upset by news stories about kids

[matermum]

Ever since having my baby at the start of this year I have felt very sensitive about news stories involving children. I find that I often dwell on them and feel very upset by them. I know from discussions with friends that these feelings are common but I wondered how other people deal with them and how you manage to put them out of your head so that you can enjoy life? Do I need to just stop reading the newspaper and listening to the news?

i understand completely how you feel and also cannot put to one side whatever horrific story (and there are so many tragic tragic endings) and just get on with it. Empathy is what makes you human and your inability to process and dispose of the emotions is a very good thing.
I cope by knowing that I am keeping safe those that i can and hope others feel the same.
i would watch what paper you read matermum as some are shameless in their sensationalism.
you have your new baby and you are sensitive person - all good.
deep breath and enjoy motherhood

Thank-you chasing rainbows. That's a really helpful post - much appreciated.

TBH I stopped watching the news until I felt stronger to cope. Congratulations on your DC

I agree that you have to be careful what you read. I no longer pick up the Metro to read on the train, it's dismal, and just full of stories about murder.
Now my children can read, I try to keep it away from them too. You'd think nothing else ever happened in Britain.
It does get better.

When I see these horribly sad stories I still shudder momentarily and turn the page quickly, that won't leave you ever, but it no longer gets right under my skin like it did when my first child was in her first year....

before I had children I used to read the news stories below the headline, I can't believe how tough I must have been then. NOw I see the headline and just quickly avert my eyes before I can read any more.

Yes agree with all - I find I have to avoid as much as possible otherwise I dwell on them too.

Goodness knows why my brain wants to think about it and probe and imagine how I would feel etc etc ad nauseam.

Maybe it's an instinctive reaction to make sure you're being protective enough of your new offspring. I reckon it's why women in particular seem to get more and more right wing and sometimes join the 'hanging's too good for them' brigade as they get older.

In summary, yes, stop reading/listening to those kinds of stories for a few more months!

I also agree with all, for me the feeling started when I was pregnant with first dc and come back periodicaly with all three of my dc. I don't read the paper anymore at all, but I watch the news BBC or Five and turn over or off if one of these stories comes on, I don't want to know details or else I dwell and start worrying about my children. I have no other answer or solution, all I can say is you are in good company!

I think its also a sobering thought to remember that the majority of children are happy and safe and well cared for.