As the mom of a seven year old I have discussed the events of 9/11 with her for the last couple of years and don’t really find what your mom shared to be out of line or age inappropriate. Not really sure of a less “blunt” way of explaining the events? ( I’m assuming she didn’t go into the more gruesome details of people jumping from the towers etc). Yeah- I can see wanting to be the first one to discuss it with her, but especially with this being the 20th anniversary you had to assume she’d be exposed to it elsewhere. I know my daughter’s class discussed it in school for example.

You might also consider that while still raw for many of us, to kids of her age 9/11 is a historical event….more akin us learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor in school, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's 6. It's time to introduce the topic.

And remember, it traumatized you far more because you were alive. Your child will have as much connection to it as you do to WW2.

OP here, very true and good point.

For those saying she will learn about it in school ... of course ... but not in kindergarten, right? Or even 1st grade? I was thinking that was more a 3rd grade thing. She and I did have a good conversation about it after she asked me to change the channel, so I'm not upset that she knows, I just thought maybe we had another year or so. Also, she's just a bit of an anxious kid and the pandemic has been plenty for her without talking about global terrorism.

My kid learned about it kindergarten this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You knowingly sent your child to a house where you KNOW “they have the news on, like 24/7,” PER YOUR OWN WORDS.

So let’s review, moron. That’s like sending a kid to Disneyland and then being upset that they were “exposed” to Mickey Mouse.

OP here. WOW. Just FYI, I've asked them to not have the news on when my daughter is there. Apparently they didn't listen.

Their house, their lives, their rules, their preferences. You are brining your child to their preferred environment, and not the other way around. Want to control what your kid is exposed to? Watch your kid.

By your own original post, you say that you know your parents have the news on 24/7 in your house. And you sent your kid to their house.

So…the irresponsible adult in this situation is *you.* If you knew the news would be on at your parents house—as you say yourself, it always is—then you sent your kid unprepared.

My kid is a little older, but I knew they might talk about 9/11 in school, so I told her about it a few days before. She was scared and upset, but we had a good talk, and she processed and was prepared.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's 6. It's time to introduce the topic.

And remember, it traumatized you far more because you were alive. Your child will have as much connection to it as you do to WW2.

OP here, very true and good point.

For those saying she will learn about it in school ... of course ... but not in kindergarten, right? Or even 1st grade? I was thinking that was more a 3rd grade thing. She and I did have a good conversation about it after she asked me to change the channel, so I'm not upset that she knows, I just thought maybe we had another year or so. Also, she's just a bit of an anxious kid and the pandemic has been plenty for her without talking about global terrorism.

Come on OP. Your daughter has active shooter drills at school. That’s a lot more scary than hearing about something bad that happened in ancient history—and for a 6 year old 9/11 IS ancient history. It was a long time ago. Your kid is not as fragile as you think.

Ahem, those are tornado drills. You just need to get in the coat closet and be very quiet so the tornado can’t find you.

Exactly. My DD thinks they are tornado drills. She has no concept that they are for an active shooter. Schools do shelter younger kids from that (as they should).

Umm, what school is telling them they are tornado drills. Our FCPS has never done that, ever. And I had a kid in kinder when they started, and another one after that.

also, OP, your child might not learn it in school from a teacher, but you will see that she and her friends will discuss all sorts of things (wait until FLE LOL) You can opt out of FLE, but you can't opt out of lunch table convos about it, which I don't think people understand. I'd rather my kids learn that stuff from me, and 2ndly their teacher, not from Johnny or Larla

Our private refers to them as tornado drills, and they’ve had them since preschool. I’m fine with the teachers not telling my 4 year old that they’re practicing to not be shot to death.

Anonymous wrote:You knowingly sent your child to a house where you KNOW “they have the news on, like 24/7,” PER YOUR OWN WORDS.

So let’s review, moron. That’s like sending a kid to Disneyland and then being upset that they were “exposed” to Mickey Mouse.

OP here. WOW. Just FYI, I've asked them to not have the news on when my daughter is there. Apparently they didn't listen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're way overreacting.

+1

Overreacting would be getting angry with my mom and calling her out. I said I was "kind of annoyed" and looking to get others thoughts on it.

Exactly. My DD thinks they are tornado drills. She has no concept that they are for an active shooter. Schools do shelter younger kids from that (as they should).


Umm, what school is telling them they are tornado drills. Our FCPS has never done that, ever. And I had a kid in kinder when they started, and another one after that.

Our school district does NOT do that either.

You knowingly sent your child to a house where you KNOW “they have the news on, like 24/7,” PER YOUR OWN WORDS.

