Was Bin Laden a Dad?

For most of yesterday I avoided the topic of Bin Laden all together with Miles. My plan was to avoid telling him about it and reminding him about the events of 9/11 which I've talked with him about before. Then I realized that no matter how difficult it might be to explain these incredibly complicated events to a 6 year old, it was a real opportunity to talk about compassion and tolerance.

I was right, it was difficult. But, there is something very valuable in the exercise of explaining complicated world events to someone in a very elementary way. It really cuts to the core of the event. I reminded him about what happened on 9/11, explanining that it was important that we remove Bin Laden from power. I tried to explain to him that while I do not believe in killing someone because they've killed, it was the only way to stop him. Then I attempted to explain why there were people on tv cheering about this man's death.

He said, "Was he a dad?"

"Yes. He had many children." I said.

"Hmm. So now they just have a mom..."

No matter how much explaining I do about how horrific the events of 9/11, the death of this man really just comes down to this for him. This is the way that he can relate. I didn't explain how many children were left orphaned from the acts that Bin Laden's committed. I just left it at that because I guess this is his way of showing compassion and that is all that is important to me.

For a great resource on discussing these events with kids check out this site: http://htekidsnews.com/osama-bin-laden

Illustration is by Catherine Ormaeche and is from the book The Day Our World Changed: Children’s Art of 9/11 (Abrams).

Comments

[Kelly]

I haven't discussed any of this with my kids. But we are getting to the point with Cora where I wonder if we will need to. I think your conversation went well, so hard though.