Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About 9/11

It’s the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Here’s a guide on how to talk to your kids about it today . . .

1. Gently bring up the topic even if they don’t. Since today is a significant anniversary, they have likely already seen images from that day at school, on TV, or online. They might have questions that they’re not sure how to ask.

2. Gauge how much they already know. Your first question could be, “What do you know about 9/11?” They may have learned stuff in school, or could even have misinformation they got from somewhere else. So address that first.

3. Be mindful of their age. You should consider your child’s age, maturity, and emotional capacity when deciding how to discuss 9/11. If they’re young, keep it simple and don’t get too detailed. Teens can handle more and might have specific questions, like what it was like living through it.

4. Encourage them to talk to other people who remember. Especially if you don’t remember much. Parents in their 30s were still kids themselves back then. Even just telling them where you were or how it felt can be valuable. But feel free to lean on an aunt, uncle, or grandparent too.

5. Read and watch stories from survivors, or people who lost loved ones. That’s more for older kids. But understanding the emotions of 9/11 can be just as important as knowing the facts. Sometimes it’s hard for kids to understand how big of an event it was, and how many lives it touched.

6. It’s okay to shield your kids, too. This topic is not one-size-fits-all. It’s okay to keep your children safe from graphic images and complex issues that they’re not yet ready to understand. Ultimately, you know your child best.

(University of Missouri / Seattle’s Child)
Photo by Evan THOMAS on Unsplash