Should I take my 9 year old to Ground Zero?

Question

I'm taking my 9 year old daughter to NYC for the first time next week. We live in a very rural, farm based community so the city will be like nothing she has ever seen before!

She was an infant on 9/11 so she doesn't remember the events but they have discussed it at surface levels in her school. I have yet to visit Ground Zero so I'm not sure what to expect. Would it be appropriate to bring her to there and can anyone recommend what and how I might discuss it with her without creating "fear" in her young mind. I want her to enjoy the city and now that it is as safe as any place so long as you are prepared, always aware of your surroundings and make good decisions.

Answer 1

Of course...why not.

Its not as if there are still bodies lying everywhere. All of the ruins is gone, its just a big pit now.  

Answer 2

Why not? I would, she'll enjoy it.  

Answer 3

You can take your daughter. I have been there. It is the remnants of the Towers and usually there are photos there of people who were lost in the attack. Just tell her what they told her in school, I guess.

Answer 4

I would take her there, it would be a good memory for her.

It depends on her maturity, but i would just tell her that "some very very bad people, tried to hurt America, and in the process, took a lot of lives."

Answer 5

Take her, tell her the short basic version and she'll ask questions and that's the information you give her.. Only what her own mind comes up with.. you don't need to burden her down with the whole thing.. Only what she is able to reason and ask for herself.

Answer 6

Hello,

Sure why not.  I don't see any harm in it.  It would be a learning kind of an experience.  Just tell her that there were two big towers there that were brought down by some bad guys and many many people where in those towers and I think that that's all you really need to say.  She'll understand and she'll learn a lot more from other people I'm sure as she gets older.  At this age she doesn’t need to know EVERYTHING.  If you tell her EVERYTHING at her age it might scare her and she may not be able to sleep at night.  Just keep it simple, but other than that it should be fun just to go to NYC from what I here it's a lot of fun there.  Never been there, but I’ve been to 1000 Islands NY.

Have Fun and good luck!

Holly

Answer 7

I was 8 when the twin towers where attacked, I found out by overhearing the teachers talking and then at home seeing it on the bbc. My parents answered my questions about what happened, they didn't sugar coat what happened, but they didn't tell me everything, so they basically told me what happened, but not all of the details. I think its important that she knows what happened there, answer her questions about what happened and reassure her that she is perfectly safe.

I hope you have a lovely time in NYC with your daughter.    

Answer 8

If for any reason it is a great historical sight with very deep meaning for all patriotic Americans.  I think it would be a good idea.  Tell her about how the heros of 9/11 gave their lives to save others.  Let her ask the questions and then answer them accordingly.  Have fun on your trip too :)