DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,654 Likes: 5,606 
|
Post by DGM on Sept 7, 2020 23:58:34 GMT -6
How do/have you all talked to your kids about 9/11? L learned the Pledge of Allegiance this school year so it seems off to not discuss it. We weren't personally affected but my T&P to those of you who are...
|
|
stringy
Opal
Posts: 8,306 Likes: 22,157
|
Post by stringy on Sept 8, 2020 5:29:32 GMT -6
I have not. Maybe its my own emotional reaction to it as a piece of history we lived through - but it feels too scary to explain to her. I would start with that its a day we remember a lot of people who died in NY and I'd probably just say during a war. To her 2001 is probably the same as 1901...but still.
I haven't ever mentioned plane crashes in general - again likely because they are something I'm terrified of - and I would just like to shield her from that reality.
That said, she's going into 2nd grade so who knows what will come up now.
|
|
nikkipal
Sapphire
Posts: 2,751 Likes: 8,044
|
Post by nikkipal on Sept 8, 2020 6:07:47 GMT -6
I haven’t talked to M about it.
|
|
|
|
Post by charlotte on Sept 8, 2020 6:11:15 GMT -6
I agree you could start out by vaguely touching on what happened (“people died”) and as your kid gets older evolve that conversation until you eventually teach the intentions behind what happened.
My anxious kiddo would be never stop thinking and worrying about it if I were to explain it to him now, so we will wait.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dramaphile on Sept 8, 2020 7:50:26 GMT -6
I have not. Maybe its my own emotional reaction to it as a piece of history we lived through - but it feels too scary to explain to her. I'm here as well. It was such a defining and scary moment in my life (and my senior year of high school) and I don't know how to explain it. Maybe I'll try to find a good book when the time is right? |
|
tj
Moderator 
Posts: 9,912 Likes: 24,842
|
Post by tj on Sept 8, 2020 8:09:16 GMT -6
I agree you could start out by vaguely touching on what happened (“people died”) and as your kid gets older evolve that conversation until you eventually teach the intentions behind what happened. My anxious kiddo would be never stop thinking and worrying about it if I were to explain it to him now, so we will wait. We simplified it to talk about how some people in a different country made some very bad choices that hurt and killed a LOT of Americans. And so we remember them and the first responders on that day. The kids have learned a lot about first responders so they like that part. We also take it as an opportunity to remind them how important it is to be kind, loving, and respectful and make good choices. And we follow up with talking about how everyone has made big changes to keep everyone safer, so that’s why we go through security before we travel or go to a crowded event (crowded event? What’s that?) For us, it’s key to remind them that these changes keep us safe. And we are safe. (I mean, theoretically.) We don’t talk about the planes or the building falling or any details bc I don’t want them to be scared of planes or tall buildings. I feel like my kids are on the older end of the spectrum here at 6 and 8. |
|
DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,654 Likes: 5,606
|
Post by DGM on Sept 8, 2020 8:52:14 GMT -6
Thanks everyone. ETA tj, L will be 6 next weekend (cue the bittersweet feels). |
|
DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,654 Likes: 5,606
|
Post by DGM on Sept 8, 2020 9:01:44 GMT -6
stringy, as far as you know, it wasn't talked about at school by her teachers? L isn't in public school so part of my thinking to tell her was if a neighbor kid talks about it, she's not in the dark.
|
|
stringy
Opal
Posts: 8,306 Likes: 22,157
|
Post by stringy on Sept 8, 2020 9:29:36 GMT -6
stringy , as far as you know, it wasn't talked about at school by her teachers? L isn't in public school so part of my thinking to tell her was if a neighbor kid talks about it, she's not in the dark. No, def not. Well, I guess not definitely, but she's never asked and she loves history and stuff so I feel like she would have. She also was in a K-6 school those two years, and rode the bus, and nothing. So I think skip it unless you know its a big thing with your neighbor or something that they make a point to commemorate?
I'm curious as to why L learning the pledge leads you to talking about 911 though?
|
|
DGM
Sapphire
Posts: 2,654 Likes: 5,606
|
Post by DGM on Sept 8, 2020 12:21:01 GMT -6
stringy, I can just imagine L asking about why flags are at half mast on 9/11 since she now points them out because of the Pledge. I guess we'll see how things play out on Friday. Thanks! ETA MH likes your train of thought about this.
|
|
stringy
Opal
Posts: 8,306 Likes: 22,157
|
Post by stringy on Sept 8, 2020 12:44:26 GMT -6
stringy , I can just imagine L asking about why flags are at half mast on 9/11 since she now points them out because of the Pledge. I guess we'll see how things play out on Friday. Thanks! ETA MH likes your train of thought about this. I have strangely flag obsessed kids. (At 3 P would sing the entire rendition of You're a Grand Ole Flag every time we went by one, for an entire road trip - I dont even know where she learned it).
But they've never noticed or pointed out one at half mast.
You could also just say they are at half mast to remember people who died. Don't have to explain who or when or how. I'd imagine if mine asked on a random day I wouldn't actually know who it was for, so wouldn't be able to answer anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by ovenrack on Sept 10, 2020 17:46:10 GMT -6
|
|
