Discussing the US-IRAQ war with our kids

[Andrew]

I have a nearly seven year old daughter, and have so far sheltered her from the war. But I know, that as this terrible reality continues, I will at some point have to explain all this to her. Have any of you had to discuss this with your kids? How have you approached this topic?

[Lafnalot]

I have had to speak with Elizabeth, as you know, my six year old.She was asking what was "war" etc. I explained to her that it was when some countries, like families, get angry or upset with each other to the point where they fight each other. Of course, being who she is, she asked why. I simply told her my belief system that fighting is wrong for everyone BUT because we are humans we make mistakes. So we try to talk to each other to help calm each other down so maybe , if we do fight, it isnt for long. Thankfully she hasnt listened long enough to the news or her sister and I talking ( thank GOD for ADD) and taken it a step further to death etc. She is an anxious child with many fears and it will be difficult to ease ones so big..

[kitty_kaht]

This is a huge issue for most parents, walked in on my 5 year old son watching the news the other day,they were bringing back the first bodies to the uk, he was crying and saying it was very sad that people were dying and asked me why this was happening. I was kinda at a loss for words to explain why people are dying, but basically used the same tactics as laffy. I think as a child your biggest concern is that you and your family are not gonna come to harm,so I assured him that he was safe and that I would always protect him. The key for all families with young kids who are affraid because of this conflict is to never let them see or hear any fear from significant adults in there lives.
Logically, we as parents are indestructable as far as our kids are concerned, the minute they see any kind of frailty or fear in a parent the world becomes a whole lot scarier to them.

[webqueen62]

Well, I have one child that doesn't really have a clue what is going on and one that is deeply affected.

I did my best to express how my daughter's father and I feel about this conflict, and to share with her why others feel so differently. She is very frustrated that her country would take part in something that may cause harm to other people and understands the "No War" and the "Liberate Iraqis" political lawn signs that she sees everday on the bus to school.

When this started, or the day before, a lot of the children at school expressed their thoughts about it (or their parents politics) and she was very upset that I had not made sure that she wore red, white and blue to school. This is when we had our discussion.

While I know we each have our own political thoughts about various issues, I think it is a shame that some folks turn their children into mouthpieces for their own personal agendas. I had to deal with the aftermath and emotion of this, I hope I handled it with the grace it deserved.

P.S. We try to keep the news off until they are in bed