DCs and News

[breeminor]

I have a question regarding news. Do you listen to the news when your DCs are in the room?
My DS is 4.5 and I find myself having to turn the news off, because it is so grim. Murder, bombing, shooting etc, etc is a constant theme.
Same thing for the radio as well. On the other hand am I being unnecessarily over-protective?
Please share your experiences on this one.
And my DS is an avid listener, on the times I've left it on I get questions on what he has heard. Some of which I'd rather not have to answer!

Thanks

An enquiring mind and a platform to discuss things and your POV with your child - please don't censor him...

I have a very anxious 8 yr old, I now try not to watch the news when she is around and we listen to CDs in the car.

It gives her nightmares and things like suicide bombers make her stressed as her Daddy flys transatlantic many times a month.

My DD is 6 and can get terribly anxious.

So as not to cosset and because she is genuinely curious, we sit together and watch Newsround occasionally. I make sure that she has plenty of time to ask questions afterwards but I still dread it.

A friend of hers has been allowed to watch the news since she was about 2.5! I just think that they are too little at this stage to have the weight and worries of the world on their shoulders. But I totally get the need for openness. A difficult line to tread...