Holocaust muesum?

[flying_babyb]

Anyone ever been to the one in Washigtion DC? My best freinds mom went to it years ago and couldnt make it through. I am considering going to the meseum this time with my 10 yo DSIS and my sensitive 9 yo Dsis. Im just wondering what others think of the meseum

 

[laurie31]

I would not suggest it for children that young. It is very intense. VERY intense.

I don't know if they still do this, but when we went, we were each given the name of a real person who was a prisoner in a concentration camp. At the end, you find out if "your" person lived or died. It really brought home the impact of what happened, which is what the intent of the museum is - to make people remember that real everyday people, just like us, were tortured and starved to death. I think it is an excellent museum, but it's not for children, IMHO. Even sensitive teens should probably not go. Even their website says it is not recommended for children less than 11 years old.

There will be time when your sisters are older for them to come face to face with man's inhumanity to man in such a personal intense way. Also, there is so much else to see in DC that IS interesting and fun for kids.

If you have enough time before you travel, you can write your congressman and get tickets to tour the white house (go to whitehouse.gov for details).

 

[flying_babyb]

I cant take mom to the white house. She has stong oppinions and a HUGE mouth. Thanks for the heads up. I think Ill leave the kids at the hotel with Tia and take mom to the Holocaust muesum.

 

[postage stamp]

I remember going when I was 13 or 14. It was VERY intense. IF it can make 8th grade boys break down and cry in front of their classmates, I would wait on it for your little ones.

But ABSOLUTELY something they should experience when they are ready to.

 

[flying_babyb]

The 11 year old is learning about the holocaust in school so she would be fine but I wont let them go cause I know how my younger dsis would react, heck im not even sure im going.

 

[JohnsPrincess]

I haven't been as an adult but I remember going when I was probably 9 or 10. I remember it being Very powerful and emotional and I greatly "enjoyed" it. (Not ENJOYED...but...well...I can't think of the right word...). It gave me a deeper understanding and I went away with that forever ingrained. It's on my list for the next time I'm up in D.C.

 

[ford family]

We went about five years ago when our youngest dd was 16. Very impressive museum which shakes any complacency you may have as to how quickly civilisation can descend into darkness.
I've always said that you could make money standing by the exit selling house bricks wrapped in directions to the German embassy!

ford family

 

[wdwmom2]

I went back in July. It is quite intense, not sure if I would take anyone who is very sensitive or young. Not sure the right age I would take someone, depends on their emotional maturity and how they would be able to handle something as horrific as the holocost. They do have an exhibit called Daniel's Story, right across where you get your tickets. The story is told by Daniel, a child, and it is told in a child's perspective. Still quite heart wrenching. Because once Daniel and his father are split from his mom and sister, he never sees them again.

 

[Cindy B]

I took my kids when they were in 4th and 6th grade. They understood how important and sacred it is and they did well. We first did Daniel's story and kept on from there. We did the entire musuem and spent about 4 hours there. My kids start learning about the Holocaust in Kindergarten here (using age appropriate materials) and we watched the movie Paperclips before the visit. We didn't spend a lot of time on grisly things but basically just looked at everything.

We took breaks inside though. There was a section right near the gas chamber door where you sit in a quiet bench area and read and look at diaries. My youngest and I sat and read the diaries when DH and DS looked furhter at the gas chamber door.

We also spent time at the reflecting area. And yes all of us got an ID card. My son "survived", I "died", DH "died" and DD "survived".

There was many questions but I am glad I did it.

 

[wdwmom2]

Another thought. I you decide against the Holocost museum, how about visiting Mount Vernon, George Washington's home? Alot to see there. It is a nice drive from DC down the George Washington Parkway. Not very far at all. Can't remember the exact distance from DC, 30 minutes give or take.

DH and I took a motorcycle mini-vacation in July. We hit the Holocost museum day 1, Mount Vernon day 2, and Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home) day 3. We enjoyed all of them. The first evening we ate in Old Town Alexandria, on King Street. Many nice restaurants there and a beautiful place just to walk around. It was quite a historical weekend for us!!!

 

[The Princess]

We went to DC this past summer for vacation and had a wonderful time. One of our "stops" was to see this museum, I must say it was very moving. My DD's are older though 17 and 14 and it was one thing they wanted to see.

The room with all the shoes....wow.

 

[mjkacmom]

I brought my older kids when they were 10 and 12 - dd was reading Diary of Anne Frank that year. I don't shield my kids from these things - I plan to have them watch Shindlers List soon.

 

[wdwmom2]

The room with all the shoes....wow.

Yep, DH went to point at one that was patched on the sole, stuck his arm across the handrail to point, and set the alarm off!!!!!! Nobody came running though!

 

[MsLeFever]

If you are looking for other things to do in DC I highly recommend Ford's Theatre. While it is still a working theatre you can see the box Lincoln was sitting in and there is a museum in the basement.

 

[flying_babyb]

Only one of the kids in instrested in the ford theater but since its down on the way to the hard rock were going to go. As far as mount vernon I went last time and It was hot and I was bored but I might take the kids. Im working on planning history (aka some learning) along with some fun.

 

[Patricia]

I took my son, 13, to DC in August with specific plans to visit the Holocaust museum before he began intense studies of the Holocaust. He very much "enjoyed" the experience and the amount he learned there was astounding. I would highly recommend a visit. Also did Ford's theater which was great. So interesting to see the actual coat Lincoln wore, the gun used, and many other artifacts which are there. Great experience as well.