The news of another school shooting is disturbing for everyone, but it can be especially hard for children.
KGET will have noted clinical psychologist Dr. Corey Gonzales on 17News@5 tonight, but the doctor offered a few suggestions parents can use immediately.
The innocence of our children is sacred. The safety and security a child feels in their formative years can be the foundation of their future mental health.
Let's treat their safety and security with a steady and caring hand.
KGET will have noted clinical psychologist Dr. Corey Gonzales on 17News@5 tonight, but the doctor offered a few suggestions parents can use immediately.
- Manage what children are exposed to in news, Internet, social media etc.
- When talking to them about tragedy, attempt to start with what they know first and go from there). Use age-appropriate language.
- Get your own feelings in order first. Talk with spouse, peers, therapist etc., realizing that the worst loss we can have is losing a child. We don't want to displace too much of our own anxiety/feelings on to children.
- Address and re-assure their safety needs — what this brings up for them and how you are attending to their safety.
- Develop a safety response plan (i.e. who to contact, what to do and say for security issues)
- Give them lots of love and affection and encourage them to be kids.
- If you see symptoms persist (problems with sleep, appetite, worrying, concentration, bed wetting, change in behavior) for more than a couple of weeks, contact a qualified mental health professional.
The innocence of our children is sacred. The safety and security a child feels in their formative years can be the foundation of their future mental health.
Let's treat their safety and security with a steady and caring hand.