Parenting Skills

How to Support Your Child During Scary and Uncertain Times




  1. Acknowledge the Tragedy:
  2. Events like school shootings deeply affect children, even if they aren't directly involved.
  3. Parents should approach these topics with sensitivity, tailoring discussions to their child's age and emotional needs.

  4. Starting the Conversation:

  5. Admit your own feelings and let your child know it's okay to feel upset.
  6. Ask what they've heard and correct misconceptions.
  7. Use age-appropriate language to explain the event (e.g., "cSomething very sad and scary happened…").
  8. Reassure them they"9re safe and invite questions.

  9. Providing Comfort and Reassurance:

  10. Highlight school safety measures, such as locked doors and security protocols.
  11. Emphasize the care and dedication of teachers, staff, and administrators.
  12. Share how schools may be increasing safety in response to recent events.

  13. Building Resilience:

  14. Encourage open dialogue and availability for questions.
  15. Teach coping techniques like thought redirection and relaxing activities.
  16. Avoid distractions like video games or social media during processing time. Instead, focus on quality family time for comfort and healing.

  17. Limiting News Exposure:

  18. Continuous exposure to news can overwhelm kids. Turn it off to help them process at their own pace. \udcf4
  19. Reframe tragic events as part of life's story while fostering emotional strength to navigate future challenges.

Remember: During uncertain times, prioritize open communication, reassurance of safety, and intentional family time to help children process events and build emotional resilience.


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