So let’s review, moron. That’s like sending a kid to Disneyland and then being upset that they were “exposed” to Mickey Mouse.

Anonymous wrote:You're way overreacting.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's 6. It's time to introduce the topic.

And remember, it traumatized you far more because you were alive. Your child will have as much connection to it as you do to WW2.

OP here, very true and good point.

For those saying she will learn about it in school ... of course ... but not in kindergarten, right? Or even 1st grade? I was thinking that was more a 3rd grade thing. She and I did have a good conversation about it after she asked me to change the channel, so I'm not upset that she knows, I just thought maybe we had another year or so. Also, she's just a bit of an anxious kid and the pandemic has been plenty for her without talking about global terrorism.

Come on OP. Your daughter has active shooter drills at school. That’s a lot more scary than hearing about something bad that happened in ancient history—and for a 6 year old 9/11 IS ancient history. It was a long time ago. Your kid is not as fragile as you think.

Ahem, those are tornado drills. You just need to get in the coat closet and be very quiet so the tornado can’t find you.

Exactly. My DD thinks they are tornado drills. She has no concept that they are for an active shooter. Schools do shelter younger kids from that (as they should).

Umm, what school is telling them they are tornado drills. Our FCPS has never done that, ever. And I had a kid in kinder when they started, and another one after that.

also, OP, your child might not learn it in school from a teacher, but you will see that she and her friends will discuss all sorts of things (wait until FLE LOL) You can opt out of FLE, but you can't opt out of lunch table convos about it, which I don't think people understand. I'd rather my kids learn that stuff from me, and 2ndly their teacher, not from Johnny or Larla

These replies are insane. Kids do not need to know this stuff. I would let it go with your mom- not a big deal in the grand scheme. But do not go out of your way to teach your kids about the horrors of the world or age inappropriate things! Do you guys show them porn and smoke around them bc they are going to get exposed to it anyway when they are older?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's 6. It's time to introduce the topic.

And remember, it traumatized you far more because you were alive. Your child will have as much connection to it as you do to WW2.

OP here, very true and good point.

For those saying she will learn about it in school ... of course ... but not in kindergarten, right? Or even 1st grade? I was thinking that was more a 3rd grade thing. She and I did have a good conversation about it after she asked me to change the channel, so I'm not upset that she knows, I just thought maybe we had another year or so. Also, she's just a bit of an anxious kid and the pandemic has been plenty for her without talking about global terrorism.

Come on OP. Your daughter has active shooter drills at school. That’s a lot more scary than hearing about something bad that happened in ancient history—and for a 6 year old 9/11 IS ancient history. It was a long time ago. Your kid is not as fragile as you think.

Ahem, those are tornado drills. You just need to get in the coat closet and be very quiet so the tornado can’t find you.

Exactly. My DD thinks they are tornado drills. She has no concept that they are for an active shooter. Schools do shelter younger kids from that (as they should).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's 6. It's time to introduce the topic.

And remember, it traumatized you far more because you were alive. Your child will have as much connection to it as you do to WW2.

OP here, very true and good point.

For those saying she will learn about it in school ... of course ... but not in kindergarten, right? Or even 1st grade? I was thinking that was more a 3rd grade thing. She and I did have a good conversation about it after she asked me to change the channel, so I'm not upset that she knows, I just thought maybe we had another year or so. Also, she's just a bit of an anxious kid and the pandemic has been plenty for her without talking about global terrorism.

Come on OP. Your daughter has active shooter drills at school. That’s a lot more scary than hearing about something bad that happened in ancient history—and for a 6 year old 9/11 IS ancient history. It was a long time ago. Your kid is not as fragile as you think.

Ahem, those are tornado drills. You just need to get in the coat closet and be very quiet so the tornado can’t find you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's 6. It's time to introduce the topic.

And remember, it traumatized you far more because you were alive. Your child will have as much connection to it as you do to WW2.

OP here, very true and good point.

For those saying she will learn about it in school ... of course ... but not in kindergarten, right? Or even 1st grade? I was thinking that was more a 3rd grade thing. She and I did have a good conversation about it after she asked me to change the channel, so I'm not upset that she knows, I just thought maybe we had another year or so. Also, she's just a bit of an anxious kid and the pandemic has been plenty for her without talking about global terrorism.

She is 6 and doesn't know anything about global terrorism? Wow. I think you are really behind the ball on this. I have a very anxious kid too, but enough is enough. Keep in mind she WILL learn about all the topics posters have mentioned at school from other kids, because many of her classmates are going to have older siblings and this stuff filters down. If you want to control how she learns about these things, get on it quick.