When do I stop being fearful? ... Fearful of someone abducting my boys. Last night while watching TV there was an Amber Alert issued for a 6 year old boy from Fremont. The banner running across the screen indicated that the victim was a 6 year old boy and he was abducted by a male suspect who was armed. When I was reading the alert I started to become anxious about the welfare of my boys. Of course they were right here at home with me, but it got me started thinking about when we go out in public. Sometimes I take the boys to the mall, out to lunch, to the park, to their classes, the gym daycare, etc ... I started to imagine the horrible ... what if someone abducted one or both of my boys. I felt ill and sick to my stomach. I know I shouldn't concern myself about those things but you have to admit that as a parent those thoughts are always in the back of your mind. I couldn't imagine what the mother of the 6 year old boy must be feeling. Every minute that passed I was putting myself in the mother's place and I felt disgusted. Then I felt anger. How dare someone take a young child away from his mother. Envision how scared and worried his mother must be.
I then started to question myself ... do I keep a good eye on my boys while we're out? Do I pay attention to anything or anyone that might appear suspicious or dubious? I hate the way these absurd panic attacks affect me. As my children get older I believe that these illogical fears could get in the way of their development. I do not want to raise my children to be frightened of everything in this world, but hopefully to educate them of the world we live in today and to continue their maturity in their social and expressive growth.
*Update: Thankfully the boy was found safe and his father who abducted the little boy, was arrested.
Comments