I’ve spent much of today, as I’m sure some of you have, heartbroken by the news of the school shooting in CT. I am reminded that young children who have no concept of how “far away” another place is and, consequently, may personalize this type of news. When these things happen, please turn off your TV’s, monitor the radio, and insulate your children, if you can. They don’t need to hear or know this news. Yet, media is so pervasive, they will probably come home from school asking questions. They’ll have heard and they will want to understand and have their fears addressed.
For those of you who have children, here are some tips on how to help your children deal with news as horrific as what happened in Newtown, CT, today.
Fred (Mr.) Rogers says the most important thing children need to know is:
1. They can talk about anything with you.
2. We will do everything to keep them safe.
Also,
3. Share your own feelings. Encourage your kids to share how they feel.
4. Listen.
5. Keep it truthful but appropriate for the child’s age.
LOOK FOR THE HELPERS
Rogers also says, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.“
TURN OFF THE TV
Try not to obsess about the news. Limit how much television or internet news your kids are exposed to.
DRAW OR WRITE
I’ve found that kids can express themselves non-verbally more easily than verbally. Help your children write or draw about their feelings. Make cards for the families or the injured. Write prayers to God. Draw pictures of how you feel.
An article came out today, on About.com, titled Coping with a Tragedy, that has some very good advice about dealing with this kind of situation.
Hug them. Love them. And pray for the parents and loved ones of those who are lost.