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
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Talking to Kids and Teens about Tragedy, Violence, and PandemicS
Talking with Children about the Coronavirus
I Doubt It: Making Space for Hard Questions (Fuller Youth Institute) |
Talking with Children about Disaster: Tips for Talking to Kids about Scary News (Psychology Today)
The Tragedy of School Shootings (Fuller Youth Institute) Resources and Tips to Help Children Cope with Trauma and Grief (Child Mind Institute) Living in a Broken World (Focus on the Family) How to Talk About Shootings: An Age to Age Guide (Today.com) Mass Shootings (Las Vegas) How to Talk to Children (NEA - National Education Association) 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)
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)
From the American Academy of Pediatrics: Talking to Children About Tragedy (including Signs a Child Might Not be Coping Well) (Healthy Children)
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)
From the American Academy of Pediatrics: Talking to Children About Tragedy (including Signs a Child Might Not be Coping Well) (Healthy Children)
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)
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
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)
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
Praying Through Tragedies and Disasters and Pandemics
Pandemic/Dealing with the Coronavirus
Prayers and Resources for Catholic Families During a Challenging Time (Sadlier) |
Tragedy and Violence
Pope Francis' Prayer for Peace and Protection from Violence and Terrorism (USCCB)
Disaster: Prayer for Those Affected by Hurricanes (Irma and Harvey) (Diocese of Dallas)
Pope Francis' Prayer for Peace and Protection from Violence and Terrorism (USCCB)
Disaster: Prayer for Those Affected by Hurricanes (Irma and Harvey) (Diocese of Dallas)