We were once again reminded last Friday of just how much evil exists in the world, and it feels like the worst of humanity is getting closer to us. Innocent lives were taken by savages in one of the most wonderful cities in the world, in a country where so many Americans spilled their blood to protect the way of life we all share.

Related: ISIS Targets Joie de Vivre

Paris could have been Washington, D.C., or New York City. We all know it may be us next time.

[lz_org_series]

As our children grow up and spend more time out of our care, how do we deal with realities such as this — that our world is not as safe as we had hoped?

Today’s children are also growing up in a world with school shooters, increasing gang violence, texting and driving, and cyberstalking. This is the United States, and parents have to face these fears each day, in addition to the usual worries of keeping children from chasing a ball into the street or running with scissors.

Related: How to Talk About School Shootings

Every single day, I stop my kids on their way out the front door before school, kiss them, and tell them how much I love them. Every day, I watch them get in the car with their dad and pray they come home safely. Like I said, I am an anxious mother.

I know, of course, that there has never been a time or place where parents didn’t have to worry about their kids’ safety. And I am well aware that mothers around the world are doing their best to raise children in situations much more dire and dangerous than ours. My heart hurts for those mothers every day. But I can’t help feeling that the “dark ugly” is creeping closer and closer, and I’m not sure what to do about it.

InfoBox_Voices
Last week, a violent murder occurred on the playground of our neighborhood park — one block from my house, in a place where my kids and all of our neighbors’ children gather to swing, climb, ride bikes, and kick a soccer ball. This is a neighborhood where kids play in the street, where neighbors know each other and stop to chat while walking our dogs. It’s a charming community with old oak trees and 80-year-old homes.

We are so lucky to live here. Yet horrible things can happen, even here.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Related: Lessons from Paris, from My Kids

When talking about my fears with my husband, he reminded me there are so many good people in the world who are working hard to keep us safe. He is one of them, fighting the good fight. And he is right. Rather than let the anxiety and terror creep in and paralyze me, I try hard to focus on the good happening all around us. Because it is there.

For every terrible news headline, there are countless acts of kindness, bravery, and good will happening in every community. As parents, it is our job to instill this goodness in the next generation, to guide them to be kind and brave and to help others. Not to live in fear of the dark, but to light the way ahead.