To think that a minute's silence was not appropriate in school.

[Easternmom]

My 2 DD (7&8) came home from school as told me that they had a minute's silence for 'the thing that happened in London where people died'. Someone in the reception class had disrupted it with a burp - so it was a story to tell me- otherwise I may not have known. However- they didn't give them any context or explain what happened etc- it seems it was tacked onto their prayers at the end of assembly. We do listen to the radio a lot and as they are older we have had several chats about things they hear in the news or at school. However, I feel that if the school are going to bring this up- they really should let parents know or give the kids time to talk about it. None if that happened. Also, very weird for the reception class- and even yr 1& 2 to have been there as they are, in my opinion, too young to properly understand and it just would have scared my kids at that age. Am I being over sensitive? They have never had a minute's silence for anything else, so it also seems odd to single out this awful attack out and ignore others.

I honestly think this is getting ridiculous.

Yes, what happened was undoubtedly awful and tragic and despicable.

But we've now had 48 hours straight news on the subject, unending speculation and analysis. Thousands of people holding candlelight vigil for a literal handful of strangers. More people probably died in London of heart attacks on Wednesday.

All I keep hearing is that terrorism won't stop us living our normal lives, yet here we are piling into Trafalgar Square doing exactly that.

I think we really all should question the role of society here: the media, for sure. Yes, their ratings will be fantastic, but they're changing lives, countries, history with how they frame current events (Trump, anyone?) and we are taking their lead and running with it to a ludicrous degree.

A minute's silence chosen by the community of a victim, that I completely understand. But just as a blanket thing? We need to dial all this down a little.

Some people won't want their children told much info and anyone who wants their children to know more can explain it themselves

Best stop children talking in playgrounds then, because they will.

I am really sorry but i find this post so self absorbed.

A few families have permanently lost a loved one, very unexpectedly.

Bitching about a 1 min silence seems in such poor taste to me. But that's just me.

Yes, their ratings will be fantastic, but they're changing lives, countries, history with how they frame current events (Trump, anyone?)

You are seriously saying that the TV media coverage is like Trump?

Of you don't want to watch there is an off button.

Sorry should have clarified (although I would have thought my meaning is obvious) a minutes silence in memory of unknown people killed in a terrorist attack is pretty meaningless to children, as it should be.

Of course they can learn to be quiet for a minute in other circumstances!

If anyone else dies in hospital, when do they get their minutes silence? What about thoughts and respects to those who were horrifically injured? I think it is unhelpful gesture.

I think they probably are too young, but think it's good for those a bit older in the school. I remember asking for a minutes silence the day after 9/11 when I was at school (although secondary). I was scared and upset, and wished the adults at school would talk about or mark it somehow. I suppose it was the first time something that big had happened in my lifetime, and it felt weird just carrying on without something marking it. The school refused though.

Totally agree first. Here we are getting on with our lives, exposing 4 yo to the idea of terrorism just to make sure they know what we are getting on with ignoring.....

Utter BS, I'm so ashamed of the BBC coverage.

I'm saying that the 24 rolling news culture is having a profound effect on our society. Trump was much better news, he got much more clicks, sold more papers, said wackier things, was guaranteed clickbait, until every utterance of his made national news.

If any policy of Hilary's had got half as much coverage we wouldn't be living through the shit show that we are.

It's the same here: if we denied this arsehole the oxygen of publicity that would be for the good of all of us; less people would be tempted or inspired to copy him (see Antwerp yesterday) and go out in a fucked up blaze of glory. I can't imagine what people who have lived through real war, etc, must think of us.

That 'off button' comment is just obtuse.

That 'off button' comment is just obtuse.

No it really isn't.

Barbarian Mum yes I remember bomb drills too, but that's not what we're discussing. We're talking about commemorating an event, not preparing for one.

YABVU. The school does not need your permission to pay respect to the victims of this attack.

Yeah, it is. I don't want to not watch the news. I want the news to be better - smart, informed, balanced, restrained, insightful, deep.

Not just Kay Burley trolling people in the street hoping they'll cry on camera for her.

I'd rather have an interesting debate about this than have my opinion shut down with inane bollocks like 'If you don't like it, don't watch it.'

How is that going to make any difference?

Not just Kay Burley trolling people in the street hoping they'll cry on camera for her.

I haven't seen that because I know what Kay Burley is like, I know what Sky News is like so I haven't switched it on.

Your children were clearly unperturbed as all they recall is the burp. You are being uber sensitive and mildly ridiculous.

I think it's a permissible topic - how do we introduce terrorism and awaeness of it to very young children without scaring them.

Me neither Caravan. It was an illustration of my point...

seems odd to single out this awful attack out and ignore others.

YABU. This was an attack on our capital city, on our parliament. I think that it is right to mark it.

By the way, when I was about 7, the Dunblane massacre happened and my teacher made us observe a minute's silence. I'll remember that for the rest of my life and it wasn't a bad thing. I'm not emotionally damaged by it.

My daughter's school have had minute silences for lots and lots of things. Terror attacks, earthquakes, migrants drowning.

I think there are arguments in favour of discussing these events with children. Absolutely. Without frightening them. They are very likely in this day and age to find out anyway with our 24 hour rolling news/social media culture. Far better for it to be approached in schools (and at home) in a sensitive way.

YABU. People died. Children should be taught to respect victims of atrocities like this.

Lux, where are the boundaries for that though? Five people, four people, three? For any cause? Or mostly terrorism?

I'm not being goady, and I don't have a formed opinion, I just think it's useful and interesting to consider.

Some people won't want their children told much info and anyone who wants their children to know more can explain it themselves

It was the topic of conversation in my 7 year olds play ground yesterday. I would sooner its talked about by parents and teachers so its not playground gossip and the kids can get the understanding, support and truth.

There has been a ridiculous amount of bitching and whining on MN about the coverage of the attack...the fundraising for the families...the fact that the PM didn't appear on the TV quick enough...people on FB using the safe feature...why are victims of attacks in the UK discussed in the media and not other countries...and now about a minute's silence. FFS.

It's bad enough that these things happen in the first place without then some people seemingly relishing in finding something to fucking whinge about.

When I said people can explain as much or little to their children I meant that it's not for the school to explain details , obviously children talk in the playground but that is nothing to do with whether a school holds a minutes silence .

It's bad enough that these things happen in the first place without then some people seemingly relishing in finding something to fucking whinge about.

Exactly.

So far those that have been complained about on MN are the media, Theresa May, those organising fundraising, those that actually give to the fundraising, schools and even the Queen!

Because taking a minutes silence is a respectful thing to do. I'd be more concerned that a school age child wasn't able to stand in silence for one minute - I hope his child's teacher or parents explained to this child that they should try and not burp during this time

Surely, if DC's don't understand the reason behind it then parents can explain it to them. And if parents don't understand why then we may as willl give up on living in a civilized society. It's not rocket science