Do you talk to your kids about what war is like? How much do they need to know, and to what extent? Do they need to be educated about it, and if yes, how to approach this sensitive topic without causing trauma to still developing psyche?! No one can really give a clear-cut answer because every parent thinks differently, and every kid/ teenager has his/her own way of thinking, understanding, and analyzing. I personally believe it is important to alert the awareness of my 11-year-old son about the concept of war, the struggles, the senselessness, and the rough reality. I explain, but sometimes the information should come from a different angle to grasp something complex.
During my university research about the war between Brits and Germans, I was so surprised to find out how young English boys happily went to war with smiles and flowers, not knowing where they were going. Only in the aftermath, they learned the whole horror of the war. One of the best creations of Steven Spielberg, The War Horse (2011), actually tells the story of war, which can be understandable to a child ten years and older. The story in the film tells about the war horse that serves as a soldier, as an object of love and hope, and through this prism, it shows the senselessness of war. This film is amazing, beautiful, and touching. If you haven’t seen it, watch it with your teens. That would be great learning!