What Makes Montessori Stand Out:
    1. The Whole Child Approach
    2. The Prepared Environment
    3. The Montessori Materials:
           Language / Math / Sensorial
           Practical Life / Penmanship


FAQ - frequently asked questions
Testimonials From Parents
Map - where we're located
School History
About Miss Ali

Parent Classes offered:
  Emotional Intelligence
  Spalding Reading Program
  Montessori Training
  Parenting


2005 - 2006 Calendar
Newsletters Online
Photo Gallery


Click here to email us
Phone: 801-796-7672

home page

What to Do in the Wake of This Tragedy
Gary and Joy Lundberg

Families all over the world are sitting in front of their televisions, watching the worst tragedy in their lifetime.  Repeatedly they see replays of the World Trade Center towers being hit with planes manned by terrorists, and see these buildings, filled with people, crumble to the ground.  They see the devastation on the Pentagon in Washington, DC and can hardly fathom that this is happening right here in America.  None of us can fathom it.

At this difficult time, there are some things you can do to help your children through this crisis.  Here are some suggestions to consider:

1. It's okay for your children to see what has happened, but don't let young children keep watching these tragic scenes over and over.  Turn off the TV and turn to other activities.  Don't be tempted to keep watching while they are in the room, thinking they aren't paying attention.  It is too much for little minds to keep seeing and hearing.

2. Gather your family together and let them ask questions.  They need to be able to talk about this and know that you value their concerns and opinions.  Teenagers especially need to voice their thoughts about what's happening, and may need to view more of the events than young children, without going overboard. 

3. Your children need to know what you are thinking about this event.  Let them know that you, too, are deeply saddened.  Shed some tears together. Hug them . . . long tender hugs.  Let them see you as parents hugging each other and holding on to each other.  Then let them see you smile and go on.

4. Reassure them that people in our government are finding out who caused this horrible happening, and that they are working together with experts to make sure it doesn't happen again.  This is the time they need to have confidence in our government leaders.  Fly the American flag at your home to show support.

5. Follow the counsel of a little five-year-old boy who saw the devastation and then said to his mother, "Don't you think we should kneel down right now and pray for these people who got hurt?"  Pray together as a family right now if you haven't already, and each morning and night, asking for help for those who are suffering and for President Bush and those who work with him.  Ask that each of you in your family will be protected and kept out of harm's way.  Your faith in the protecting
   power of a loving Father in Heaven can bring great peace to your family.

6. Decide what else you can do as a family.  Many things are being suggested and will be in the future.  Adults can donate blood, money can be donated to humanitarian funds to help those in need, letters of consolation can be written or pictures drawn and sent to any you may know who have been personally affected.  Ask your children for ideas.  Giving help relieves feelings of helplessness and promotes a feeling of power in being able to do something about the sorrow.

7. Talk about the good that so many millions of people are doing.  It feels good to belong to a nation of people who show kindness and pull together for the greater good.

8. Put aside ill feelings and contention in your family, and unite.  Then go about life normally.  Have meals together, keep up your routine, or start a routine that will give feelings of normalcy.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Gary and Joy Lundberg, authors of the new book "Married for Better, Not Worse" and the best-selling book on improving relationships, "I Don't Have to Make Everything All Better," are regular contributors to this family relations column. Gary is a marriage and family therapist in Provo, UT. They have five children and eleven grandchildren.  http://www.allbetter.net