I Take It For Granted That My Kids Are Safe at School

Today was not unlike any other day in my routine life.

I got up, worked out, showered, made my kids breakfast, signed their permission forms and sent them off to school. I kissed them both and told them I loved them and sent them out the door without giving it another thought.

Every day we go about our routine and, for the most part, I don’t worry.

I don’t listen to the news afraid of hearing about an active shooter roaming through my kids’ school. I don’t worry that my kids are hiding in a closet, terrified to make a sound because someone with a gun, usually another kid, is literally hunting people. I don’t have to wonder if my child’s teacher will get them to safety in time. If they will lock the door and hide in a corner. I don’t have to worry if my kids’ cries will alert a shooter to their hiding place. I don’t have to stand outside on a sidewalk, surrounded by police cars, waiting for the authorities to take the shooter into custody or to kill them.

It doesn’t cross my mind that my kids might not be safe in their school.

I do wonder if my kids have enough lunch packed for the day. I do worry about how they did on their presentation and if they are struggling in math class. I do stress over the field trip I forgot to pay for and the birthday party invite I have to respond to.

My kids are safe, and I take it for granted. I take it for granted that my kids sit in their classrooms and learn without fear of violence.

Last week 17 people were murdered while sitting in class in a high school.

Let that sink in.

17 people were murdered while sitting in class in a high school. Kids trying to learn, teachers trying to teach. I take for granted that I live in a relatively safe country.

There are parents around the world who will not sit at the dinner table with their kids tonight. Who will not argue with their kids about their homework. There are parents around the world who will not get to kiss their kids goodnight.

Tomorrow morning, I will get up to work out, shower, make my kids breakfast, sign their permission forms and send them off to school. I will kiss them both and tell them I love them and send them out the door without giving it another thought.

I probably won’t appreciate that parents everywhere don’t have the luxury of expecting their kids to be safe at school.

I will go about my day. I will take it for granted that my kids are safe at school.

I wish all parents around the world could do that.