(Yorkshire in bloom)My 9 yrs old daughter hardly slept last night. I was worried she was poorly or she had some problems at school, but just before leaving the house she burst out in tears and told me “Mum, I do not want to die of swine flu!”. I quickly tried to reassure her and off she went still worried but with a bit of trust in her mummy who said that everything was under control? But is it? I think the hype around the flu is already getting so huge that our kids have already started feeling the strain. TV is full of it, even the kids’ channels talk about the deaths in Mexico, the cases in Scotland and definitive spreading all over the world. I’m worried, as most of us probably are, but mainly for this confused amount of information thrown at us from all over. How can we face a pandemic if we cannot face our own information system?
CBBC [a BBC children channel in the UK] was highlighting this morning in their Newsround the sick school children in NYC and the fact that the Governor of California had declared a state of emergency. Are these good measures not to spread panic among the population? Or perhaps don’t they consider children part of the population? Of course we want to be informed but what about our children? Don't’ they deserve to get on with their lives and let us worry about this kind of issues?
19 comments:
I'm really sorry for your little girl.Anyhow,think she has to learn how to cope with life and its small or great troubles.You can't prevent her from suffering, unfortunately. This is growing-up , when we learn life is also sufference. I can understand your anger against the media which always amplify breaking news giving them hammering attention. I really sympathize with you. My sons didn't want to enter our house again after the 6th April earthquake, even though we were reassured the scars in the walls were not dangerous. They have experienced a strong earthquake twice inside their home and , believe me, it can be terrible, destibilizing. My feelings are just like yours: "How can we help them to face such tragic events?" Sometimes we are powerless. But I'm sure they look at us and at our reactions. If we believe in life, hope in the future, face our fears and, especially, love them and talk to them ... they will discover that being brave isn't "NOT to be afraid" but to face our own fears.
just reassure them, yes let them know there are concerns in this world, but if we can take precautions, & believe in our faith.
huggies to her, & you...
I hope she's feeling a little better now. I think your commenter Maria said it very well: while there are things to worry about in this world, how you react will go a long way towards calming your daughter's fears. Declaring a state of emergency is probably a little hyperbolic, but it is an effort to stop the spread and to curtail travel. The media hype is a good opportunity for discussion, to show that a lot of people get worried over things they don't need to worry about...that a common sense approach is always best.
Influenza (the plain ol' seasonal influenza) kills thousands of people in the U.S. alone every year. Staying healthy and strong goes a long way towards fighting off infections, but the common sense approach of handwashing, etc., helps stop the spread.
I believe that knowledge is power, and the more you learn about a situation, the better you know how to deal with it. CDC.gov has lots of information out there, and I believe there is no reason to panic.
Hope your little one will rest easier tonight. :)
The news here makes is sound like everyone is in dire risk. I try not to watch it. The media is out of control. My plan is to wash my hands a lot. Stay away from coughing and sneezing people and don't go to Mexico.
I'm both glad and sad that I don't watch TV at all. I know about the possible pandemic because of our newspapers, but I'm missing all the hype and panic. Our university was very matter-of-fact when it responded to the questions about swine flu it was getting from parents and employees — it just came out with a guide about how to avoid flus in general and added FAQs about swine flu. Maybe you can have a session with your daughter about it. It's easier not to be scared when you know what it is and what you can do to avoid it, instead of it just being some vague monster over your head.
I don't like it when media goes crazy about anything. Instead of helping, it just creates panic :(
On a different note, I love the blossoming tree that you posted up there!
I actually feel like the news should come with an R rating. Ok maybe not R but how about PG13. We try not to watch the news when the kids are around but do keep them up to date and current by provinding newspaper articles when appropriate. There is enough time to worry when they get older.
Best things about kids...they bounce back fast!
I do think the media are behaving irresponsibly creating fear needlessly. I saw yesterday a headline that the flu had killed a child. 'Killed'? There are stories on what 'might happen'. I might get run over crossing the road.
Yorkshire in bloom is lovely. I do hope your daughter is reassured.
Also thought you might like to know White Tiger has now gone to Paris to be be read. Maybe we should all have signed it.
Ciao Antonella. Beautiful shot, everything is in bloom here too :) now we just need a wee bit of sun!
I'm sorry your daughter was scared. How is she now? I'm quite glad I don't have a TV at home. ;) I don't know why they just don't say a bit more frequently that the swine flu is quite like an ordinary influenza. It's easier not to be scared when you know what it is and what you can do to avoid it, right? :)
Have a very happy day!
Ad how long before the kids cop on to this and start using just a sniffle as an excuse to stay off school and claim to have the swine flu.
Some things the kids need not know about xx
Hello Antonella, I love your pink blooming tree. Swine flu is pretty scary & I'm so sorry it worries your daughter. It is a worry & it's even more scary for kids. I feel bad for her. I can email you some photos of Buddy looking at the camera for your daughter. As I couldn't find an email here could you email me? There's a link on my blog & I'll send a photo right back to you. OK? Do take care.
