Larisa, thanks for stopping by. YOu have NO idea how happy that makes me! I remember very clearly that day you were home sick from school and the Challenger disaster happened -you and I watched the TV all day together. I don’t remember why you were home, but pneumonia sounds like that might have been it. I remember you were very sick. ILY!

I have to say, I have no idea when the right time is. We shelter our kids though from ALL news–school shootings, murder, kidnapping and war is all that is on the news these days — oh and Congressmen going after young children for sex. It’s too horrifying and scary.

I want our kids to be innocent as long as possible, I think the real world will be here before too long and they can hear all of the craziness for the rest of their lives. I think right now at their ages it is most important to instill in them our beliefs and then later they will slowly learn that not everyone believes the same way and that some people actually will really hurt you for those beliefs. That is a natural part of childhood. For example, right now instead of world affairs we deal with different values on a more kid friendly scale such as we believe in sharing and being nice and so and so doesn’t. Then we can talk about how if that person isn’t nice then we don’t have to play with them. However, it is a little bigger jump and takes an older mind to go to we believe in freedom and they don’t and they would like to kill us and our family.

In fact, I actually like that the worst thing anyone can say around our kids is stupid and booty. I actually love the gasp they have with those words, because it shows me that they are still so innocent.

I very clearly remember the shuttle exploding when I was in the fifth grade. I was home sick with I believe pneumonia and I remember watching the shuttle lift off and exploding. It had a profound effect on me even at that age. To this day I can’t see a space shuttle without thinking about that teacher walking on board. But I think I was old enough to understand to a degree, however it has always stuck with me. I wonder what the effect will be on the fifth graders who witnessed 9/11.

But 9/11 is a whole other level. We were attacked. Innocent people were killed for no reason. Children just like mine lost both their parents. It is just so horrifying and inexplicable that you can’t put your head around it logically at any age.

All that said your question is still rings in my head, when is it time to tell????? Though we want to shelter I don’t want them to be completely shut off to the world and what is around them. My kids aren’t quite 3rd grade, but in three years would they know, I’m not so sure. Interesting!!! HUM????????????

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