How are BritMums handling the riots?

Bewilderment. Fear. And most of all, anger.

As London erupts into flames and looting, mum bloggers – one of the UK’s largest blogging tribes – are demonstrating how parenthood is colouring their personal response to the biggest news in the UK.

Even as many remain relatively insulated from the mayhem, these parents feel a visceral response to the danger. They may live in a part of London where they listened to owls hooting rather than glass shattering overnight, or they may live just down the road from the looted Clapham department store. But their response is strong and immediate. It can be characterised simply:

What is happening in the country my child is growing up in?

“Kids these days” is a clichéd phrase, associated with stuffy old codgers who can’t stand rap music. But many people are deeply troubled about what “kids these days” are doing. (The fact that these may not be political rioters but gangs intent simply on creating chaos and looting a few shops while they’re at it is a whole other story.)

As Emma from Me, The Man & The Baby, writes: “I am 22 years of age, most likely the same age of many of these yobs. My thoughts are about my family’s and friends’ safety; their thoughts are about what shops they can go looting from and what building they can burn down next.”

In other words, my child will be growing up among these ‘kids these days’ and I don’t like it.

Perfectly Happy Mum writes: “This furniture shop in Croydon, established here since 1867, not only has left 15 people unemployed this morning but with burning down has also seen a whole family history go down…”

People are angry. Not just the rioters, but the families who live their lives in London.

“This is my country, my capital. This is my children I have to think about,” writes Ghostwritermummy.

“Last night, children in London slept with pillows over their ears and fear in their hearts and for what? What kind of protest is this now?”

Do you let your children watch news about the riots?

Some of our BritMums are sharing their thoughts about how much they allow their children to see during this difficult time.

“I let my (very news-curious) nine-year-old and eight-year-old watch, but not the three-year-old as he has no idea of context.” – Holly Seddon

“We’re on holiday right now, and far from the maddening crowd. But it is all over the news, and my 6-year-old wanted to know exactly where in London the fires were happening. Very scary stuff ladies. How are those of you in the area handling this?” – Susanna

“I let my two year old son watch the package on the news (about 2 mins) just because I wanted to watch it. He was excited about seeing a fire engine. I wouldn’t let him watch any more than that and he doesn’t understand it. I’ll save my viewing for when the kids are asleep.” – Helpful Mum

“Both of my children watched last night for an hour.  Both children had questions about why the people were wearing scarves round their faces, what would happen when the people were caught, why they were doing what they were doing and why there were no fire engines. I answered as honestly as I could without frightening them. I would rather they sit with us and watch it than come across it on the radio or at someone elses house.

My 7 year old gave me her views on the riots this morning. She said that … “the police should go look for the bad guys in the houses that haven’t been burnt because they wouldn’t burn their own homes” and “when the bad teenagers come home they should be grounded and made to clear up the mess.” … I think she has a point.” – Laura

BritMums have been experiencing the riots and civil unrest across the country. Some of you have been closer than you’d like to be. Many of you have been sharing your thoughts and your experiences. We’ve also seen the positives (@riotcleanup) and negatives (organising the riots) of social media more than ever before.

We’d love to know more about what you’ve been through and what you’re seeing. Add your reflections on the events of the last 5 days below (link up your post url in the space below).