Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is always a big deal for me.  I have also attended or participated in some sort of Remembrance Day service, even if has only been watching the recorded Ottawa ceremony since Remembrance Day is not a holiday in Ontario and I've had to be at work when it is on.

This year, I think E is understanding a lot more about what Remembrance Day is about.  It helps he goes to public school now where they talk about poppies, and will have their own ceremony.  My mom sent us two little books too, which will also contribute to his overall understanding of why we observe this day.

A Poppy is to Remember - this one has a simple story that is age appropriate for little kids.  It doesn't sugarcoat the war, but it isn't too harsh.  It's a good place to start.

In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae - there is a lot of text in this but, the poem is printed out and accompanied with  some beautiful illustrations.  E doesn't have all of the attention span to learn the entire history, but I enjoyed it. 

It can humbling when you are trying to explain new concepts to a child.  They ask "why" for things that you take for granted and have accepted for so many years.  When they ask "why", you have to think beyond "because we've always done it this way" and come up with some real answers.  Explaining tough topics like death and war is not easy, so these books can help to lead the discussion, a little at at time. 

Read my post from last year's Remembrance Day here.


  1. You are right to keep Remembrance Day important with E. I look forward to reading those books, especially the story about the poem, In Flander's Field. Thanks for the link to last year's blog. Well written. Good memories.

  2. We have these books, both are excellent. Hoping to get away from my desk to attend our service today.