When the World Seems Confusing, Dark, or Scary:

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?

“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

​Violence, Tragedies, Disasters

• How to Talk to Kids about the Violence in Israel and Gaza  (NPR)
• 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)​
• 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

Pandemics

• 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​

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)​

Praying Through Tragedies, Disasters, and Pandemics

• Pope's Prayer to Mary During Coronavirus Pandemic (Catholic News Service)
• A Coronavirus Prayer (America)   
• ​Prayers and Resources for Catholic Families During a Challenging Time (Sadlier)​
• 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)