And, How, as parents, Can we look out kids in the eyes and tell them what our parents told us?

Explain it to me (I don't need to be schooled in parenting). It's just a request to think about things a little differently.

Should I continue the charade that the powers that be would have me tell my kids (11, 10 and special needs 5) that everything's fine?

I'm sending out a heart felt plea for the current Generals of America to end the nonsense that we're witnessing, and pull a good, old-fashioned coup.

I have 4 brothers. One has been sucked up by the witnessers for Jehova. One who is an upstanding Paramedic. One who is an upstanding member of the GOP. One who is looking at jail time (trust me, don't be too quick to judge). I'm a comfortable graphic artist. I've served as a medic in the Army. I've had a good (GREAT) christian upbringing.

For all the people who will litter my thread with characters, I ask you.
Can I look my kids in the eye and tell them "Everything's fine. The Governmant has a handle on the GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS. Everything they're doing is in OUR best intersts. Don't worry about it."

Little League season is coming up quick, but seriously. What would you tell your kids?

Would someone PLEASE edit the title of the thread? They put the "R" key too close the the "T" key.

Sorry everybody!!!

You can edit the title by clicking Edit on your first post. That will allow you to edit the post as well as the title.

To your question, sorry if my answer seems overly simple, but I'd tell them the truth. Children deserve as much.

Good point Travelerinthedark.

I don't have any children, but it's better to be honest almost all the time (jew protectors in the holocaust are a type of exception).

My parents told me their was no santa claus, I actually felt more loved by my parents knowing they got that stuff for me then, well, some magical fat guy I didn't know.

If you tell them the gov't is under control, you would be lying, we are in control we are the majority, let them understand they control their destinies.

Some kids are much smarter then given credit for.

The truth tempered with a bit of a "sometimes people aren't what they seem and have agendas of their own" lesson. Followed up by a lesson in true American values, because as Americans... as citizens of any country it is not only their right, but their duty to make sure the leaders are working in their best interest and to never accept a politicians word as anything but a lie.

Truthfully, I have 3 children, the youngest is 8, the olders just turned 17 and I would not lie to them about such things.

It may be hard, but it is much easier to tell them the truth now instead of explaining why you made it all peachy sounding when they were kids, once they are old enough to realize it.

I tell my children to just prepare and live life to the fullest as much as they can during these hard times, and especially during harder times.

And really there is no point in making your children feel bad about this, maybe your 11 and ten year olds are old enough to understand, however your 5 year old with special needs, needs to know that you are super mom and will keep him safe and happy forever (as I'm sure he already does).

Just be viligant, telling them everything is fine will only compound the problem once they realize it's not. You should try to educate them as best you can without making it dreary.

~Keeper

Thanks, everyone, for responding.

My kids are currently taking the State's Stadardized Testing. So I won't worry them by expaining reality to them.

It's a rehtorical question realy.

But what do we tell our "retired" grandparents?

Being a parent is a tough job but the most important one in our world.

I always told my children the truth. They are in their 30's now and send their children to me so I can explain the good and bad things happening in our lives.

I always temper the truth with hope. Children need hope in their future.

You are a very thoughtful father and I commend you for being so.

May the light shine on you and yours.

Originally posted by cryingindian
But what do we tell our "retired" grandparents?

Start smoking and drinking and eating terribly and they won't see the worst of it

Seriously though... I don't know actually, my grandparents paid pretty close attention to where their money was and haven't been affected to any extent as of yet. They also have two of my uncles who still live in the area, one of whom quite literally has the first dollar he ever made. So they've got a cushion.

[edit on 3/23/2009 by eNumbra]