As a new parent and a children’s librarian, I’m often wondering what are some ways we can support vulnerable families (and people). It feels like cognitive dissonance to read the news and then be in my happy Children’s Room, or home with my baby (obviously, I know this is important, too).
![Tenderness - [a color comic]. [image of a raven] I found an injured raven on a walk last week. I dithered: should I try to help? Will that hurt it more? Or hurt Henry somehow? [image of woman leaning down over crow]. With my mom's help I put it in a box....[image of woman putting box on a counter] and brought it to a wildlife rehab. [image of a baby] It made me think about taking care of Henry. [image of small feet]. How it feels to care for someone vulnerable and look at the world through their eyes. There's so much potential for empathy. [image of flying crow] And for reasons to make a better world. One that has space for tenderness and empathy.](https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/t3-tenderness-sm-506x650.jpg)
Lisa Nowlain is a librarian in rural California.
Andrea Vaughn Johnson
Yes, I’m struggling with exactly this in recent weeks. Becoming a parent can make us highly sensitive to the suffering of other parents and children. I’m inspired by what Niles PL here in Illinois is offering, Growing Neighbors, a program inspired by Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood: https://storytiming.com/category/mister-rogers-neighborhood/
jac
Great post, and one that made me reflect on the importance of growing and nurturing empathy in our future generations.