When I was a young girl I would watch my grandmother as she sat in front of the television to catch the midday news.  The predictable look of pain on her face disturbed me.  Inevitably, she would start crying.  One day I said, “Grammy, if you get so upset watching the news, why do you watch it?”  As I recall, she had no answer.

As an adult now, I choose not to watch the news – much to the chagrin of  adult family members and friends.  Occasionally they’ll lead a conversation with a news story – always horrifying or dramatic – expecting that I know to what they are referring.  When I fail to connect, they roll their eyes and say, “Oh, right – you live under a rock.”

Not exactly.  I do read headlines of news stories regularly.  If I deem it important to the enlightenment of my life, I read the story.  The news that I absorb is under my control.  I choose wisely.  I choose to take in only information that enhances my positive consciousness. 

So why is the intentional protection of my energy and emotional well-being mistaken for hiding from reality?    Do we think it is our obligation to stay informed at all costs?  Is it our duty to share the drama and chaos of the world?  No.  I contend that our true task as adults, as parents, is to focus on the biggest story of all:  our own lives. 

In a previous blog I highlighted ways to protect your tween from overexposure to harmful media.  http://bit.ly/q8khU  Parents need to protect themselves as well.  Be a good caretaker of your mind and spirit:

1. Turn off the tubes.  You do have control over the news.  It’s called ‘power off.’
2. Focus on the news in your own life.  Is there too much drama?  Not enough excitement?  What’s the weather report – long term storm clouds or rainbows?
3. Protective Parenting.  Be strong in your role as caretaker for tweens and teens.  Even when they pretend to be handling life, remember, casual bravado is a cover for real fear.

Experiment with underexposure to the world.  Ironically, it may seem unsettling at first.  ‘FMS syndrome’ we call it in my house – ‘Fear of Missing Something.’  The cure: spend time engaging in a low-drama activity you enjoy with people you love.  As you review your ‘news-free’ day, ask yourself, “Did I really miss anything?”