 Offered list of tips will help parents talk to their children about what happened and look out for future symptoms of distress.
 Listen to your child. Allow him or her to express their concerns and fears.
You have to remember that the most important issue is to reassure your teen of safety and security. Tell your son or daughter that you, their school, their friends and their communities are all concentrated on their safety and that those around them are working for their safety. Talk about those dedicated to protecting them such as police, teachers and other school officials, neighbors and all concerned adults throughout the community.
When talking about events with younger children, limit the amount of information to some basic facts that is shared with them. Use words significant to them (not words like sniper, etc.). Do not go into particular details.
Children of school age will ask: “Can this happen here, or to me?” Do not lie to children. Repeat how the community is concentrated on working to keep everyone safe in the community.
Parents, teachers and caregivers should be cautious of allowing teens to watch news or listen to radio that is discussing or showing the situation. It is very hard for most of them to process. Individual discussions are the best method to share information with teenagers. Also, plan to discuss this many times over the coming weeks.
When talking about the events with preteens and teens, more details are appropriate, and many will already have seen news broadcasts. Do not allow them concentrate too much on graphic details. Rather, pay attention to their feelings and concerns and focus your discussions on what they share with you. Be careful of how much media they are exposed to. Discuss with them the tragedy and answer their questions truthfully.
Do not forget to reassure your teens of their safety and your efforts to protect them. Regardless of age, kids must hear this.
Be on the lookout for physical symptoms of anxiety that children may demonstrate. They may be a symptom that a child is very troubled by the recent events. Talk more with child who display these symptoms:
- headaches
- excessive worry
- stomach aches
- increased arguing
- back aches
- irritability
- trouble eating and sleeping
- loss concentration
- nightmares
- withdrawal
- clinging behavior
- refusal to go to school
Parents should often reassure children that they will be protected and kept safe. During tragedies like these, words expressing safety and reassurance with concrete plans should be discussed and agreed upon within the family to provide the most comfort to children and teens.
If you are concerned about your children and their reaction to this or any tragedy, talk directly with their school counselor, family doctor, and local mental health professional.
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