Walking back to my classroom after lunch yesterday, I came upon a third grade child sobbing in the hallway. She was being comforted by a few friends, but I stopped to see if I could help her. With tears streaming down her cheeks she choked out,
My daddys in Iraq and we haven’t heard from him. We don’t know where he is. We don’t know! …I WANT my daddy…
What do you say to that?
If he’s still alive, chances are great that he IS in harm’s way. She’s 12,000 miles from home.
That’s a lot to carry at any age,
but especially when you are eight years old.
Wow
I don’t want to even venture a guess as to what you should say in such a situation. You just have to be there for her, I guess, and be the stable person in a time of instability. I have a number of students whose parents are in the air force (base nearby) and I have often had to comfort my kids at times of conflict (mostly Afghanistan), but it would be dishonest to know what to say in these moments.
Best of luck
Kevin
Thank you Kevin. Even while they bleed your heart, situations like this sure make you feel thankful for what you have, don’t they?