To not want the news on in front of the kids

[19Bears]

It's been playing on my mind since I was 7 (in 1984) about the threat of nuclear war. I don't mean constantly thinking about it, more that it's always been at the back of my mind, but the thought of it is horrifying, not like any other thought that might be lurking. Anyway, although my kids (14 and 10) are fully aware of what is going on in Ukraine, I'd rather they didn't see much of it on the news, or hear the speculation about the nuclear threat, to save them from having this on their minds too. So, as the 6 o clock news was about to come on last night, I switched over to House of Games. Me and the kids like it anyway, and I feel as if it's a bit of a much needed comfort at the moment. But DH came over, got the controller and went to put it back on the news. I said I'd really prefer not to watch it, especially with the kids there. With his usual sarcastic bluster, he said "Oh, it's not as if it's important or anything. Thousands of people dying. Possible nuclear war. The kids need to see things like this. But yeah let's just watch a quiz instead. Jesus."
I know I've asked this before in relation to what to allow kids to see on the news, but again, am I just being too sensitive in trying to protect them a bit?

It's always the same though. I remember when I was a kid in the early 90s, every day the news was dominated by bombings in Bosnia/the Balklands or the Gulf, or closer to home with the IRA.

I found it more disconcerting when I was young then than now because you learn to just get on with things.

I have started to just listen to the radio for news. As an adult I find the tv footage too upsetting, I don’t want to expose the dc to it. DS(13) is well aware of the situation and is fascinated - he has a lifelong love of history and aware that this is potentially more than a footnote. I am personal friends with his headteacher, who tells me that school are covering the Ukraine/Russia conflict in an age appropriate manner in form time, and ds tells me what they’ve been discussing; his school seem to be informing the children really well to allay fears and address concerns. Dh and ds have always talked about the news anyway. Dd(10) is too young and thick skinned to care.

YANBU.
They need to know about it obviously. DS9 has watched Newsround at school so is aware. I know too much about it for my mental health and I want to protect his. It needs to be in the background not all the time. So the odd mention ok but watching the news daily not ok.

I see both sides but I think given the technology these days, your children could hear this at school, read it online etc. I'd rather watch the news with them so I could gauge their reaction and be there to offer reassurance and answer questions properly. I would worry if they heard about it without you it may effect them more, or they may get misinformation from overhearing things at school etc. It's a fine balance, you want to protect your children (naturally), but shielding them entirely isn't right either. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer OP, sending an un-mumsnetty hug your way