Friday, September 11, 2009

More than written words in a textbook...

I was sitting at the table tonight with my daughter. She had what she called a "terrible" day (well actually she used a word I didn't like and I had to spend ten minutes getting on to her before our chat, but that is another story for another post.). Anyhow, she was chattering away about her day, going through her schedule, when something she said grabbed my attention...



"In Social Studies Mrs. P. talked about 9/11, but didn't show us any video because she said it was too graphic..."



What?


I'm a mother who cares about what her kids watch, not to say I don't catch them sneaking in the cartoon network channel every once in a while. But I am a stickler for ratings and what I consider "appropriate" for their age. Call me old fashion. Call me a "mean" mom. Call me boring, but my kids know I have to check a movie out before they watch it... sorry "G.I. Joe" and 'Transformers," this mean mom didn't think you made the cut this year.


And before I go any further, I am not here to judge your parenting if your kids did see those particular flicks...not where I am headed with this at all. (Although I would like to ask the movie people why they don't think they could make even more money on a movie if they make it where it is enjoyable for adults and appropriate for kids at the same time?!!!)


Anyway, my point is this... Many of my kids friends and classmates went and saw the actioned packed movies. I know loads of teenagers that filled the theater to scream at the latest horror flick. I know children who sit in their rooms every night and "play" killing on video games. I know three year old babies who have witnessed more blood and gore on the big screen than my daughter has in thirteen years... so why would video of 9/11 be considered too graphic? Are we telling our kids that violence is alright as long as it is fantasy? That we can watch what ever we want as long as it isn't reality?

I don't know how you feel, but this is my opinion...


This generation is accused of being spoiled, of not knowing hardship, of taking freedom totally for granted. I believe in sheltering them from some things, but not at the risk of them not appreciating what they have been given and for those who risked everything to give that to them. 9/11 was a part of history. It was tragic. It was violent. It was earth shattering. It was life changing.


Yet, I don't want it to become just written words in a textbook for my daughter, who was only almost five and doesn't remember anything about that day, to read. I had studied about the World Wars in my history books, but until I watched "Saving Private Ryan" as an adult, I never really visualized or respected what my own grandpas went through in war.

Too graphic...


This mom doesn't think so... for once I think my children should know and "visually" understand what happened eight years ago. It needs to be remembered as more than just another story on a page. Sometimes we need to be a little scared, and left speechless. Sometimes tears are needed. We need to know where we come from as a country, in order to make the right decisions in the future.

Last time I checked, my kids were the future...


Prayers go to all the families who lost precious loved ones that day. Time heals, but I know hearts are still breaking even today.
Thanks goes to everyone who risks their lives everyday, for freedoms we often take for granted.
Most of all, thank you, Lord, for being a tower of great strength and our refuge in times of trouble. Amen.

11 comments:

Kristin said...

Great post, Mich! I agree with you completely. I didn't think to ask if my girls' teachers said anything today.

He & Me + 3 said...

I agree. I want my children to know. I want them to feel the emotions. I feel like that is the only way they will fully understand what happened on that tragic day...8 years ago .

christy rose said...

I completely agree with you on this issue for sure Mich!

Elle Bee said...

Mich, we are on the same page. It sounds like you have the same parenting ideas that I have. It's hard in this world to stand up and be a conservative parent. I too may be considered old fashioned mean and strict but I don't care. 9/11 is our generations pearl harbor and I am not willing to let it become a blur of history my kids don't fully understand.
Great post.
Elle

Mocha Momma said...

Well stated, my friend. I agree and I am proud that you have protected your kids from a lot of garbage.

The reality of war and tragic events like 9-11 is a necessary reminder.

It's hard for me to watch The Passion of the Christ because it is so realistic and horrific, but Jesus experienced that for us.

Great post, Mich.

E @ Scottsville said...

My Sunday School Teacher sent out the videos of that day.... of people falling from buildings... of horrible sights. He told all of us to watch it NEVER FORGET! And I agree. That was reality. That was what countless men and women have given their lives in search of... FREEDOM!

Lest we forget!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

I totally agree with you!

Deborah Ann said...

Kudos to you Mich! I remember seeing a video about the holocaust when I was in grade school, and now as an adult I realize the importance of teaching our kids about the world we live in, alongside the truth about our Lord and Savior who grieves at times such as these. War is ugly, but it is also truth, and as such, should not be hidden away.

Gretchen said...

It's funny--we felt the same way, and watched the real time footage on the history channel with the fam this year. Until our daughter (11) told us to turn it off--that she couldn't watch it. She was getting very distraught, so we honored her request. We told her that one day we thought she should watch it, but for now...for now we knew she understood the main idea, and for now...could be a kid.

momstheword said...

Wow, I am surprised. I had no idea that it would be considered to graphic, considering what's out there. But like you said, this is real.

My son was nearly 13 when it happened and he watched quite a bit of the news that day, as did I.

~*Michelle*~ said...

Amen Mich!

We spent some time Friday morning talking about 9/11 with homeschooling too. One of the reasons that factored into us deciding to have another child was based that tragic day....(hard to explain, but I plan on posting that story soon enough. Her name was originally supposed to be Liberty, she was born the following year, Sept 12)...anyway....

I explained in the best way she could understand what happened that day and yes, I did show her some video clips of the Twin Towers attack. I had both children watch that video I posted to also remind them that God was with all those people too.

We def. have alot of the same parenting choices...this was a great post.