BIN LADEN AND THE IMPACT ON FAMILIES

I guess I have to write about the world events related to the capture and killing of bin Laden.  I am saddened about myself to say that this had really left my conscious attention.  I just didn’t think about our inability to find bin Laden any more.  Last night a friend called me to say the President would be speaking about 10:30 but they weren’t saying about what.  “My first reaction was Oh no, what’s happened now…” 

For all of us there are mixed reactions.  Since bin Laden was the leader of al-Qaida at the time of 9-11 this was long overdue.  I was saddened to see how groups of Americans seemed pulled together last night as they rallied in support of this action.  Almost 10 years ago we were pulled together as a nation as we struggled to understand the events of 9-11.   From then we have been more polarized as a nation than maybe ever before.  We have lost sight of how as a nation we can achieve great things if we can act as one. We fight over all kinds of things and loose sight of the big picture. 

So this is actually a blog on parenting so how will I bring this back to task?  I have two ways to make this relevant.  1- Talk to your children about the events of last night.  Allow them to talk about how they felt and answer questions they may have.  Give them the space they need to have their own opinions.  2- As a nation we are seldom pulled together as one.  We need to use this thought and apply it to our own families.  Are we pulled together when we need to be and can we have separate identities when we need to?  A healthy family can do both.

Whatever you believe, these are difficult times in our world.  Pray for peace for all involved.  Sherri

 

Comments

[Kat Cook]

My students today asked me about my thoughts on Bin Laden's death. It was at the fore of their questions. My reply to them was that death is always a tragedy, and to glorify death makes us too much like the terrorists we fight. The kids were surprised by the answer and said that they hadn't been hearing that much. I think to use this event as a teachable moment is a great idea, and I wish I'd thought of it and hadn't waited for my students to bring it up (if only I'd read this blog before I started teaching for the day).

--Kat C.

[Sharon Cook, LCSW, LMFT]

How nicely put. I hope your students were able to hear what you taught them. Thanks for reading and commenting.