STRONG CATHOLIC FAMILY FAITH
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Having Meaningful Conversations

When the World Seems Dark,  Scary, or Confusing

Children should be welcomed into a world of love. We want to keep them protected and innocent for as long as we can, but sometimes the world interrupts that innocence. The news is overwhelming today - natural disasters, political polarity/animosity, and stories of  horrific violence, or sexual harassment. 

We live in a world where it is difficult to filter what they are exposed to. What can we do?

​
Here are some tips to help us navigate families through these difficult times/topics. We've gathered advice from experienced parents, psychologists, physicians, and other professionals, that we hope helps parents and guardians have those difficult conversations.

​
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”  ~ ​Mr. Fred Rogers


  Talking to Kids and Teens about Tragedy, Violence, and PandemicS

NEW! Talking with Children about the Coronavirus
  • Parenting During COVID-19 (Psychology Today)
  • 10 Family Activities for When You Can’t Leave the House (For Every Mom)
  •  Do Re Mi  Covid-19 version Do Re Mi  from Sound of Music using lyrics  teaching  about Covid-19  (YouTube)

Talking with Children about Disaster:
​Tips for Talking to Kids about Scary News
 (Psychology Today)

I Doubt It: Making Space for Hard Questions 
(Fuller Youth Institute)

The Tragedy of School Shootings (Fuller Youth Institute)

Trauma and Grief: Resources and Tips to Help Children Cope with Trauma and Grief (Child Mind Institute)

What are Parents and Teachers to Do, Post-Trauma?
(Echo Parenting & Education)

​Living in a Broken World (Focus on the Family)

How to Talk About Shootings: An Age to Age Guide (Today.com)

From the National Education Association - Mass Shootings (Las Vegas) How to Talk to Children (NEA - National education Association) 

From the American Academy of Pediatrics: Talking to Children About Tragedy (including Signs a Child Might Not be Coping Well)
(Healthy Children)

How to Help Kids Cope with Tragedy (Homeword)

Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration)

From the National Association of School Psychologists - Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
(National Association of School Psychologists)
​
Strategies for Talking and Listening (PBS Parents)
​
Fight Against Desensitization to Violence
 (YouthMinistry.com)

Faith & Leadership: Reclaiming the Power of Lament
(Faith & Leadership)

Faith & Leadership:Bearing Witness to the Pain of Violence 
(Faith & Leadership)
Talking to Children about Natural Disasters
Disasters: A Catholic Response (Our Sunday Visitor)

Talking to Kids About Natural Disasters (Focus on the Family)

How to Talk to Kids About Wildfires and Earthquakes, Before and After they Happen (LA Times)

Helping Children After a Wildfire: Tips for Parents and Teachers (National Association of School Psychologists)

For Parents: Becoming a Community that Raises All Children with Hope & Love
One Teacher's Brilliant Strategy to Stop Future Shootings 
(Reader's Digest) We need more teachers like this.

Good Grief: How to Support Someone in the Midst of Grief
(Fuller Youth Institute)


Ted Talk: Sue Klebold:
​My Son Was a Columbine Shooter This Is My Story.
 (TEDMED2016) 
In this difficult, jarring talk, Klebold explores the intersection between mental health and violence, advocating for parents and professionals to continue to examine the link between suicidal and homicidal thinking.

Sandy Hook Promise: Gun Violence Warning Signs 
Sandy Hook Promise is a nonprofit organization formed in Newtown, CT, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. The organization aims to stop gun violence and emphasizes knowing the signs that can lead to violence. Video by Sandy Hook Promise
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​Praying Through Tragedies and Disasters and Pandemics

Pandemic/Dealing with the Coronavirus     
  • Pope's Prayer to Mary During Coronavirus Pandemic (Catholic News Service)
  • A Coronavirus Prayer (America)   
  • Faith-fully Navigating Coronavirus with Your Kids (The Pastoral Center) 
  • Navegando con Fe el Coronavirus con sus Hijos (The Pastoral Center)

Prayers and Resources for Catholic Families During a Challenging Time (Sadlier)

​Tragedy and Violence
3 Ways to Pray for Las Vegas: It's a Powerful (Not Political Act) for Christians
(Christianity Today)

Pope Francis' Prayer for Peace and Protection from Violence and Terrorism (USCCB)

Catholics for Family Peace (Prayer) 
(Catholic University of America/Catholic Families for Peace)

Catholics for Family Peace (Prayer in Spanish)
(Catholic University of America/Catholic Families for Peace)

Disaster
Prayer for Those Affected by Hurricanes (Irma and Harvey) (Diocese of Dallas)

Prayer - Hurricane (in Spanish) (Catholic Relief Services)

General Intercessions Regarding Those Affected by the Hurricanes (Bilingual)
(Catholic Relief Services)

When Disaster Strikes: Prayer, How to Help Those in Need (Our Sunday Visitor)

The Importance of Prayer
Quotes from 10 Saints and Popes (Catholic Link)
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Photo by Ron Smith on Unsplash

  • Home
    • About this Project
    • New >
      • Resources for Covid 19 and Stay at Home Orders
  • Faith Practice
    • Learning the Faith
    • Prayers & Praying >
      • Traditional Catholic Prayers
      • Praying
    • Reading the Bible
    • Catholic Social Teachings >
      • Life and Dignity of the Human Person
      • Call to Family, Community, and Participation
      • Solidarity
      • Care for God's Creation
    • Celebrating Rituals & Milestones >
      • Celebrating Rituals
      • Celebrating Milestones
    • Sharing Faith/Forming Disciples/Discerning Gifts
    • Serving Others
  • Church Year
    • Mass/Sunday Worship & Lectionary Resources
    • Advent >
      • For Families
      • For Parishes/Schools
    • Christmas >
      • For Families >
        • For Parishes/Schools
    • Ordinary Time >
      • January/ February
    • LENT >
      • Lenten season resources
      • Breaking Open the Word-Lent - Cycle B
    • EASTER >
      • Easter Season Resources
    • Current Events
  • Sacraments
    • General
    • Sacraments of Initiation
    • Sacraments of Healing
    • Sacraments at the Service of Communion
  • Family
    • Parenting >
      • General
      • Young Children
      • Adolescents
      • Special Needs
      • Empty Nest
    • Partnering with Parents
    • Parent Faith Formation
    • Grandparents >
      • Grandparent resources
      • Poppi's Adventures in Babysitting
    • Let's Talk About... >
      • Racism
      • Really Tough Topics
    • Issues Families Deal With >
      • Divorce
      • Addiction
      • Mental Health Issues
      • Death, Loss, Grief
      • Transforming Hate into Love >
        • One Day Against Hate
  • Media
    • Movie Reviews & Reviewer Resources
    • Programs on Streaming Services
    • Using Media and Technology
    • Videos for Faith Formation
  • Leadership
    • Learning New Approaches
    • Current Research, Resources, and Articles for Leaders
    • Webinars, Workshops, Conferences & More >
      • Archived Leadership Webinars, Workshops, & Conferences
      • 2018 One Day Against Hate (a partnership effort) >
        • Prayer Service Framework Option 1
        • Prayer Service Framework Option 2
        • Resources to Guide Conversations of Understanding to Combat Hate
    • On Church Documents Regarding Families
    • Presentation Tools & Tips for Leaders
    • Initiatives
  • Submit a Resource