Mommy (Daddy), Why do those people want to hurt everyone?

Last week, world was shaken by another terrorist attack. Hot on heels of Live 8 benefits and in middle of G8 Summit, bombs exploded in London. Adults around globe were glued to CNN and spent time discussing their feelings about event around water cooler at work, with their partners at home or in online discussion groups and e-mails. Collectively, we reached out and were comforted and reassured by words of Prime Minister Tony Blair and other world leaders.

Many adults, however, do not realize how many kids are exposed to same news. Older children may read newspaper or watch news on TV. Others may be exposed to "breaking news" during an interruption in their favorite cartoon t.v. program and still others can easily stumble across information online via MSN, Yahoo, Google or any of other online portals. While adults were declaring their solidarity in War On Terror last week, many children's anxieties and fears were being overlooked.

In our efforts to protect our children and preserve innocence of childhood as long as possible, we attempt to shield them from atrocities that occur in today's turbulent times. When events such as bombs in London, events at elementary school in Belsan, Russia in September, 2004 and September 11th attacks on World Trade Center occur, our natural instinct is to not discuss events of day with our children. Yet, as news of terrorist attacks or other tragedies surround them, your children may be feeling frightened, anxious, sad and confused.

“Hey honey, when we get pregnant, how about if we name our baby Jack, if it’s a boy?” The husband responded, that no, he indeed did NOT like that name. As time went by, they acquired a cat. They were having a hard time finding a name for male feline. Finally husband just said, “You like name Jack so well, let’s give that name to cat. Because I am NOT having a son named Jack.”

So couple went happily on their way, enjoying newlywed life and their new cat, Jack.

After a bit of time passed, happy couple learned they were expecting a bundle of joy to be born later that year. They began overwhelming task of deciding on names. It’d be easy if baby was a girl. They agreed upon a girl’s name long before they were ever married.

They poured over baby naming books; they shared ideas; they made lists; they tried coming up with a boy’s name using this method; then they tried that method. Still nothing. They could not agree on a boy’s name.