As wildfires wreak havoc across Southern California, they’ve destroyed thousands of people’s lives. It’s devastating for adults and kids alike, and it’s nearly impossible for parents to explain to their children. Eileen Haniuk and her husband evacuated their home in Pasadena with their two sons, ages 5 and 10, and traveled to her parent’s home in Orange County in the hopes of remaining safe. While there, Haniuk realized that her sons’ school, Aveson School of Leaders, had burned down. She had no idea how to break the news to them.
She posted a tearful video on her TikTok, @beanie_latina, on January 8, 2025, admitting her grief and fear over telling her kids their school is gone. With more than 187,000 views, the video touched the hearts of parents and educators alike, many of whom left kind words for the heartbroken mom.
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Evacuation in her area is incredibly rare.
Haniuk told People she and her family live in an urban area outside the hills, and evacuation is “almost unheard of,” but they found themselves having to leave. Once settled at her parents’ home, she came to grips with the reality of the situation.
She told People, “We don’t know if there’s any damage or not,” adding that they’re able to monitor the house remotely via security cameras. “We’re going to try to go back today and see if we can grab some photos. We didn’t grab sentimental things because we thought we’d be back the next day.”
Much of their beloved community has turned to ashes.
She said she believes her house is safe for now, but noted their favorite places in the area, including their sons’ school, are gone. She cried in her TikTok, trying to grapple with telling her son his school was destroyed.
“I am living a literal nightmare right now,” she explained in her video. “I am trying to find a way to tell my little boy that his school burned down. The community was so amazing, and it’s just gone, and I don’t know how to tell him.”
Many people shared kind words with the heartbroken mom.
One told her not to say anything just yet. “I’m so sorry for your family. You don’t have to tell your little guy anything about his school right now while you’re so emotional. Take the time to process it yourself. Sending love,” the person suggested.
A teacher shared some sage advice, writing, “As a 40 year ECE teacher I daily take the advice & wise words of Mr. Roger’s who said when he was little & something scary was happening his mom told him to look for the helpers. Find the good.”
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Haniuk admitted the most challenging part is managing her kids' expectations.
“As a parent, the hardest part is having to be strong in situations where you just want to fall apart. I try to stay strong, but it’s okay if you need to fall apart, she told People. “And as long as we have our family, that’s what matters. So many of our friends have lost their homes. They’ve lost everything. It’s hard to offer advice in situations like this.”
The wildfires have killed several people.
According to NBC News, at least 10 have died thus far in the California wildfires, which has caused nearly 180,000 evacuations.
Sue Kohl, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, said they can rebuild. “To get this community back up and running, I think everybody has the will,” she said. “We just need to figure out the way.”
Kohl added that it will take a lot of work. “We just ask for prayers and support from everybody, really. We have to figure out a way,” she said.
