As Mothers how do we best remember and teach our kids about 9-11?

Rating: 0 after 1 vote

I will share a great example. My dear friend, speaks to the 2nd graders in our community every year, in honor of his brother, Joseph Mascali -NYFD Rescue 5. His speech is known as the Heroes Speech. He begins by asking the children to name some of their heroes. Like you might expect, they shout out Hannah Montanah, Arod and the Jonas Brothers. After, he shares with the audience that his hero is his brother Joe and recounts the day of September 11th, 2001. He describes the courage and bravery his brother and so many others showed that day. He tells the children that because of it so many were able to get out of the buildings and go home. He then asks the children to think about what a real hero is and encourages them be one in their community. Each child walks away knowing that on that day we lost many angels, but that many men and women rose to the challenge and became real heroes too.

We can use the example of 9-11 to teach our children that heroes are not born, they may not even be famous, they are heroes because they answered the call to serve and are made by what they do for others.

Just think for a moment the bravery it took to rush to the WTC that day and not run away from it. Here is the last known picture of Rescue 5 NYFD on September 11th, 2001.

My discussion is in honor of Joseph A Mascali and the brave men of NYFD Rescue 5.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Judy on September 11, 2009 at 9:53am: My post on 9-11
The International Mom; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lynne Kenney on September 11, 2009 at 10:02am: The fact that this is September 11, 2009 has been weighing heavily on my mind today. As a family we said a prayer in the car on the way to school. In my 47 years I have learned that you can pray for anyone anywhere.

The unfortunate truth is that our girls, while still younger than 10 years of age know that bad people kidnap and kill children, that children starve in Africa and that regular people die as a matter of bad fortune, timing and malice. Some of our family members, while they lived, were at the towers when they went down. They saw more than they will say.

It is a hard time for parents because our children know more than their maturity can manage.

I work to keep my children safe psychologically by teaching them that their choices matter. They may not choose to go to a mall without an adult within ten feet. They may not have online accts that many of their friends have. They can choose to be kind, to share with others and to give with caring daily.

Our children are taught that God cannot manage all the acts of all human-beings so there are some things out of our control but we do our best to be accountable for and manage what we can control: Our actions to others, our rejection of prejudice, our kindness to children who tend to get left out of social interactions and our gifts to the world: Intelligence, athleticism, creativity, innovation.

I feel sad and touched today. But I will take action with love, kindness, compassion and good decision-making.

Bless those who give to others, often before themselves. We will not forget.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn on September 11, 2009 at 10:31am: Thanks Lynne - as usual you respond with wisdom and clarity. I will also say a pray with my children today.

Lynne Kenney said:
The fact that this is September 11, 2009 has been weighing heavily on my mind today. As a family we said a prayer in the car on the way to school. In my 47 years I have learned that you can pray for anyone anywhere.

The unfortunate truth is that our girls, while still younger than 10 years of age know that bad people kidnap and kill children, that children starve in Africa and that regular people die as a matter of bad fortune, timing and malice. Some of our family members, while they lived, were at the towers when they went down. They saw more than they will say.

It is a hard time for parents because our children know more than their maturity can manage.

I work to keep my children safe psychologically by teaching them that their choices matter. They may not choose to go to a mall without an adult within ten feet. They may not have online accts that many of their friends have. They can choose to be kind, to share with others and to give with caring daily.

Our children are taught that God cannot manage all the acts of all human-beings so there are some things out of our control but we do our best to be accountable for and manage what we can control: Our actions to others, our rejection of prejudice, our kindness to children who tend to get left out of social interactions and our gifts to the world: Intelligence, athleticism, creativity, innovation.

I feel sad and touched today. But I will take action with love, kindness, compassion and good decision-making.

Bless those who give to others, often before themselves. We will not forget.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dawn on September 11, 2009 at 10:37am: I read your post thanks for sharing. It must have been terrible to be away from home, your husband and one of your children and even more traumatic having to fly home to them just days after.

Judy said:
My post on 9-11
The International Mom; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lea Curtes-Swenson on September 11, 2009 at 12:31pm: Dawn, your post gave me the chills. Lynne's response is also thought-provoking. Thank you both for the excellent reminders of how we can raise our children to be good citizens who stand up for others.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelina Hall on September 12, 2009 at 8:10pm: I wasn't living in USA when it happened, but I still remember it.

This is my post on 9-11

PreservingHeritage; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robin Tramble on September 16, 2009 at 10:59pm: Hello Dawn,

Dawn,

Thanks for your inspiration. You are a Diamond shining with brilliance.

I wrote a song just a few after and I thought I was going to
promote it and sell it so it could be heard across the world. Each year I've thought of the
same until sometime back I just wanted those who needed to hear to have an opportunity
to listen whether it was sold or not. I believe this shared with my children young and grown the true gift of love and care for others that goes beyond ourselves. I just want people to hear and be inspired, healed
and encouraged. My gift to the world.

Thanks again Dawn and you other wonderful women.

Listen here
9/11 song You don't weep alone; ▶ Reply to This