AquamarineSteph
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 1, 2013
You always have to think about the age of the child vs. what they can understand. I know we all think our kids are brilliant. (Of course, they are!!) But there is a difference between what we as adults can understand and what children at this age, that age, etc., can truly process.
For instance - I sent my child to the Orthodox (Jewish) day school in kindergarten. EVERY time I dropped her off at school, I knew there was a chance that something could happen b/c the school was located on the grounds of a synagogue. This was a constant worry until she transitioned to public school. (And seriously - who doesn't worry about sending their kids to public schools now???)
Long story short - I told my child that the constant safety drills, back up plans (the Jewish day school had excellent plans in place, although please note that this was PRE 9/11) were because people hated us for existing. I don't know another way of explaining being Jewish in America, but I did tell her that not everyone hated us. It was just certain people who were afraid of people different from themselves.
My family has been here since roughly 1680. There is hate. BUT there is also hope, because not everyone hates those who are different from themselves. And THAT is the best answer I can give. If you don't hate 'others' then you are way ahead of everyone else, and you make our country the amazing place that it is.
For instance - I sent my child to the Orthodox (Jewish) day school in kindergarten. EVERY time I dropped her off at school, I knew there was a chance that something could happen b/c the school was located on the grounds of a synagogue. This was a constant worry until she transitioned to public school. (And seriously - who doesn't worry about sending their kids to public schools now???)
Long story short - I told my child that the constant safety drills, back up plans (the Jewish day school had excellent plans in place, although please note that this was PRE 9/11) were because people hated us for existing. I don't know another way of explaining being Jewish in America, but I did tell her that not everyone hated us. It was just certain people who were afraid of people different from themselves.
My family has been here since roughly 1680. There is hate. BUT there is also hope, because not everyone hates those who are different from themselves. And THAT is the best answer I can give. If you don't hate 'others' then you are way ahead of everyone else, and you make our country the amazing place that it is.