Jessica Chenoweth 
Today in Texas, 19 children won’t be going home to their parents because they were shot in their classroom, a place they thought would be safe. The coverage on this horrendous story is likely to be everywhere and, as hard as you try to shield your child from it, they will most likely hear the news.
So how do you talk to your kids about stories like this? What do you tell them to feel safe going to school tomorrow?
This might seem like an impossible task but there are many resources out there to help.
Common Sense Media’s How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings
This great guide breaks it down my age, because you wouldn’t talk to your teenager about this the same way you talk to your preschooler.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-school-shootings
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Talking To Children About the Shooting
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network was created in 2000 to help elevate the care for children that witness or experience a traumatic event. This quick guide is perfect to help get the conversation going with your child.
https://www.nctsn.org/resources/talking-children-about-shooting
American Psychological Association – Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
Your child is likely to be stressed out in the days following this event. This guide is a great way to help them through this difficult time and with some wonderful tips that frankly can help some of us adults as well.
https://www.apa.org/topics/gun-violence-crime/shooting-aftermath
Child Mind Institute – Anxiety Over School Shootings
This is a good read for parents for not only helping your child’s anxiety, but also yours.
