Dr. Sherwood discusses school violence, and you should encourage
your child to talk about what happened after a school shooting
Read the full transcript » Host: Should I share my own thoughts
and feelings about a school shooting? Dr. Hayley Sherwood:
Parents need to talk honestly about their own feelings regarding
a school shooting, in order to help their child recognize that
they are not dealing with their fears and other emotions alone.
Children want and need explanation from the important adults in
their life. When talking to your child, it is important to
strive for a balance between helping a child feel safe and
acknowledging that there is violence and danger in the world.
With a younger child you might begin a discussion by saying, I
am very sad for all of those people and their families and ask
your child what do you think about it? Explain, that it is
important not to let what happened scare us so much, that we do
not have fun and enjoy our life. An adolescent may or may not
want to talk about the eve