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

[RedDenmanBrush]

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

[SpunkyMummy]

Of course it shouldn't be diluted into pain and sparkles.

But what do you want? Send them to one of these air raid reenactment shelters?
Or just not talk about it until they're 12 and then shock them with the whole thing in one go? (That's what happened to me, with the 3rd Reich. Seeing footage of KZ survivors when you're 12 and learning all this stuff in pretty much one of was seriously distressing.)

It's an important day. This is age appropriate.

[SpunkyMummy]

*paint

[Flingmoo]

I agree the CBeebies rabbit film is very tasteful and just the right level for that age. It shows peril, sadness, and hope, all at a level that's not too frightening for a young child.

I also agree with the PP who said kids will see people wearing poppies and asking about it. My 2 year old was given a poppy today by someone when we were out and about and he played with it at home. Of course he won't know the meaning for years still but I don't see any problem with them getting used to seeing it as a symbol at this time of year, deeper understanding will come with time.

[FleurThomas]

People died so you could have the freedom to debate this in your armchair OP. I think all kids should be forced to learn, at the very minimum, how very valuable are armed forces are. I don't think it should be down to parente like you at all.

[limitedperiodonly]

What does Remembrance Day mean to people these days?

My dad, who served in WWII and mum, who lived in London throughout the war and was called up to war work, never did. I'd ask them what it meant to them but they are both dead now.

When I was growing up, most people didn't wear them, though there were parades and services on Remembrance Sunday and poppies were sold at my junior school.

We used to run around the playground in the early 70s chanting: 'We won the war in 1964.' Seeing as my dad had served 30 years before, you'd think I'd have got that right. But maybe, despite having gone through it, he and my mum didn't think it was important for me to know.

[limitedperiodonly]

They never wore poppies, I mean

[sirfredfredgeorge]

If it's all about painting and rabbits and playing with poppies, then you're right, it's not appropriate. Hopefully it's just a misunderstood bit by your 5 year old, and the actual discussion is more appropriate and actually includes some form of rememberance.

Your reall BU though because you framed your question as if they shouldn't be learning about rememberance day at all, which they should.

[BackforGood]

YABU to make your title, and your OP opposing.

First you say you think your 5 yr old doesn't need to learn about Remembrance Day, then you say they aren't learning enough

It's no wonder people are finding it difficult to know which part to answer.

From what you say it sounds they are doing things well. Most schools sell poppies, so they have to talk to the dc first about what it is all about and why they are selling them. The dc will see people wearing poppies all around them - again, all comes under 'Knowledge and Understanding of the World'. Then they have to learn things in different learning styles, to enable all the dc to get an understanding and to then remember what they have learned - hence things like paintings, and the BBC video to help explain things to those dc who learn well through graphics.

[PotatoCakeMixes]

I'm late forties, and remember most people wearing poppies when I was little. We knew what they meant. Sunday afternoon films were inevitably about war, death and heroism. Including civilian heroism. Carve her name with pride and ice cold at Alex had an impact on me at an early age.

[Scaredycat3000]

My 7 yr old thinks it's all about slap bands with poppies on. Bangs head against wall, runs away very fast. Yes schools are doing a great job teaching our young. Throws some poppy shaped glitter as I run.
*all available at the tuck shop during morning break.

I will talk to him a little nearer the time so he's focused on the 11th unless school confuse him even more. Commercialising Remembrance day, honestly.

[weegiemum]

We find doing poppies hard, and neither dh or I wear them.

My paternal grandfather, who I remember well (he died when I was 16) was in the RAF in WW2, my other grandad was in a reserved occupation (coal mining) and in the home guard. So far, so good.

Dhs maternal grandfather was never called up as there wasn't conscription in N.Ireland.

His paternal grandfather was a pilot in the Luftwaffe and his grandmother a prominent part of the Hitler Youth. Because they were German. Thats what they did. By 1945 Opa was a russian prisoner of war and Omi a young "widowed" mother of 2.

We don't wear poppies because of the british triumphalism that goes with them.

My grandads, both of them, never wore a poppy. Dh just feels he can't, given his heritage.

And we both don't like the thing that poppies have become, an unthinking support of forces in wars we don't accept or agree too.

Our children have the choice (they're teenagers) and none of them choose to. They bear a German surname. Both dd1 and ds have been to the ww1 battlefields with school, who were incredibly good and they found german graves with a name very similar to ours. Neither want to wear poppies as "its not for them".

[e1y1]

I think this poem sums it up well:

"More than a Poppy"

I am not a badge of honour,
I am not a racist smear,
I am not a fashion statement,
To be worn but once a year,
I am not glorification
Of conflict or of war.
I am not a paper ornament
A token,
I am more.

I am a loving memory,
Of a father or a son,
A permanent reminder
Of each and every one.

I'm paper or enamel
I’m old or shining new,
I’m a way of saying thank you,
To every one of you.

I am a simple poppy
A Reminder to you all,
That courage faith and honour,
Will stand where heroes fall.

[Scaredycat3000]

e That poem is lovely, it's what poppies should be about. But that's not what poppies are about in 2016, it's slap bands, crystal brooches and how much money can we raise.