Expert Advice
Dr Amanda Gummer Says...
Dr. Amanda Gummer has dedicated her life to working with children and families in a variety of settings since 1993. As well as running a family support charity in London and teaching children...
What does the Jubilee mean to your family?
No matter whether you’re an ardent royalist or a fervent republican, you can’t help getting swept up in the party atmosphere that’s over taking the country, largely due to the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.
But how do kids see these events? Obviously it’s great to have an excuse for a street party, or an extra day off school, but can this summer of fun help them develop a deeper understanding of who they are and what they believe?
When talking to your children, it’s natural that your opinions will be a factor in how you present the celebrations to your children, and it’s great for them to learn why you believe what you do.
For sporty types and royalists, it’s easy to get swept along in the media hype and overlook other events that children may be involved in, or interests that they’d like to explore.
For republicans and non-sporty families, dismissing the whole thing can deny children the chance to explore things such as their cultural identity and heritage in a meaningful way.
As with all aspects of belief and opinions, it’s wise to let children know what you think, why you think it, but acknowledge other view points and then let them make up their own minds.
I’m inclined to make this summer about creating memories that will last and provide a bond for discussions as children grow up – ‘What did you do during the Queen’s Jubilee/Olympics?’ Is likely to be a question asked by friends, peers and later children and grandchildren. I for one, would like my children to be able to look back fondly on this summer and have some great stories to tell.
How will you be celebrating and explaining the Queen's Jubilee with your children?
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