Many kids have been exposed to the video of this shooting since it was posted online and on social media. FOX News contacted us to discuss how to address this with kids if they happened to see it, as well as how to talk with kids who seem immune to the violence or don't seem bothered by it.
Here are some ideas:
If parents suspect that their
children have seen the video, they can gently ask the children if they
saw it and how it made them feel.
Parents should acknowledge those
feelings (perhaps it's fear, anxiety, sadness, etc.) and share their own
feelings about the incident.
Empathizing with children's feelings and
parents sharing their own feelings helps children feel understood in a
moment that can be experienced as extremely emotionally confusing and
overwhelming.
Parents should reassure their
children that they are safe and the person who did this can't hurt them, and also encourage them to talk about anything that worries them.
For
children who may have seen the video but don't have a reaction and the
parents are concerned, they can leave the door open for discussion.
Parents can say to their children that they know they saw the video and
that it might feel pretty weird, scary, uncomfortable or sad, reassure
them they are safe, and let them know they are available to talk about
it whenever the children want.
The most important things are to acknowledge and share feelings, provide reassurance, and keep the door to discussion open.
You can always contact us if you would like more information about how to talk
with your children about these kinds of incidents or if you are
concerned about your child's response and would like to get the child and/or yourself some support.
