I have answered several posts on the boards from parents whose young children were frightened or even traumatized by the news reports of what happened at Columbine High School. These posts remind us of the need to monitor and supervise what our children witness on television -- not just what we would call entertainment, but news as well. Young children exposed to these horrors on TV experience their own personal trauma.

The board posts underscore the violence of our society, where the massive use of force is seen as a solution to problems, whether in Columbine High School, our communities or Kosovo. Parents who want to raise compassionate, peace-loving children are starting at a disadvantage. We have to help our kids rise above what they are exposed to through television, films, video games, music, cartoons and the news.

Rather than focus blame on parents for the violence that occurred, I think it's important we support one another in the huge challenge of raising children to be aware of other people's feelings, care about them and settle conflict in cooperative and disciplined ways. Below is my list of building blocks for raising peace-loving children.