Parenting through the unsettled times of the UK riots

With all the terrible footage that has ensued from the UK over the last 72 hours of rioting (although it is beyond the true sense of 'rioting') and looting I feel compelled to write.

As a UK mom I have totally despaired at the scenes that night after night I have been fearfully watching unfold. I have felt nothing but anger, sadness and helplessness of the mindless damage and loss these thugs have bought to our communities, businesses and individuals. Each evening on TV I have watched children, little older than my own, loot, steal and show acts of violence, then you experience their so-called parents defending and/or washing their hands of their children's actions. Are these adults so blinkered that they cannot see the mess and damage they are creating here? Do they not feel any responsibility for their children's up bringing? Do they not question what sort of world they are creating for their children?

Fortunately, I do not know anyone who would condone or be involved with such mindless violence. Nor do my friends. We are all just as angered and disgusted.

We need to remind ourselves these 'thugs' are a small minority. We need to try to get back to normality and remember that we are surrounded by good, honest, loving people. We must celebrate our children who do know right from wrong and who do respect what we, as adults, say. And we must stay strong, pull together and continue our hard efforts of giving our children the best possible start in life.

We have already seen some good that has come about -communities standing up to help out small businesses and shop owners. Coming together to clean up the mess created by these thugs. Groups of people standing together saying ' no, enough is enough" and helping to protect businesses from being attacked. It may take time, these problems weren't created ove
ight but the good will prevail.

Victoria Ballardr
Founder and President
The Victoria Chart Company LLC