:confused: I have only sent pictures to my brother the whole time he has be locked up. Pictures can only show u so much about someone. I dont know if I should take my kids to go see him. I am more worried about what it will do to my kids than it will do to him, does any one have any advice.

How old are your children? It's not that bad really. When you go in you see others with their families. It's not scary for my kids. We see alot of the same people, you don't see "inmates" you see families together. I have never felt unsafe or worried for my children. If you don't make it a "big deal" then the kids don't, it's just another aspect of this life.

I agree w/quinn I take my Grand kids to see there uncle (my son) they enjoy seeing there uncle and have a great time! They asked why he's there and I have been up front from the start of the whole mess and my g/kids are 11,12,13 yrs old but they started going with me 2 yrs ago and they look forward to going and seeing there uncle and shareing what they have been doing with him! It's really safe and u should take them.

I agree...
I dont think its bad at all. You see families.. not inmates.
If you handle it correctly and dont make a fuss over it..then the kids will be fine.
My brother is locked up and i wish I could take my kids to see him..I would in a NY minute. They are very close to him and dont quite understand why he isnt around anymore. Thomas is in Elmore Cf in Alabama and the only kids permitted there are inmates children..neices and nephews are not permitted. I wish they were. It would help Thomas to see his nephews and i know it would help my boys and mean alot to them.
You really should consider taking them...your call...but is not bad at all.
Just my 2 cents worth

Dixee

My two children are 2 and 7 months old now. I just worry that they will be dramatized by the whole surroundings they will see. I know I should look at is as being with family and a lot of people take there little ones to see the other inmates in the prison he his in, Huntsville,Tx-Estelle high security unit. Maybe I am being to protective to my babies about the outside world but I will take in thought about what all of u have said. I appreciatte the replys. I just got back from seeing him the 26th and there was some little ones in there,maybe I dont want them to see someone in my family, there uncle they have never met, in a place like that. I dont know.........

I have taken my kids with me and they are 5,6, 13. I was scared for them, but I also try at the same time teach reality, and prison and jail is reality.
My brother is in county jail, and we are not close, but my kids go with me when I go to visit, and they are at the point now that they walk through the metal detectors as if they were at Wal Mart. They are open about how they feel and ask alot of questions, but they enjoy the visits.

I agree with Jimbo's Lady. I took my sisters with me to the county jail to teach them about the real world. I didn't want them thinking that all inmates are bad people. I wanted them to understand that most inmates really are good people who have just made mistakes. And if that weren't enough, statistics show that people who commit crimes do so because they were not completely aware of the consequences, and I feel that taking them to the jail makes them VERY aware of the consequences their decisions may yield. Really though, you know your children best!

cmon, you are being a bit selfish here. Take them to see him.

Kids can be so healing...one of the things my sweeite misses is kids smiling...he misses watchinmg his nephews and nieces growing up... Kids are so resilent, aand non judgmental... Your brother is human first, and an uncle...give him that...allow him to be an uncle. Dont let the system take that from him.One day (I hope not) they may have a firend who is incarcerated and because they understand the inmates are people may be able to offer support.

I think it would be okay. Our visitation room is more like a school lunch room. There are fmailies everywhere. It isnt as if the guards stand around with rifles. It is very calm there. The only thing in the barbed wire and the fencing but I am sure your chidlren as young as they are wouldnt even notice that. I think it woudl be great for your brother and the kids will probably not be tramatized at all I just dont see how. Nick refused ot let me bring any children he didnt want them to see him that way. Love ya angie

I don't know about your visit room but ours is not scary at all! After I visited on my own, I felt totally comfortable bringing my kids. My kids are 12 and 13 but I would feel fine taking them at any age really....