Growing up in a state of war is a terrible place for anyone, let alone a child. Being surrounded by death, destruction, and constant sounds of bombing and explosion is terrifying, especially for a 4-year-old child. As a parent, it is an instinct to protect your children and do whatever you can to help make them feel safe, even when surrounded by missiles.
In the city of Idlib, which is located in north-west Syria on the Turkish borders, a video of a father trying his best to comfort his child amidst the continuous bombing in their small town emerged and broke our hearts. To prevent his daughter from being scared at the sounds of the explosions, he creates a ‘laughing game’ where they laugh together every time a bomb is dropped.
This video, which was shared by a journalist on Twitter, has been circulating and it makes you want to smile and cry at the same time at its beauty and the sad reality it holds.
what a sad world,
To distract 4-year old Selva, her father Abdullah has made up a game.
Each time a bomb drops in Idlib #Syria, they laugh, so she doesn’t get scared.
— Ali Mustafa (@Ali_Mustafa) February 17, 2020
Further reading: Study Claims Carrying Babies Doesn’t Spoil them.
