This is (kind of) my Wordless Wednesday contribution.
Twice now, Hubs, a news photographer, and I, reporter, have taken our kids, ages 7 and 5, to the scene of tornado devastation.
And I’ve never had any qualms about it.
We answer their questions honestly and point out all the volunteers who arrive — every time — with water, clothing, equipment and offers to help clear the rubble.
I want my children to have a realistic view of the world, especially when it comes to natural and man-made disasters. We can’t shield them forever. (That said, I limit — rigidly — what they watch on television. Maybe it’s because of what I do, but a lot of the gratuitous crap turns my stomach.)
Anyway.
I think it’s important for my kids to understand two things:
Bad things happen, yes. But good people step in to help.
Yes, Tootie is in her too-short jammies. We left really, really early for Scotland, Ark.
Like a renegade... 
Sounds like a good lesson to me. So far all Ava knows about my work is that I see all of her aunties during the day. And all she knows about Daddy’s work is that there’s popcorn she can dump out and try to ruin his keyboard with. Not nearly as good of a life example!
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As one of the editors on duty that day, I can say I’m glad the whole family was there.
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I think those are excellent life lessons for kids to learn, especially the part about people stepping in to help. I don’t think it is ever to early to teach our babies about the value of human kindness.
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too early — stupid typo
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