My 11-year-old daughter seems obsessed with the news reports at the moment.
I can't help but think there are othe stories more important.
I'm back again to tell you I just tagged you with an award over at my blog!
Please pop on over and pick it up!
We had to hand a letter to every kid in class today about Swine Flu. This is in addition to an email that went out to every parent that is connected to the school system via email. Not that I'm not worried, but it seems so blown out of proportion. Sorry, but people die every day from so many preventable illnesses. Why is it that we only call to arms when we think something my burst our little bubbles?
Your poor little girl. I'm sure this whole swine flu is terrifying for the little kids. I'm not worried about it. I think the media is making it sound worse than it is. I don't think it's any more deadly than the good ole fashion flu most of us get every year.
Have a good weekend.
Apart from comforting your little girl, it's the perfect time to get her to help in making lots of yummy salads and vegies to boost your immune system.
Wishing your family an abundance of health.
xxx
Hi Antonella,
I feel so sorry for your daughter, she`s only young and doesn`t understand how manipulative the media is. Of course we should be concerned but we need to keep it in perspective, scaremongering is bound to cause panic and widespread upset. How lovely that you managed to reassure her. Take care.
Hugs
Sandra xxxx
@Maria Grazia: You’re right, she will have to learn to cope with life but fro the moment I prefer her not to be frightened by the news. I can imagine your sons’ fear after experiencing the tremors. Up in the North of Italy we did not feel it but were very scared as well. And a couple of weeks later there was a small tremor in our area and everybody was panicking thinking of L’Aquila! Hope your kids a bit more relaxed now.
@Sugar: Do you know Sugar, I’ve read lots and lots of comments to the swine flu news but one only person suggest to say a prayer….I guess praying is not seen very “fashionable” any more…Hugs to you.
@Beth: She’s a little better by now, although even the kids’ programs won’t stop talking about it. Information is good but what about blowing everything out of proportion?
@LaBelette: Here Internet, tv, radio, papers etc. are inundated with the flu news and I daresay gossip. Rather difficult not to avoid, unfortunately. Ciao.
@Hilda: We should all get a leaflet with information and precautions here in the UK by next week. I will talk to her more when we get it. In some schools the kids have been asked to have hand sanitizing gel with them, just as matter of hygiene, but nobody knows exactly what to do yet. Have a nice week.
@ModernMom: Yes, I think my kids have always been more scared of watching the news than the gloomiest Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings movies! Maybe it’s because that the news are real….Thank for the award. I’m very honoured.
@Mo: Great to hear that White Tiger has emigrated to Paris! Hope you’ve enjoyed as I did. Yorkshire is really beautiful at the moment, although a bit chilly.
@Kia: I’ve heard that many people in Italy have stopped eating pork in spite of our PM eating “mortadella” in public! I bet they’ve started “assaulting” the pharmacies to stockpile Tamiflu and similar medications as well!!!
@Yummy mammy: Thanks for visiting. Really hope that won’t be next excuse. I bet some of them hope their school will be closed soon!!!
@Elizabeth: I’d love to see more Buddy’s photos. I will contact you by email. Thanks.
@Jane: Fortunately by now, swine flu is not in “pole position” in the news anymore! I think kids have a great passion for dramatic news anyway! Ciao.
@Laura: I think prevention and information are always good, but foreseeing the apocalypse on a kids’ channel is not the best move towards prevention.
@Missie: Hope it’s really like that, Missie. Now there are already saying that it may subside in the summer but the flu will be back with vengeance in autumn. So reassuring! Hope my daughter won’t get wind of this new prediction!!!
@Helenna: You’re right, keeping fit and healthy is a good move. This is a excellent idea for getting her to eat more fruit and vegetables. Hope things are calmer down under than here!
@Sandra: As I said above, she’s calmer now and she washes her hands more often (hurray!). Hope little Sophie is well and thriving. Ciao!
Ciao Antonella, what's the name of that adorable tree in your photo? :) There are many trees like that one here too, but I am sooo bad with plants names *blush*
I've just read your reply :) I keep forgetting to have a look – luckily I wanted to ask you about the tree, hehe! ;) Well, I don't know of anyone in Italy that have stopped eating pork and none of my Italian friends is scared. A couple of my friends in the US were scared, but they just asked “what to do” to their MD. Don’t know there, but today we got in the mail a brochure about the swine flu (by NHS). Take care and have a lovely evening with your family! :)
@Ciao Kia, non so assolutamente come si chiama l'albero nella foto. Sono sicuremente peggio di te per quanto riguarda la botanica. Sono anche terribilmente negata per il giardinaggio! Non abbiamo ancora ricevuto la brochure sulla swine flu. Ma perche' in Italia la chiamano "febbre suina"? E' ufficialmente classificata come influenza! Cari saluti.
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