This week has been a challenging one for my family and I as we found out some unexpected news.

Without going into detail, all I can say is that it has taken an emotional toll.

As a parent of two children ages 3 and 7, I have battled how I should talk to my children about it, as they are both directly affected by what has happened.

I have always wanted what is best for my children, but this week, I knew in advance that talking to them about it would be heartbreaking at the same time. You can attend all the parenting classes in the world to learn how to talk with your children about difficult topics, but when it comes down to being put into an actual situation, nothing can prepare you for the emotions that come with it.

That was the hardest part.

For several days, I agonized about how I was going to approach it — particularly with my daughter, who would be better able to understand this news because of her age.

On Sunday, it came time to talk about it, and though there were tears, I was amazed to see her strength and her perspective as a child.

When I was supposed to be comforting her, she was comforting me.

How was this possible that she was telling me everything would be OK while I was falling apart?

Though it is too soon to see how this news will affect her in the long-term, for now she is taking it as was expected and possibly even better than I expected. It is my hope she has learned a life lesson.

As a child, her faith in the good outweighed her thoughts of negativity and things on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Apparently, as an adult, I can learn a lot from her response on how to cope with trials. Though I am still young, I ­— like everyone around me — have had my share of trials, whether it be deaths in the family, a loss of a job, dealing with the unintended actions of a loved one or some other struggle.

It’s part of life. How we choose to respond to those struggles in our own lives will determine our outcome.

Until next time, I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas.

 

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.