix this. It’s like this world is just circling the drain. I think all we can do is teach our own children right from wrong, instill kindness and nurture them. It’s scary as all get out and while I’m on this side of the school situations with my kids being almost completely done with schooling, now I’ll be worried when I have grandchildren. What kind of heinous conditions will they be subject to? Love those kids, and love em’ hard! XOXO
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lisa, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. It really does leave us kind of helpless, doesn’t it? And I guess the answer is just like you said, love our kids, love them hard, and teach them the right way.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kellyann Rohr
It is absolutely terrible and it’s happening more and more. I have no answers just prayers.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kellyann, I think that’s it…we just need to keep praying. And I will do my best to not raise cruel and heartless children. Thanks for reading. May you have a safe and blessed day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Ada
WTF INDEED!? These threats are not funny. They are happening in ALL of our schools in a daily basis and no one can do anything about them. That is truly THE sad part!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It is so sad and so frightening, Ada! All we can do is pray and love and spread kindness all around us and hope to make a change! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
I am with you on this Shelbee. My son goes to preschool and though I know nobody in his school is capable of such a threat (because at 3 or 4 years old I would hope not) but I am still very aware of what is going on with the schools around the nation and it scares me. I don’t even understand how someone can go to this extreme knowing that it would hurt someone else. It is very sad but I am glad that you and your boys are okay.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Maureen, thank you so much for sharing your perspective on the topic. My youngest is only in preschool as well but his classroom is situated in a middle school building and unfortunately his school was under the threat as well. Crazy, right? There are really sick people out there to deliver such heinous threats and instill fear in so many innocent children and their parents. I guess the best we can do is pray for good and keep injecting love and kindness into the world.
xoxo
Shelbee
Wrae Sanders
It’s so hard to know how to protect our kids without entirely freaking them out. My sons are in middle school together..for now. I also have a 4th grader. I worry a lot, as my kids are in a large school district and there are so many flaws in the safety system. I make sure I tell them everyday before they leave that I love them.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Wrae, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the issue. I think all we really can do is what you said…just love them and make sure they know it. And lots of prayers and positive vibes and kindness and love being put out into the universe…hopefully that is all enough!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marilee Gramith
What is happening in schools reflects the world at large. Lack of maturity, poor judgement, irresponsible behavior, and still developing brains are definitive of being a young person. Attention seeking behavior and self centeredness are additional characteristics of youthful behavior. Our world has become less predictable, more violent and the resulting feelings of insecurity , stress, helplessness and hopelessness are resulting in a critical mass that for many results in emptiness, fear and rage. Technology has provided a pressure vent where anonymity adds fuel to recklessness. Kids are easy victims to that feeling of power. Bullying broadens and turns into bomb threats and mass shootings for those who are numb, detached and despairing.
Continue doing what you are doing Shelbee. The loving kindness you send into the world is crucial, healing and equally impactful.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jude, this commentary is brilliant and ever so moving. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and your perspective. I will continue doing what I do because it is all that I know how to do. Kindness and love are the most important things that we can offer to the world. And they do save the day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marilee Gramith
Oh yeah, I forgot to say how perfect your camo outfit is for going to battle for good in the world. The force is clearly with you!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I love that! It is definitely my battle gear. And I have a lot of it because I definitely need it!
xoxo
Shelbee
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