Hi @Awhina24, I personally have no children but I am feeling you still very much and would like to express my empathy with you. I am 39 and have decided against children, because of climate change. But there is one child of a friend of mine, he is 8 years old and we have a very special bond. We can sit in the kitchen and talk for hours and I simply love this kid so much. I feel a similar anxiety and sadness when I think of his future, but I also see that he is very mature on this topic and he is already becoming a little climate activist, which somehow gives him a sense of purpose, so much more than me when I was his age. What has helped me with climate anxiety is informing myself and becoming active and also having honest, child-friendly conversations on the topic with my 8 year old friend as well as his parents. We need to create hope within ourselves, but should also allow for the sadness and grief that comes with this situation, those are such valid feelings which should not be oppressed. There is one documentary that I can recommend, it is called "Living in the time of dying". One of the people interviewed in the documentary is an elderly Native American named Stan Rushworth. His viewpoints are beautiful and calming despite the sadness of the situation. One of his quotes are: “I don’t know where things are going, I can’t predict that, but all the elders that I know of say that we have a sacred obligation towards how we are going to be here, at this moment.” He talks about learning to slow down and being present in the moment. Also, even though I have decided to stay childfree due to climate change, I really think that your child is NOT in danger. I think it is rather the generation(s) after that and sadly especially the people in the poorer countries that will pay the highest price if we don´t manage to turn this around now. In my eyes there is no reason to believe that your child will not have a good live, he will experience a lot of happiness I am absolutely sure of that. Some people (like me and my little friend) even find purpose in moments like this, which can feel very empowering and it can create hope and a sense of community. It´s a journey, but you and your child can do it too! Best wishes...
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