growing up conspiracy theorist

I have a question for any conspiracy theorists out there with kids. How would you say your views on the kind of subject matter ATS is all about effect the way you raise your children? When would you say is an appropriate time/age to start educating them about how horrible the world actually is? If you became a "believer" after you had your children, would you still have had them, knowing the kind of world you were about to bring a life into? Conversely, can we afford not to bring new, free thinking minds into the world to hopefully build a better tomorrow? What your your thoughts? I do not have children myself, but these are many of the things I have been considering when thinking about the possibility of having them.

I don't have any kids, however I remember when I was first introduced to conspiracy theories. I was about 8 years old and I was staying at my grandparents house. I was watching a children's science program about space and the moon landing. I found the whole thing fascinating that people had walked on the moon...then my gran turned to me and said "I don't believe they landed on the moon". At that time I was too young to understand why she said this. It wasn't till a few years later when I was 12, that I started to understand what a conspiracy theory was. I started collecting this weekly "unexplained mystery" magazine... the first issue was all about how the moon landing was faked. From then on I was hooked!

Of course you still have them (children).. and as far as what age you educate them, it's not like you sit them down one day and "tell them the way things are". As they grow and things come up at school or in eating habits or certain questions they have about things, you just simply do not lie to them. That's all.

My father-in-law is a "conspiracy theorist" (hate that phrase, but I don't know what other universal term would apply), and my wife grew up hearing all about it, from fluoride to vaccines to aspartame. She says on 9/11 they were let out of school early and when she got home her Dad was already talking about how it was an inside job. My wife says though there were times growing up that she thought he was crazy, she never wrote him off, and nowadays she's so glad that he always told her the truth about everything because she's found on her own that he was always right. They are extremely close.. we live in LA, and her parents live in Iowa, and my wife talks to her dad on the phone for hours on end on a regular basis.

I'm also glad he raised her the way he did.. she's an extremely loving and kind person, but the thing that I hands-down love the most about her is that she thinks for herself. Period. No matter what, she is always an independent thinker. It's extremely attractive.

We're preparing to start a family, and I look forward to educating my kid about the reality of things when such discussions arise. Can't wait until he/she comes home from school talking about what they learned (and didn't learn) about Andrew Jackson or the Constitution..

Basically, my plan is to address things for them in the same way I'd like it to be for myself... knowing the truth, being aware of the reality of things, yet not letting it overtly effect who they are as a person or what they want in life. That's the way my wife is. She knows 9/11 was an inside job and/or that our government is absolutely capable of such atrocities. She knows that CNN, Fox, MSNBC provide laughable information. She knows our civil liberties are being taken from us. She knows all these things.. But she doesn't have to be on a site like ATS for a couple hours everyday engulfing herself in it (like me).. Because she just grew up knowing that's just the reality of it, that's just the way the world is, and she's had 26 years to cope and to get beyond it. I, on the otherhand, grew up at the hands of sheeple (whom I love very much).. but when reality hit me at age 19, I was forced to let my reeducation consume me, and at times alienate me from others, while I worked through the process. That's something I don't want for my kid..

And one last point.. though my wife grew up with a "conspiracy theorist" dad, she was NEVER any sort of strange kid at school or anything like that. Always extremely social, popular and well-liked by many different groups of people, a very active and social upbringing. So do not think that it's a choice between your kid being uninformed, indoctrinated, yet "normal".. or educated yet "weird". That's not the case.

Sorry I maybe rambled a bit... it's just a topic that greatly intrigues me as well, as I prepare to start a family..

Let's raise some realists!!

If you teach them "how horrible the world is", then they will create a horrible world while thinking they are helping.

Teach how incredible the world is... including the incredible fact of how there is so much freedom in reality (reality beyond school, work, or even nations)... that there is the freedom to take extreme advantage of another person. There is also the freedom to be educated and aware enough... while also remaining compassionate enough... to navigate the world and help make it a good place for yourself and those close to you.

That there is the freedom to decide for ourself how *we* want to be to those around us, and that at the end of the day (life), that will be what matters most.

The fundamentals, whether in a utopia or a hell, never change.

Namaste!

I am a mom, and I decided to discuss some of the subjects of conspiracy with my children at a pretty early age (7-13). Nothing major of course, but something that can resonate with them as they grow.

Started with Disney, subliminal messaging, how to identify commercials messages, I thought my 13 yr old wouldn't get it, or be bored, she was very fascinated, and keeps me on my toes at times.

I have home-schooled for the past few years, and always remind my children that this is a very important part of life. Being aware, and conscience, about things that are around you. I have also made note that they would be different, but in a good way.

They would be independent, question things when they aren't sure, and never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Most parents are not this way, and guess I wanted my children to always be appreciative for what they have, love fully, care for those in need, and learn everything you can, because that is what true leadership is.

I have seen what has become of children, and how many of us secretly started researching due to fear of ridicule, and I never want my kids to feel that way. Imagine if many of us were already raised to ask the important questions.

Good luck to you and your future family.
Peace, NRE.
S&F

oh, and S&F... this is a good discussion piece
2nd

Good topic. I grew up with my dad telling me about all this stuff, from practically 4/5ish. Although a lot of the stuff I didn't understand and just thought was plain scary. It wasn't until a few years ago that I really took what he was telling me seriously and started looking into it myself. He always tried to keep us kids and my mom informed about what was really going on and just wanted us to be mentally prepared. After some of the things he was saying I started seeing it happening, although deep down I always known there were things that just didn't seem right. I am happy he told me at a young age though, at the time maybe it was scary, but I have learned to let go of that fear. I think it has helped me to be more open minded and able to think for myself.