explaining what happened on 9/11 to your kids

Good morning everyone,

Today is September 11, 2012.

It has been 11 years since the tragic 9/11 events that changed the world forever. I was a young teenager when I initially heard of what happened that fateful morning and I remember feeling no sense of time, shock, and numbness.

With violence being such a common theme in our society today, through the video games we play and the TV and movies we watch, you sadly get “used” to it and you don’t realize the magnitude of what actually occurred until reality catches up with your senses and your numb feeling goes away.

During that time, I wish I had more sense of direction. I was hurt and confused. Sadly, it was through the media that I was able to understand and accept the situation and move on. I don’t blame my parents at all because I know the difficult circumstances they were in and they were just as shell-shocked as I was. But I believe that support and direction comes from the home, led by the parents.

So when such events like these occur, parents have to be prepared to take leadership and ensure their kids to understand what happened and what to take from it.

In my mind, I had two simple questions:

Why did this happen? How could this happen?

Looking back now, there are a few tips that I have on how to handle the situation should these type of events were to ever occur again.

  • Be Honest – Kids need to understand the truth of what happened. It will align them with reality and help them in the right direction after their initial sense of shock.
  • Be Simple – We raise our children with morals and should continue to instill in them what is right and what is wrong. Simply, in the world, there is good, and there is evil. It’s an understanding in life and should be used to reinforce children’s understanding right and wrong behavior. They don’t need to know the concept of terrorism or anything like that, but they should know that unfortunately good and evil co-exist in our society today.
  • Be Supportive – Beyond this initial talk, be supportive for the months and years to come. Continue to ask them questions because they will be receiving news from the TV, internet, radio, friends, and many other sources. You must ensure that they are receiving and interpreting the information in the correct manner and are not influenced by the manipulative evils that sadly exist in the media as well. In the home, you must provide the support and foundation they need to go through their everyday lives.


Above images via.

Above image via.

On the anniversary of 9/11, let love, compassion, and sensitivity guide your words. Prepare how you will explain 9/11 to your children by following the inspiration from the same spirit of kindness and courage that emerged that day.



  1. Great article and loved reading it.


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