For people of my generation, 9/11 is akin to V-E Day, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, or the Challenger explosion in that it’s a day that anyone who was around will always remember exactly where they were and what they were doing.
Personally, I had just started a career in news and was near enough to a TV to have seen the second plane hit. The rest of that day is something of a blur, but I will always remember two things: first, that it was one of the brightest, clearest days I could remember, and second, the silence. I had lived under the landing path of a major airport my whole life, so the sound of planes in the air was second nature. When it was gone, it was very shocking and eerie to hear nothing in the air as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.
I’d like to say I succeeded, but even to this day, 9/11 is something that I have trouble fathoming. To be upfront, I’m not an American and I didn’t know anyone who was a casualty of the attacks, but it impacted my life in a big way nonetheless. I felt the sadness, the helplessness, the horror, and the enormity of the attacks. This was compounded as my brother went on to serve two tours of duty in Afghanistan, which he thankfully came back from.
Today, 9/11 has started its journey to becoming something that’s mainly taught about in schools and history books. My kids will never know what it was like to watch the towers fall, to hear the silence, and to watch as the world shifted in ways that we still haven’t recovered from. It makes me wonder what their 9/11 will be as they grow up.
Twenty-five years later, I look out at the world we live in, and it is easy to see the tangential and direct ways that 9/11 still affects us. It was the starting point on the path we now find ourselves very perilously standing on. Like World War II, I don’t know if it’s something we will ever fully recover from, given how much it’s ingrained in society today.
How to Talk to Kids About 9/11
As a parent now, I spend a lot of time thinking about how best to talk to my kids about 9/11 and events like it. According to University of Missouri communications professor Haley Horstman, a good way to go is proactively introducing the subject rather than waiting for kids to ask. Bringing up the topic early tells kids that discussing difficult subjects is welcomed and safe, ensuring they do not absorb unsettling rumors or misinterpret facts from outside sources.
Looking specifically at 9/11, it’s a good idea to keep answers brief, honest, and strictly age-appropriate. Focus on individual stories of real people—such as specific survivors or first responders—rather than broad generalizations. Ultimately, talking to your kids about what you experienced on 9/11 should center on fostering emotional security, understanding memory, and highlighting community support. Reassuring children of their present-day safety can help them not dwell on fear.
Take Notes from How Children’s Media Handled 9/11
In the aftermath of the attacks, children’s television programs quickly adapted their programming to help young viewers process trauma, grief, and fear. Shows like Sesame Street created dedicated episodes about loss and community helpers. Networks like Nickelodeon and PBS suspended regular broadcasts or aired special news segments designed specifically to explain the tragedy in an age-appropriate, reassuring tone.
These media responses highlighted the vital importance of meeting children at their level when discussing crises. Rather than overwhelming young minds with graphic details or adult anxieties, programming focused on simple explanations, open communication, and the presence of safe adult figures. By centering stories on empathy and problem-solving, these shows demonstrated how to acknowledge frightening realities without causing additional panic.
Modern parents can draw valuable lessons from these historic broadcasts when guiding their own children through scary news events. Parents should strive to create a safe space for open dialogue, answering questions honestly while carefully filtering out graphic imagery or overly intense media coverage. Emphasizing the role of community helpers, validating emotional responses, and maintaining regular routines can ultimately help children build resilience during uncertain times.
The Future Is Always Uncertain
Will we ever see another event like 9/11? Who can say. The way the world is heading these days, nothing surprises me anymore, and all I can do is hope that we as a society can work together to protect those who are most vulnerable. What I do know is this: I will never forget that day. I will never stop feeling empathy for those who lost loved ones. I will never stop feeling that pit in my stomach when I see footage or hear stories from that day. I will never forget the sky, the pain, or the silence.
