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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that my 5 year old doesn't need to learn about Remembrance Day?

63 replies

RedDenmanBrush · 07/11/2016 21:19

DD has been painting lots of pictures of poppies. They have a 'poppy play' area in class this week with toy soldiers. They have also watched a video about a rabbit in a field of poppies.

I think this is really.... off. I don't think it should be diluted into paint and sparkles. I think it is too important for that

OP posts:

AddToBasket · 07/11/2016 21:21

You are wrong. It's a valuable celebration of rememberance. I

BubbleGumBubble · 07/11/2016 21:23

It is age appropriate learning. Nothing wrong with that at all.

KindergartenKop · 07/11/2016 21:23

Perhaps it's important to introduce the subject so it can be explained further when they're older.

Kids these days don't have family memories of ww1 or 2, they have no reference point. Their education on the subject therefore needs to be different.

But is this the right way to do it? I don't know.

Ayeok · 07/11/2016 21:24

Then teach her yourself if it's important to you. Ours all know from a very early age, but that's because their DF (my DP) is a recent war veteran and Remembrance week in particular is a tough week for him. If you want your DD to know about the poppy, tell her yourself in age appropriate terms what it means.
Ours know that daddy was a soldier, that BIL was too and is still poorly because of what happened at war (PTSD) and that some of daddy and uncle xxxx's friends didn't come home. It doesn't need to be gruesome, just in terms kids can cope with.

Original poster

RedDenmanBrush · 07/11/2016 21:24

They aren't learning about it though. It's diluted beyond recognition and made into something to play with.

OP posts:

TeenAndTween · 07/11/2016 21:26

I think you are wrong.
My DD was 3 when we first took her to part of a remembrance day parade. We started with 'soldiers died to help keep this country free' and moved on from there.
The children will be seeing people wearing poppies and asking about it.

Getnakedorgohome · 07/11/2016 21:26

My 4yo understands (from school and home) that it is a day we will remember and thank all the soldiers from ww1 which was a long time ago, and all the soldiers since who have looked after us. She knows we have poppies because they grew where the army fought, and that the money from buying the poppies helps the soldiers who aren't in the army anymore. Dh is currently deployed and she is interested in everything military at the moment. Maybe you could tell her a bit more about it if you want it to be less sparkly?

BubbleGumBubble · 07/11/2016 21:28

They aren't learning about it though. It's diluted beyond recognition and made into something to play with.

As they progress through school they will learn more and more about it.

Note3 · 07/11/2016 21:28

100% it's important

Original poster

RedDenmanBrush · 07/11/2016 21:30

The children will be seeing people wearing poppies and asking about it.

Of course. I just don't think the school are answering those questions appropriately with all the paint and toys.

OP posts:

Original poster

RedDenmanBrush · 07/11/2016 21:32

As they progress through school they will learn more and more about it.

Exactly. What's wrong with introducing at 7 or 8, when they have a little more understanding of the world?

I can see that I'm in the minority, but I just think it's so important, it should be treated seriously.

OP posts:

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/11/2016 21:33

I'm not sure people are actually reading the OP...

OP, YANBU. Remembrance day is not about poppies. It is about remembering sadly the millions of people who died in the world wars. There is nothing about that that a 4 year old cannot understand.

Reducing remembrance day to just poppies is pretty shameful IMO.

BubbleGumBubble · 07/11/2016 21:34

Because the poppy is everywhere this time of year so they are introducing it in a way the children can understand/familarize themselves with it. As they get older the history of the poppy will be introduced.

Why is that so wrong?

Original poster

RedDenmanBrush · 07/11/2016 21:35

I think it takes away from the solemnity of remembrance.

OP posts:

BubbleGumBubble · 07/11/2016 21:37

Reducing remembrance day to just poppies is pretty shameful IMO.

Poppies ARE the symbol of rememberance.
There is nothing shameful about it. The poppy itself spurns the thought of rememberance and causes the wearer to think about those who died.

originalmavis · 07/11/2016 21:37

I knew all about the world wars from my grandparents - and grandpa died when I was 3. We used to watch The World at War and would ask him why the Germans never managed to catch him.

My parents were kids during WW2 - old enough to be fully aware of events of the time. They would tell us about their childhood, what their parents did, etc.

Please don't dumb it down for kids!

Cocochoco · 07/11/2016 21:38

I think you just put on the TV on Sunday and observe the 2-minute silence with her. It's very moving, especially when the Last Post is played.

BubbleGumBubble · 07/11/2016 21:38

I think it takes away from the solemnity of remembrance.

Then YOU teach your child about rememberamce then OP. Nothing is stopping you.

Original poster

RedDenmanBrush · 07/11/2016 21:38

Ah crap. DD just thrown up so I'll come back on tomorrow- not ignoring anyone!

OP posts:

foursillybeans · 07/11/2016 21:39

I think you gave your post a weird and misleading title.

In answer to your title - YABU. All ages can and should learn about rememberance day.

In answer to your actual post - YANBU. Your DC will be completely confused by the references to poppies and rabbits whilst not understanding the point behind the poppies. The school should be teaching about the war and the consequences and why we can all be thankful for the people who served us and who still do serve our country. The poppies need little more than a mention at 5 yrs old.

Original poster

RedDenmanBrush · 07/11/2016 21:39

I do- I am questioning the way her school is approaching it...

OP posts:

ConferencePear · 07/11/2016 21:39

What on earth is wrong with teaching children elements of their own culture ?

zizza · 07/11/2016 21:41

I think your title is misleading op. It made it sound like you don't think they should learn about it at all, but what you say in your post is that you want them to learn about what it means rather than just concentrating on the poppy ( which i agree with).

YouTheCat · 07/11/2016 21:42

I'll never forget when my twins (now 21) were in nursery and we observed the minute silence. You could hear a pin drop.

They will learn more about remembrance as they get older. For now, it sounds like school are at least bothering, albeit in a rather diluted way. As time goes on, it becomes more and more important to remember.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 07/11/2016 21:43

^Poppies ARE the symbol of rememberance.
There is nothing shameful about it. The poppy itself spurns the thought of rememberance and causes the wearer to think about those who died.^

I wish that were the case. Poppies are now almost entirely jingoistic - printed on the sides of warplanes, and carried by children with "future soldier" t-shirts. If you have the money you can buy a poppy tastefully made from WW1 shell casing. It's bloody horrific.

And of course, let us not forget the poppy police who have made not wearing a poppy into some sort of treasonous statement.

The important thing about remembrance day is about remembering the millions who died, of all nationalities; soldiers and civilians, not about whether or not you wear a fucking poppy.

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