Camp Arrowhead
302.945.0610
  • Home
  • Summer Camp
    • Dates & Rates
    • Spring Tour Days
    • Program
    • I'm New to Camp!!
    • Health & Wellness
    • Register Online
    • Forms
    • Summer Camp Photos >
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
    • FAQs
    • Directions
  • Wiiyii Knaawush Niitaap
  • Retreats & Conferencing
    • Lodging Options
    • Directions
  • Weddings
  • Giving
  • Events
    • Work Weekend
    • Memorial Day Camp Out
    • Labor Day Family Camp
  • Summer Jobs
    • Summer Jobs
    • Available Positions
  • Staff Alumni
    • Pay Your Dues
    • ALUMNI REUNION
    • Staff Alumni Archives >
      • The 1950's
      • The 1960's
      • The 1970's
      • The 1980's
      • The 1990's
      • The 2000's
      • The 2010's
      • The 2020's
  • Contact Us
  • Directions
  • Continued Campaign Giving

How do you talk to your children about this?

12/14/2012

 
As information slowly trickles in regarding this morning's shooting in a kindergarten class in Sandy Hook Elementary I am speechless.

My friend Chip, a pastor in Massachusetts sent out a tweet reading:
"No words for the tragedy in CT. Thankfully, God hears even our wordless prayers and is present with us in our grief."  This reference to Romans 8:26 gives me comfort but it doesn't fully mend my broken heart.

How do you talk to children about such events?  The Parade.com and coloradoan.com websites seemed to offer advice that I found the most helpful.  The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) also has a helpful pdf floating around.

To paraphrase:
1) Control the messenger.  Limit exposure to media coverage and you know your child best - so let it come from you in the way they can hear it, respond, and ask questions.

2) Reinforce perceived and real safety and security. Maintain routine as much as possible.  Assure your children these incidents are not common occurrences.  Let them know you are safe here.

3) Talk to them.  Don't answer questions they didn't ask.  Ask questions to help them tell you how they feel and then validate those feelings even if you don't share them or completely understand them.    And keep your conversations developmentally appropriate - the NASP form is particularly helpful with this.  If your child's response is overwhelming - or seems extreme - consider talking to your child's guidance counselor at school or going to see a specialist.  

4)  Be present.  Offer more hugs than normal if that will help your child.  Help them to eat enough and get enough sleep.  Offer to stay with them until they fall asleep if they need you too.

5)  Take care of yourself and your needs too.    You need time to grieve or mourn or express your feelings as well.  You also need to eat and get sleep.  If you are overwhelmed and find yourself unable to perform basic tasks consider calling Delaware's Crisis Intervention Services.  (800) 652-2929  Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) staff are available 24 hours a day to assist people, 18 years and older.

I write this post praying that our camp families are well and together and safe.  Hug yours a little tighter tonight and count your blessings.

peace be with you-
Teri <}}>< 


Comments are closed.

    Authors

    Straight to you from "the
    gang that's all true blu-u-ue"

    Categories

    All
    1st Session
    2015
    2016
    2nd Session
    3rd Session
    4th Session
    5th Session
    Alumni
    Anne
    Arielle
    Becca
    Bethany
    Emma
    Keith
    Laura
    Libbie
    Maddy
    Maddy B
    Megan
    Melissa
    Parent Articles
    Pathfinders
    Photo Of The Week
    Ryan
    Shaun
    Teri
    Theresa
    Wednesday Night Cookout
    Whitty

    Archives

    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly