First Lady Writes Open Letter to Parents About Shooting

Parents wrestling with kids' questions about the Tucson shooting would do well to tell them about Christina Taylor Green, writes Michelle Obama in an open letter on the White House blog. Christina was only 9 but already learning about public service and "how to give back." She and the other victims provide a lesson in "doing our part, however we can, to serve our communities." Other highlights from the letter:

• "We can teach our children that here in America, we embrace each other, and support each other, in times of crisis. And we can help them do that in their own small way—whether it’s by sending a letter, or saying a prayer, or just keeping the victims and their families in their thoughts."

• "We can teach them the value of tolerance—the practice of assuming the best, rather than the worst, about those around us. We can teach them to give others the benefit of the doubt, particularly those with whom they disagree.
• "We can also teach our children about the tremendous sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country and by their families. We can explain to them that although we might not always agree with those who represent us, anyone who enters public life does so because they love their country and want to serve it."

Read the full letter here.
(More First Lady Michelle Obama stories.)