Politics Round-up: Paris and Syria

It has been a month of sadness and confusion. The events in Paris moved many of you to write, and then the decision for Britain to join those bombing Syria in response had you writing in equal quantities.

Starting with Paris, something a lot of us wondered was how much to tell our children. Mine range hugely in age, from a nineteen year old who watched the event unfold for herself, to a four year old who I don’t think is aware of it happening at all. Twinderelmo wonders if she is protecting or lying to her son, but knows she doesn’t want to talk to him about terrorism. Mummyshire wonders if she is doing the right thing by shielding her daughter. 

And then we had the debate in Parliament last week, which saw them vote to start bombing in Syria. Not My Year Off provides an eloquent response as an ordinary, Muslim mum. LLM Calling believes that the death of innocents should not result in the death of yet more innocents. Morgan’s Milieu wonders if in light of David Cameron’s comments, being against action in Syria makes her a terrorist sympathiser. Being Tilly’s Mummy believes that the bombing of Syria puts us in more danger of attack. And Someplace Strange gives us some of the reasons that the action in Syria is not in her name.

I will leave you with my own post, partly because it is my round-up, so I can, and partly because this is my Christmas round-up, and I want to leave it on a positive note – my response to the attacks in Paris is that the world needs more love. I don’t have the answers. I only know that in my heart I don’t feel that hate or war or violence are the answers. I don’t know how you stop these attacks. I cannot control the behaviour of others, only of myself. And I will not hate. I will love. Spread the love this Christmas season – smile at others, share some gifts, a meal, lend a helping hand. And have a very happy time. That is how we win, by living lives filled with love, joy, and happiness.