Now that the big celebration of our Independance Day is calming down. I thought I would discuss child reactions to fire works.

Over the weekend we went to several fire works display celebrations in Michigan. Most started with an afternoon of hot dogs and popcorn. As we walked around and visited carnivals and craft fairs. Everything centered around the red, white and blue theme.

Family barba-Q's and kids swimming. Clowns with balloons and just about any game you wanted to play could be found at the county fair in honor of Independance Day.

As the evening grew dim and everyone became more excited about the beautiful fire works display that would be taking place soon. You could see the kids
running around, playing and having fun with their light up necklaces and flash light toys.

When the first fire works display began. Some of the children jumped and screamed with excitement.
Other children did not know how to react. Then the loud boom would hit again. Some children began to cry. Some wanted no part of this at all. I watched to see the reactions of mom and dad to each child.

Some of the parents tried to make the kids sit still and hush their crying. Which is something that I myself did not appreciate. The child was scared and needed to understand what the loud noises were and how the fire works were shot up into the sky to light up the night and for everyone to see. They needed mom or dads compassion. Instead they got mom and dads negative attentions.

Most of the parents with small children cooed them and snuggled them into their arms. Some even went to their cars or inside to keep their little one from being afraid of the loud noises.

Those children who enjoyed the fire works and became more and more excited as the show went on, were bright eyed and filled with anticipation. You could hear the ooooh's and awhhhhh's. They would shout out the color they liked best or the shape that the fire works made. It was clear that the parents had taken time and explained what was going to occur to them earlier in the day.

Some children will never like the loud noises of fire works or guns going off and that is ok. Not everyone will like everything. Parents should respect that and allow their child the right to stay home with a sitter during 4th of July fire works.

For those families who are lucky enough to have kids who love the light show and the excitement of Independance Day. They should use it as a fun and enjoyable evening as a family outing. There is no better way to celebrate than with friends and the family you love.