Nightmare

[Kber]

last night my 8 year old woke me up at about 3:30 after he had had a bad dream. He dreamed that all the houses in our town were on fire because of "bombs and explosions". Then his grandma was crying for help, but we couldn't get to her. Then my husband went out, but got killed. Then I went to go try to help our neighbors and my son was left alone. Then, in his dream, a bomb hit the house and he was killed.

Talked to his teacher today and she told me that the kids were discussing the Iraq war during lunch. Although I censor the news in when he's around (hard lesson learned after 9-11), he picks up things from other kids and I guess they are disturbing his sleep.

Sigh... I wonder how the first family slept last night.

[revree]

1. I'm sure they slept peacefully

After all, their kids won't be drafted...

[Mabus]

2. in their usual drunken stupors

So I guess the answer to your question is, "same as always."

[UdoKier]

3. I don't let the kids watch much news, but why would you censor reality?

I talk to my kids about the war a lot. There is a lot of glamorization of war in this culture. It's important to teach kids what it really is - pure horror.

[peacebird]

7. but each parent knows their own children

some are more easily upset and perhaps empathize too easily with the Iraqis, some are more able to understand that while war is hell - to discuss it doesn't disturb their sleep because they know they are safe at home.

It seems unkind to criticize a parent for how they try to care for and protect their child without more information. Every child is different, even siblings.

I'm more upset that an 8 year old should have nightmares over a situation he is powerless to change, but by the same token - his huge HEART gives me hope.

[Kber]

16. I don't try to censor so much as filter for what an 8 year old can prroces

three of this class mates, not kids he knew very well, but a little, lost parents on 9-11, two dads and one mom, and, to be honest, I didn't handle that day all that well. My husband was somewhere downtown, but since cell phones weren't working, it was hours before we heard from him and know he was safe. I've probably overcompensated since.

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. They don't waste their beautiful minds on the death and destruction

caused by their chimp family member.

[jdj]

5. I remember my nightmares from the Reagan years.

my generation is eclipsed by the boomers growing up in the Cuban missle crises who hid under their desks, but by the time the 80's rolled around we had no such illusions. I grew up in the days of Testament and The Day After. I had the same recurring dream about nuclear war. I can feel that feeling I had in the dream sitting here 20 years later. It's just horrifying, although that isn't sufficient to describe it.

I wish Americans could look at what growing up under republican presidents does to children, how frightening it is. And just like Reagan got credit for Gorbachev's ending of the cold war, I have a feeling Bush will get credit for whatever good comes out of the atrocious mess he has made in the middle east. I am so sorry your son had to go through this, and glad he had a parent with-it enough to comfort him.

[seabeyond]

6. some bush somebody is going to sons 1st grade class

tomorrow. i hear it today. asked if he was going to be brave enough adn say he supports kerry. not allowed he says. have to be nice and say only nice things. once again, make sure all who oppose keep mouth shut

[ExclamationPoint]

11. If I was him

I'd walk right up to the Bush man and say he's evil, even if it meant expulsion. I wore a kerry sticker to my school for everyone to see.

Tell the principal that this is unacceptable and you are going against his right to have freedom of speech.

[seabeyond]

15. i just found out about it this afternoon

this is a public school, we were in a private christian school til the end of november. we loved the school, but since last spring the bush lovers, and the lies, and the preaching on pulpit that kerry was a murder and bush sent by god drove us out of the school. i told them, my kids have to be able to express self and it has to be ok. the revision in such recent history didnt belong in an academic institution. so we step into a public school so we exactly dont have to experience this and here we are.

i had a kerry sticker on my car too. the kids became ostracized and started being treated as if they werent christians either. they never backed down though. i was proud of them. always gave to them whether they wanted to keep mouth shut to not endure, or me not put kerry sign on so people wouldnt know.

i am proud of you. i say our youth is the ones that have to be aware because they are going to have to fix this mess.

thanks for your post

[charlie]

8. Bush made nighty-night at his usual time

on 911. I'm sure he slept like a princess last night.

[ExclamationPoint]

9. Have your kid read Democratic Underground

It will make him more informed and smarter without the graphics and the nightmares. I wonder if we could get a touch of empathy from bush if we brought a crying child up to his big old president chair and have the kid say he's crying because of what he's done.

(Edit: Would only have a 0.000000000000000001 % chance of working, and only if the kids white)


Poor kid, no one should have such a horrific nightmare, especially when they're only eight. Unfortunately, children in Iraq experience this nightmare for real everyday.

[Kber]

18. You make a good point

As disturbed as he was (and me too), both the first family and my family both certainly slept better that the average Faluja family.

[smurfygirl]

10. according to barb they sleep fine

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jhain]

13. and you have how many offspring serving?

Three or four of your kids are in Baghdad tonight, right?

[Gay Ranger]

17. My Daughter was wounded...

has some nerve damage to her left arm. She was an MP. Thankfully she is home now.

[jhain]

20. happy to have her back

I am so glad she is home.
I hope her injuries will heal.

Please tell her we DO appreciate her service and sacrifice.

Love, Another parent of a vet

[prolesunited]

14. Are you willing to sacrifice your child for Bush?

You just might have that chance. When his dream turns to reality and comes home in a body bag, I hope you remember that it's the price we pay for freedom.

BTW, if you care to debate in a proper manner, learn how to spell.

[earth mom]

19. Shrubya Family=No Conscience=Slept Very Well. n/t