[VIDEO] Talking Through Tears With My Son: Pandemic, Puberty, Policing & Protests

It took me weeks to figure out what to say about the policing crisis in our country and the public protests. While these events were evolving by the moment, especially here in Atlanta, we also had the responsibility of knowing that as African-Americans, we were at even higher risk for Covid-19.

Although we’re limiting our exposure by working from home, getting groceries from pickup service, skipping summer camps, you just never know. The state of Georgia is loosening restrictions about public gatherings, even though cases and deaths haven’t significantly decreased. Add to this our loving 10-year-old starting going through puberty. Pandemic, puberty, policing, and protests are sending me over the emotional edge.

 

I wanted to cry in the morning when I woke up and remembered there’s still a pandemic.

I wanted to cry in the middle of the day when I felt guilty for how much time A.J. spent on his devices.

I wanted to cry at the end of the day because there were protests and fires around the Atlanta attractions we know and love. My soul was just tired!

I REALLY wanted to cry because our son is becoming a young man and he’ll no longer be considered cute. He’ll be considered a criminal for no other reason than his skin color.

One day last month, I shared on the Mommy Talk Show Facebook page that I was holding back all my emotions.

 

Here’s what happened when I told A.J. how I was doing my best NOT to cry in front of him. I can’t believe I got through it without having an emotional meltdown.

WATCH: Talking Through Tears


I realized that we talk about race in our household more than some of my friends who are White, or have daughters or have children of other races.

We are raising a 10-year-old who growing bigger by the day and testing his independence. One day he’ll be old enough to leave the house without us, drive his own car, or even take a road trip with his friends.

I don’t know if my heart will ever be ready for that moment our baby bird leaves the nest on his own.

Talk back to me below: How are you explaining the racial crisis to your children? What questions are they asking about protests and police shootings?

About Joyce Brewer

Creator & Host of Mommy Talk Show. Emmy award-winning TV journalist.Wife & Mommy; Mom Blogger; Social Media Coach; Long Island, New York transplant living in Atlanta, GA. Follow Joyce on Twitter @MommyTalkShow Author of Use What You Know: A Business Idea Guide for Moms featuring interviews with mompreneurs who created businesses using their skills & backgrounds.

Check Also

[VIDEO] These Simple Kroger Fuel Point Hacks Will Save You Big Time

Even before the fuel prices started surging in the Spring & Summer of 2022, I’ve …

2 comments

  1. I am so glad you were able to share your emotions with him. What a sweetheart for wanting to take care of you by getting you water. Our boys are the same age and I often think of how we have to parent differently and how your fears for your son are the same fears I have for my son but you have additional sets of fears that don’t cross my mind for my red-headed little boy.

  2. Thank you for sharing this. As A black mum as well, my heart skips A beat almost everyday when i read/see what is happening around. It was tough talking to my daughter about it….she just couldn’t understand why such things were happening.