Young people just having a great time

[Amnotamug]

My son is at Leeds University and has just had brilliant exam results..he is in his third year .
Tonight he has sent me videos of his celebrations with his friends…fair to say I have absolutely no expectations of a sensible phone call tomorrow.
Am happy for him but feel so bloody sad for the people in Ukraine that they are hiding,their children are scared and fuck knows what will happen next for these poor people.
My sons celebrations have really highlighted how shitty it is for others …am feeling guilty and helpless.

1. It is OK for your son to celebrate his hard work and achievement (done despite pandemic disruption!) even though bad things are happening to other people his age elsewhere in the world.
2. There have been wars and atrocities in non-European countries frequently as he has been growing up.
3. Is there something constructive that you could do for the people of Ukraine to channel your sadness into something positive that way?

You can donate to the Red Cross appeal, perhaps encouraging your DS to do the same, or ask him if there is anything he could do such as volunteering at a local centre which is collecting clothes for those who have had to flee.

The two things are unrelated. Don’t mention it to him and definitely don’t try to imply he has to atone for it in some way by volunteering or donating or whatever. He’s worked hard and been rewarded accordingly. The guilt is your thing.

Please don't make your son feel guilty for the joy in his life. This world is full of misery, so we should all grab at gladness and lightness where we find it and love those moments. No sense in being dragged to the bottom with every horrible thing we see.