Tuesday, May 03, 2011

What Are You Telling Your Kids about Osama Bin Laden?

My husband and I were thrilled and relieved to hear the news about Osama Bin Laden on Sunday. Not that I'm celebrating his death, but I'm glad he's .... well, out of the way. I tried to explain to my 6-year-old that all our prayers for our soldiers came to fruition. How do you explain that to a child? History was made this week but I couldn't bring myself to tell her that in 2001 a horrible man orchestrated two planes to be flown into sky scrapers in New York, killing innocent people... lots of innocent people.

No, instead, we told Little K that our soldiers captured Osama Bin Laden, putting that evil man where he could hurt people no more. Our daughter asked what Osama did and I delicately told her that he didn't like Americans (or a lot of other people for that matter) because so many of us believe in Jesus Christ. That's hard for me to understand so I wasn't surprised as the wheels in her head spun.

Since then, I've talked to a few parents and they've carefully dodged the bullet on discussing this with their children. It's critical that our children feel safe so I can't blame them. Still, I was happy to show Little K the TV when Americans danced and chanted in front of the White House and in New York. "They are glad to be American, baby" I told Little K. "Thank God you live in America"

This morning, I continued to think about the recent events & wonder if the terrorists will strike back. For a moment, I worried. Then, I decided that Americans can be nervous or we can be thankful. We can be anxious or we can be prayerful. I choose to relish in being blessed. And I continue to ask my family and friends to pray for our armed forces and for peace. May this be the beginning to a more peaceful time in history. Here's hoping... and praying for our families.

What are you telling your kids?

Until the next nap time...