Why do I get disturbing thoughts of hurting my kids?

Try to think of it as this. You are having a reaction, worrying about those you love. As long as these are just thoughts and nothing more, I'd say you are not mentally screwed up.

But if you start to make it your life's work to protect those around you from stuff that will likely not happen, then you may have a problem. Think of jumping into a deep, unknown pool of water. Early man did not swim too much so he probably had a fear of water.

Modern day humans have similar fears with things like heights and deep water as well as tight spaces. Is that normal, yes, because your body does not want to get hurt. This trait shows up differently for each person.

Some will do anything to get a rush of adrenaline, others avoid everything at all cost. So my advice is to think of your fear or thoughts of something bad happening as just your imagination, and don't pursue it, or analyze it all that much, just leave it as a thought, and you will be fine. If this thing is bothering you, you should seek help.

It's a form of OCD. A lot of people have it, including me. This type of OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts of loved ones getting hurt or dying.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.