Depressed

[Auburnwine]

Georgie, I really empathize with you (you other guys be quiet a minute).

My beautiful and perfect ten year old has been conscious and aware since Oklahoma City. My strategy is to focus with him on all that is good and glorious in the world -- and to appreciate it and celebrate it with him all the more.

In my own life, I do not chew much on world events over which I clearly have no control. And when bad things happen, like kids getting trips cancelled, my own suggestion is to work with the powers that be to quickly develop a Plan B -- which may not be as exciting as a trip to Jersey City, but will really allow the kids to have fun and do cool stuff.

Recruit some parents, grandparents, and college types (check with your county 4-H office) to put on your own celebration of science right there in the school cafeteria: make and decorate airplanes, shoot off rockets in the school yard, bring in some snakes and pet rabbits. You have some great resources right in your own community, I am sure.

If you and your colleagues dwell on fear and disappointment, the kids will focus only on that. Make some "lemonade" with all that money the school saved by not having to travel to Jersey City!