This place of remembrance for the worst tragedy to happen on American soil is truly astounding. When you walk through the doors, you can almost instantly feel the impact of this event on not only Americans but on people from all across the globe. From its confusing design that makes you feel the sense of uncertainty felt by all on September 11th, to the pieces of both buildings that the curators managed to salvage, this museum easily elicits tears.

Being only 3-years-old when this heinous event occurred, I could not feel the sense of shock and anger that my parents felt on that day, but this museum made me feel more connected to this event and its victims than I ever have before. There was one thing that would have made this experience even better, however: the absence of children.

Hear me out. This place is meant to be not only a tribute to those who died, but a place of remembrance for friends and families of the victims, a place where they can hear the voices of their loved ones in their last moments again and honor the sacrifice many of them made.

But, when a child is yelling and behaving inappropriately, as children often do, it makes sitting in silence and honoring the dead nearly impossible.

Even I, who was lucky enough not to know any of the victims, felt irritated by a pair of yelling 6-year-olds and angered that their parents were not doing more to control them.

I think that every child ought to learn about this event since it is so deeply ingrained into our American history, but if they are not mature enough to feel its impact, please wait on bringing them to this memorial site. Try, instead, sitting at home and watching one of the countless documentaries covering this event and take time to explain why and how this happened and what it meant for the future of our country.

I wholeheartedly believe that your child will get so much more out of learning about this tragedy in the comfort of their own home, with active mediation from their parents, instead of in a museum surrounded by those who have come to pay their respects.

The age of 10 is merely a suggestion. If you believe your child is mature enough to experience this museum with proper conduct, then, by all means, bring them. But if your child is going to loudly ask, "why are they jumping?" then please do everyone a favor and leave them at home.

This museum is truly amazing and I think everyone should see it someday, but only when individuals are ready. After walking through this museum and learning more about not only the events of the day but the brave victims and survivors who faced an unimaginable circumstance, I have never felt more proud to be an American and to live in a country that was able to bounce back and be even stronger. Someday, I hope every child can feel the same way that I, and many others, feel after attending this museum. But parents: please be sure to take them when the time is right.