Talking to Our Kids About War and Other Current Events
Laura and Madona, co-hosts of the podcast Raising Up Copts, delve into the topic of discussing war and current events with children. They share their personal experiences and approaches to educating their children about these sensitive issues. They also discuss the effects of information overload on the mental health of young people today.
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Episode Summary
Approaching War and Current Events With Children
Laura and Madona, co-hosts of the podcast "Raising Up Cops," discuss how to approach the topic of war and current events with children. Laura shares her experience growing up where the family would watch the news together and discuss current events, while in her current home, they don't have a regular news routine. She asks Madona about their approach, and Madona mentions that they are more open and straightforward with their children. She emphasizes the importance of each family finding their own way to approach these topics.
Madona's Family's Approach to International News Discussions
Madona shared her family's approach to discussing international conflicts with her children. She mentioned their prayers for the people involved in the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli war. Madona also shared how they use a simple and direct approach to explain the situations to their children. She expressed her awareness that they are not directly affected by these conflicts and that their prayers are their primary form of action.
Philosophical Differences in Activism
Laura shared her perspective on the differences in philosophy between herself and her husband regarding their approach to current events and activism. Laura, influenced by the American education system, emphasized the importance of staying informed and being a "freedom fighter." Her husband, on the other hand, prioritizes focusing on tasks within his sphere of influence. Laura expressed her struggle with balancing these differing philosophies, particularly in terms of discussing heavy topics with their children.
Information Overload's Impact on Teenagers
Madona and Laura discussed the issue of information overload and its effects, particularly on young people. They agreed that the constant bombardment of news and social media has led to anxiety and a sense of responsibility in teenagers to fix the world. Laura emphasized the pressure put on teenagers to all be activists and the resulting mental health crisis. Madona pointed out the mismatch between the volume of online noise and the actual impact made by those posting. Both agreed on the need for a more balanced approach to consuming and reacting to information.
Parent-Child Communication Strategies
Laura and Madona discussed the importance of parents guiding their children in processing certain issues. They emphasized the need for parents to share information with their kids, but not to overwhelm them with emotional weight. They also highlighted the importance of parents being aware of their children's capabilities in handling certain topics. Madona shared her approach of presenting information calmly and factually, and not overwhelming her kids with every detail. Both agreed on the importance of discussing issues with their children and providing them with a Biblical perspective.