The news is very heavy these days. I cannot remember a time when I was scrolling through my regular sources of news and felt positive, or that it left me ready to tackle the day’s tasks and responsibilities. Instead, I’ve tended to feel sad, needing a break from reality, and wanting to go hug my children.
I know that it's not realistic to avoid current events or avoid paying attention to what's happening in my local community and around the world, because we need to stay informed. However, when I look at my two young children, I can’t help but wonder how am I going to protect them and what am I going to say to them when they are old enough to ask questions about how the world works?
My family and I have had numerous early conversations about the big-picture beliefs we hold as a family. But when we see the everyday occurrences of mistreatment, murder and death, crime, sickness, and more, we tend to take these one at a time. If you are also wondering how to handle the emotional rollercoaster of current events while raising a young child, here are some things you can also do.
1. Make space for consuming the news in short spurts
Too much of anything can be bad. When we're glued to news, gossip, or the neighborhood know-it-all, we're inundated with information about what's going on with other people and in other people’s lives. By compartmentalizing taking in this information in short or specific time frames, we can be sure to limit the amount of negative news we consume. It can also be helpful to be truly focused on one task at a time. If you give yourself 30 minutes at lunchtime to catch up, then you will be less likely to have a bad attitude during all of your morning meetings or over dinner because you’ve been caught up and are now free to move on with the rest of your day.
2. Practice self-care
Self-care is necessary, period. It's especially necessary when you hear bad news or a story that causes you to feel emotionally drained. Self-care has been a big buzz word recently, so hopefully you know what fills you up by now. One of the benefits of self-care is that you can pull yourself back to your normal, regulated self after some especially hard conversations, realities, and realizations or some newfound information.
3. Counter negativity with positivity
Letting go of the negativity is sometimes easier said than done. When the news shares about another crime or increased sickness, it's easy for that to consume your thoughts for the day. Instead of dwelling on the negativity, it's important to insert some positivity to counter any feelings left over. Positivity could be snuggling with your newborn baby for an extra hour after dinner, or playing games with your children. Positivity could also come from great music or art. Whatever you deem positive should be placed in your life in equal — or even greater — amounts to the negativity you may have to encounter.
4. Make space for emotions and talk when necessary
Your child might not understand what's going on because they're so young. However, they can feel and perceive your emotions. You may need to talk to someone about how you are handling the news. A great place to hash out your thoughts on a current event is with a therapist, a friend, or a fellow member of your church. Additionally, you might want to practice talking about it now, so that when your child is older, you are comfortable explaining certain situations to them in terms they understand.
