4yo DS had nightmare about kids being killed

4yo DS climbed into our bed last night sobbing. He said he had a nightmare about kids being killed. I'm pretty sure he saw some footage on Syria. I'm so upset by this. I try to shield him from the violence in the world. I don't even know how to start to explain what happened over there.

Do you watch the news in front of your young children?

At what age do you explain violent current events?

4yo DS had nightmare about kids being killed

I have a 4 year old DD.

I don't watch the news so she doesn't know things like this, yet, but if she did I would simply say that bad people do bad things all over the world but she's safe and I do the very best I can to protect her.

Re: 4yo DS had nightmare about kids being killed

We do not watch the news anymore. A few months ago, there was a lot of coverage on the Boston bombing. And the teacher asked dc a question and he answered her with the word bomb so no more news.

Re: 4yo DS had nightmare about kids being killed

DS is 7 and I don't watch the news with him. Only once, when sandy hook happened, we talked to him and explained what happened. We were sure he was going to listen stories from another kids, so we wanted to make sure he knew it from us.

A couple of months ago he read about Abraham Lincoln's life, including how we was assassinated. For weeks he was having nightmares about that and he was terrified that someone was going to break into our place We tried to reassure him he was safe here.

4yo DS had nightmare about kids being killed

I have the opposite. She's seen zombies on TV and their deaths. I try to limit it since I dont want to EVER be ok to shoot or kill another human being, zombie or not. But she catches it sometimes in passing (before I flip the channel) and yes, she loves playing Plants Vs Zombies with me and containment (the zombie puzzler) - but at least those, the death is with plants? (so unreal) or generic enough graphics that is not violent as the news lately!

She has not seen anything about syria, we do watch the news but I won't watch that so I flip the channel. I still have never seen the video. To her any of those photos would be just people laying down sleeping.

She knows about death. Unfortunately the past few days I've had to sit and talk to her about it a lot since My Dad's health is quickly failing. She is very cold about it. When you die, you go away and can't come back and play anymore. Which is true. She knows mama would be sad if she can't see grandpa anymore but 'thats ok, we had fun'. Its harsh

I don't want to tell her about heaven because its not what I want her to believe in. So I have to deal with reality and frankness of death with her in very black and white terms.

With my heart breaking and my constant attempts to not cry, its hard to look at my daughter who can accept the idea of my Dad dying so much easier than me. She is just now beginning to understand she won't see him, play with his beard, put stickers on him or hug him anymore. She likes his laugh and yes, she pouts. But he's still alive so for her, its confusing. (and me)

Re: 4yo DS had nightmare about kids being killed

I wouldn't explain violent current events at age 4. I think I'd wait until 6 or 7 when they have a better understanding of things such as right from wrong, permanent consequences, etc. I'd just reassure him that he's ok, and that you'll always protect him. And if he specifically asks about what he saw on TV I would try to explain as briefly as possible-that was very far away, and we feel sad for those people, but it's over now and we don't have to worry about it.

Re: 4yo DS had nightmare about kids being killed

Mr Rogers said, when bad things happen always look for the helpers, there will always be someone to help when others are hurt, I'd avoid the news unless like others said if kids will be talking about something let your ds hear it from you first




aaaaaaphonewon't let me delete these aawonderwhy?aa