Earlier this week, my little boy (five) told me that "a sniper is out in woods shooting at people." (sigh) I asked him where he heard that from, figuring a classmate told him or he overheard some older kids at lunch. I'd been careful not to discuss it with him present or to have the news on while he was awake or in the room. Some things aren't meant for little ears. Much to my surprise, his kindergarten teacher told him. My little guy further informed me that his teacher told him the "sniper was killing people." Why? Why must these teachers take it upon themselves to scare five year-olds? I see a candidacy for the school board in my future.
I'm careful to let my little boy be a little boy. I was pretty young when my grandfather was murdered by two worthless pieces of career criminal trash. On a side note, thanks to The Drug War filling up prisons to capacity, one of them is already out on parole. Gee, thanks prohibitionists!
My grandfather's murder had a profound effect on my childhood and further, my adulthood. There are really no words to express the impact, you'd have to experience something similar in order to relate.
And now, there are no words to express my outrage at this teacher taking it upon herself to teach my child about death at age five.