The Children’s Room sends its thoughts and deepest sympathies to the community of Newtown, Connecticut, and all of the families affected.
Those of us who may not have a personal connection to the victims of this school shooting may still find ourselves overcome with feelings of sadness, despair, and fear. It is natural for events such as these to trigger feelings of grief, especially if you have also been impacted by the early death of a loved one or have had someone close to you die through violence.
As this tragic story circulates through the media, you may encounter a variety of questions and feelings from the children and teens in your life. If you’re wondering how to talk with your kids about the shooting, you may find it helpful to listen to the this WBUR – Radio Boston recording on “How to Talk to Kids about Extreme Violence.” Deborah Rivlin, TCR’s Director of Education & Training, participated on Monday’s expert panel to discuss how families and schools can cope with the trauma, pain, and questions raised by acts of extreme violence.
You can also find an extensive list of resources on the website for the National Alliance for Grieving Children.
We know that the heartbreaking events of December 14th have changed these families’ lives forever, and our thoughts will remain with all who have been impacted by this tragedy.
