Don't sugar coat the facts, but don't scare your kids either.
Nov 06 '01
The Bottom Line Be honest at all cost
I've always been honest and up front with my kids from the start. My parents sheltered me from harsh reality as a kid and when I grew up and got into the real world I was unprepared for what the world was really like. I had a false sense of security and it caused me to be an easy target when I first set off on my own. I won't do that to my kids.
The Day Of Terror
The morning of Sept 11th I was sleeping in. The kids were in school and all was quiet in the house. That was until my ex called and demanded I get the kids out of school because as he put it, someone had blown up the world trade center and the pentagon. What a wake up call. I tore around the house searching for the remote because I thought it was some kind of hoax.
I tried to get into CNN but the net news sites were all too busy. I had to wake our roommate to help get the remote. He thought I was hallucinating. When we did find the remote I was met with the most horrific sight in my entire life. The first world trade center building was just starting to collapse. I was shaking as I was searching for my shoes and car keys.
Being half asleep and in a state of shock, I ran out to get my kids out of school. To my surprise, there were a lot of other parents there getting their kids. Some were in really bad shape all crying and scared. When I found my daughter, she didn't want to leave school. She didn't think there was any danger to her. My son didn't seem bothered by it either.
My son s usual went to his grandparents house and seemed unphased by it all. My daughter seemed like she really didn't care at first but then as she saw the mass distruction and discovered that this kind of terrorist acts can happen anywhere in America, she began to understand that during these times we have to all be on alert, but not stop living.
Anthrax and bioterrorism
With all the anthrax going on now with the postal service, I won't let my kids handle the mail, and I let them know why. I told them that there could be traces of anthrax on letters. Although the risk is small, it does still exist.
The first thing we did was researched anthrax. After looking at the statistics, we discovered that more people die every year from the flu than from anthrax. Why? because the flu is a viral infection and can't be treated with antibiotics where anthax is bacterial and can be treated. The flu, once contracted has to run its course. With anthrax you can take an antibiotic and be cured before the illness even takes hold. Thats something that made the kids feel better about.
Yes, my kids have had hypochondriatic episodes where they think they may have been exposed but we talk about it and that calms them down.
Be alert, not terrified
The threat of terrorist attacks still exists. I'm not going to sugar coat the facts. I've told my kids to be on the alert for suspicious behavior but not to overreact. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be safe but don't be an alarmist. If you see some guy with a briefcase don't assume it's a bomb unless you see the thing opened up with wires hanging out. My kids have learned to trust my judgement and if I tell them something doesn't seem like a safe idea, they don't argue.
Keeping kids aware of current events
Watch the news with your kids. make sure that you discuss whats going on in the world so they don't carry any misconceptions. Some younger kids when they see an event being played over and over will sometimes think the event is actually happening over and over. Make sure you explain that it's just a tape of the event being played back. Let them know that even though danger does exist in the world that there are things that you can all do to stay safe. Keep reassuring your kids, but don't lie to them. lying may seem like an easy way to calm them, but later on they will never trust you when you say everythings fine even if it is. Trust me, it causes a lot of anxiety. My parents didn't want me to worry when bad things would happen so they'd always tell me nothing was wrong. then when I found it it wasn't alright my trust level went way down. To this day I drill my parents if anything seems out of place. They'll tell me everythings ok, but that makes me drill them more. Kids will never forget that. I know I didn't.
Avoid racism
Some people believe that because Bin Laden is a "so called" muslim that he is a true muslim. That is not true at all. A true muslim wouldn't kill people. True Islam is a religion of peace, and most denounce what the Taliban is doing. Teach your children that people of Arab background are not instantly evil or the enemy. Explain that one bad person doesn't make them all bad. Encourage them to show courtesy and respect to those people as they would anyone else because they are no different than us. Hating a race for one person or persons actions is wrong.
United after all
This whole turn of events was everyones worst nightmare, but at least the people in the WTC disaster didn't die in vain. Instead of our country being torn apart, Bin Ladens plan was foiled. We all pulled together and now have become stronger than ever.
God bless America!
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galileo365
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