With all the terrible footage that has ensued from the UK over the last 72 hours of rioting (although it is beyond the true sense of 'rioting') and looting I feel compelled to write.

As a UK mom I have totally despaired at the scenes that night after night I have been fearfully watching unfold. I have felt nothing but anger, sadness and helplessness of the mindless damage and loss these thugs have bought to our communities, businesses and individuals. Each evening on TV I have watched children, little older than my own, loot, steal and show acts of violence, then you experience their so-called parents defending and/or washing their hands of their children's actions. Are these adults so blinkered that they cannot see the mess and damage they are creating here? Do they not feel any responsibility for their children's up bringing? Do they not question what sort of world they are creating for their children?

Fortunately, I do not know anyone who would condone or be involved with such mindless violence. Nor do my friends. We are all just as angered and disgusted.

We need to remind ourselves these 'thugs' are a small minority. We need to try to get back to normality and remember that we are surrounded by good, honest, loving people. We must celebrate our children who do know right from wrong and who do respect what we, as adults, say. And we must stay strong, pull together and continue our hard efforts of giving our children the best possible start in life.

We have already seen some good that has come about -communities standing up to help out small businesses and shop owners. Coming together to clean up the mess created by these thugs. Groups of people standing together saying ' no, enough is enough" and helping to protect businesses from being attacked. It may take time, these problems weren't created overnight but the good will prevail.

Victoria Ballard
Founder and President
The Victoria Chart Company LLC

Author's Bio: 

Victoria Ballard founded The Victoria Chart Company™ in 2004 by Victoria Ballard. Like any parent who wants the best for their child, Victoria wanted to do all that she could for her two children, particularly, her son who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 18 months.

Victoria discovered that a reward system she developed worked fabulously well for her children. It built their self-esteem helping them to become confident and, most importantly, proud of their progress.

The system worked so well that she has dedicated her time to creating tools for parents and professionals to help children and their families realise the power of developmental progress that comes from the simple process of Encourage & Praise™.

Today, The Victoria Chart Company™ is internationally recognised and is a specialist in creating products for positive development in children. Victoria and her team continue to research and develop new products for parents, carers and professionals to help children succeed.