Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe this type of article needs to be posted… again. Disbelief is the only word that applies to this most recent school shooting.
Churches, schools, movie theaters, sporting events all places where tragedy have occurred. Nothing is sacred. Evil touches everything. It loves to smear darkness over goodness.
Here are six recommendations parents can implement following a tragedy.
1. Turn off the television. It adds to the anxiety
2. Be calm and be present with your children. If your child is involved in sports or any other type of public event, their world may be shaken. They are looking to mom and dad to provide the security that has just been rocked. It is appropriate and good for your kids to see you are saddened by this but avoid showing BIG emotion.
3. Don’t feed the child’s fear, try to quell it. Maintain your normal routine but be sensitive. If your child is afraid make reasonable accommodations.
4. Be honest about the event but be wise in how much you share. You are the parent. You know your child best. Take his age and personality into consideration. Listen to his questions and answer what has been asked, avoid giving lots of detail. Listening is more important than talking.
5. If you can move your child to the place of helping others, he will be less likely to fearfully focus on his own situation.
6. Pray with your child. Take your concerns to the Lord.
Hang with your kids and hug your kids. They need your time and your affection. Mr. Rogers used to say, following a horrific event, look for the helpers. Focus on the good, compassion, and care that God’s people demonstrate in the midst of disaster.
Just between us parents, the awful truth is we can’t always keep our kids physically safe so we must make sure they are ready…spiritually ready. Invite Jesus into your home today.
For God so loved the world…
Florida, we are praying for you.
Shalom,
Lori
Lori Wildenberg
www.loriwildenberg.com
co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting with Becky Danielson
Wife to Tom, mom to 4 (plus one daughter in love)
Author of Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home
co-author of Raising Little Kids with BIG Love, Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love, Empowered Parents: Putting Faith First (Wildenberg & Danielson)