Is He Safe?
“Does he snore when he sleeps?”
“How old is he?”
“How old are you?”
“What is his favorite thing to do?”
“How long did it take to write the book?”
“Can you draw, or do you just write?”
“When did you know you wanted to write books?”
“Is he safe?”
I love all the questions we receive during our author visits. The kiddos enjoy using their imagination and learning about writing.
But the last question always hits me a bit differently each time. While I understand their curiosity about Louie’s safety as a dog, this question has deeper implications. Most of the children we read to during our visits have very real concerns about safety on all levels: emotionally, psychologically, and physically, which creates a lack of trust in others. Many times, school is the safest place for students, but unfortunately, they often have to face bullying from their peers.
Studies have shown that children who develop a strong distrust of other people as a result of childhood bullying are substantially more likely to have significant mental health problems as they enter adulthood compared to those who do not develop interpersonal trust issues.
These studies connect peer bullying to interpersonal distrust and the subsequent development of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and anger.
Unleash Love is doing all we can to counter the negative mental health impacts of bullying. For the hour or two we spend with these children, we encourage them to use their imagination while providing a magical story to open their eyes and hearts to possibilities. We give them one step to take to be more kind, patient, or hopeful, and build their confidence so they feel comfortable reporting bullying incidents.
So, is Louie safe? Yes, Louie is very safe. Yet, as well-trained as he is, he is still a dog. We have a bond based on trust—he is safe with me, and I am safe with him. When I look into those children’s eyes as I read, I pray they leave our presence feeling safe and recognize they have been with someone trustworthy, even for those few magical moments of the day.
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