I often play out these types of questions in my head so I can be better prepared when the question actually arrives. I love how inquisitive kids are in general and so for the most part I welcome the questions but there are some (at varying levels of difficulty, seriousness, and potential awkwardness) that make me nervous:

“Daddy, what does it mean when someone is dead?”

“Daddy, you’re not going to leave me alone are you?”

“Daddy, what are these dots on my chest?”

“Daddy, how come Thomas Brady has a pony tail?”

“Daddy, what’s a Republican?”

and so on…

So in light of the recent news, I was thinking about how I would answer the title question because it wouldn’t shock me if my girls hear Osama Bin Laden’s name at some point in the near future.  May 1st, 2011 is the date that Osama Bin Laden was confirmed dead.  Interestingly enough, May 1st, 1945 was the date that Adolf Hitler was confirmed dead.  There you have 2 people I truly hope I don’t have to talk about with my kids any time soon.

I know we all have our collection of “where were you on the day…” memories.  The first for me was the day the Challenger exploded.  I hope Bin Laden’s death is not their first.  His death is a tremendous triumph and something that we, unfortunately, should be very happy about.  That would make the explanation to my kids that much harder.  “Why is everyone so happy that someone is gone?”

So we’ll see what happens and I’ll have to figure something out if I’m asked.

“Well girls, Osama Bin Laden is going to be in time-out for a LONG time.”