Mass shootings and school violence take a toll on all of us. But, imagine being a kid and having to process the idea they could be a target, just by heading to school. There are resources available to help you talk to your kids.
School violence is not new. The 1996 shooting at Frontier Jr. High in Moses Lake woke up a lot of people in Eastern Washington to the fact it really can happen here. But, with shootings happening more often, it's more likely your kids will be talking about the violence and could have some very real fears.
We asked parents on Facebook Friday how they handle these shootings when it comes to their kids. Some suggest arming faculty and staff, which Spokane Schools plan to do with school resource officers. Others suggest educating their kids at home to avoid the threat altogether. No matter what, you have to expect your kids will ask. What you tell them depends on how old they are and what you think they can handle.
If your kids are very young, shield them from the coverage. While you may think of this as a 'teaching moment', very young children do not need to see the violent images. If they do find out about it, ask questions. Find out what they know and what they think about it. Dismissing their feelings by saying, "It's okay, don't worry about it" may cause them to withdraw and be even more afraid.
If they're old enough, talk to them about the worst-case scenario. What would they do, how would you get in touch with each other afterwards, etc. Having a plan ahead of time can help them feel less afraid.
Finally, keep an eye on them. If a child or teen is withdrawn or scared at first, that's perfectly normal. If that lasts for more than a month, they may need to get professional help.
It's also important to reinforce that they should come to you if they hear about a threat, no matter how minor it might seem. Let them know they can trust you and that their fears are normal.
The best advice we heard from our Facebook friends today? Clint Williamson said, "Live your life. Hug your kids, tell them you love them. And, make every day mean something."
For more information and resources for parents, check out this article from the National Association of School Psychologists.
And, you can share your thoughts with me on Facebook, just search Melissa Luck KXLY.