The dilemma of your children and their exposure to the holocaust

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Stubble
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The dilemma of your children and their exposure to the holocaust

Post by Stubble »

In the not so distant future, I will be having to tackle the subject of 'The Holocaust' with my children. I am not looking forward to this conundrum. I will already have to lie to them about things like a fat man in a red suit that brings them presents, a lamb that was a man who was crucified and reborn and how that in some way connects to a bunny, that there is a fairy that trades teeth for money etc.

There are so many lies that I will have to inculcate into my children so that they will be normally socially adjusted. The lies all parents for some reason agree that they must tell their children.

This brings us to the holocaust. My children will be shown images of Nordhausen and the shower rooms at majdanek and told these are proof of 'The Holocaust'.

How do I handle this? How do I broach the dishonesty of it with my children? Will it make them social targets and ostocise them?

It is a complex issue and I'd appreciate some advice. We have time (it will be years from now) so don't rush to reply, but, I would certainly like some advice.
If I were to guess why no t4 personnel were chosen to perform gassing that had experience with gassing, it would be because THERE WERE NONE.
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Nazgul
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Re: The dilemma of your children and their exposure to the holocaust

Post by Nazgul »

Stubble wrote: Wed Oct 01, 2025 4:07 pm In the not so distant future, I will be having to tackle the subject of 'The Holocaust' with my children. I am not looking forward to this conundrum. I will already have to lie to them about things like a fat man in a red suit that brings them presents, a lamb that was a man who was crucified and reborn and how that in some way connects to a bunny, that there is a fairy that trades teeth for money etc.

There are so many lies that I will have to inculcate into my children so that they will be normally socially adjusted. The lies all parents for some reason agree that they must tell their children.

This brings us to the holocaust. My children will be shown images of Nordhausen and the shower rooms at majdanek and told these are proof of 'The Holocaust'.

How do I handle this? How do I broach the dishonesty of it with my children? Will it make them social targets and ostocise them?

It is a complex issue and I'd appreciate some advice. We have time (it will be years from now) so don't rush to reply, but, I would certainly like some advice.
I found out about Saint Nichlaus my own way. They will hear about the alleged holocaust and perhaps ask you your opinion. Give it quietly. Most people do not care about the Holocaust, but they do care about current issues like Palestine and can see IsRaEl for what it is. Helping your children navigate current issues, yet to arrive, foster their critical thinking skills and education will resolve most of the issues. They are their own people and will have to reach their own conclusions as you and I have done.
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Stubble
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Re: The dilemma of your children and their exposure to the holocaust

Post by Stubble »

So, exposure to sources and fostering 'how to think' not 'what to think'.

This seems like a very reasonable approach and I believe this is the path I will take with them. Thank you Mr Wraith.
If I were to guess why no t4 personnel were chosen to perform gassing that had experience with gassing, it would be because THERE WERE NONE.
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pilgrimofdark
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Re: The dilemma of your children and their exposure to the holocaust

Post by pilgrimofdark »

Review whatever material is in their history textbooks. You might be able to request any additional materials the teacher would use for the unit on the Holocaust.

Oppose any images of piles of dead bodies being shown to children. Those images are shown in the USA to children as young as third grade, which obviously leaves an impression.

By contrast, Santa Claus is a harmless cultural myth. Teachers don't show kids piles of starved, diseased, dead reindeer.

Thomas Fallace's book The Emergence of Holocaust Education in American Schools is recommended reading. There's been a decades-long debate about whether the Holocaust is an unknowable mystery and religious event, or a historical event.

If the Holocaust is being taught in a state where Holocaust education is mandated by law, that might be a benefit: the teacher may have no real interest in the subject and get through it as apathetically as other periods of American history.

Depending on what the kids learn about it (from the materials the teacher provided you because you requested them), you can always help them learn to check certain claims.

Unfortunately, the info they get will likely be extremely vague and based on witness statements and emotion, so impossible to check.

But they'll probably have to interact with some material easier to challenge. Anne Frank's diary, Elie Wiesel, Schindler's List, etc.

Long before the Holocaust comes up, you might want to help them dispel some myths about American history. So they're already on guard that teachers aren't 100% accurate and history is more complicated and messy.

If all else fails, John Sack's An Eye for an Eye: The Story of Jews Who Sought Revenge for the Holocaust may help balance the scales.
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