News Interview for this Mom

The recent shooting tragedies in Ohio and Texas are heartbreaking. Many are at a loss as to how to cope, explain, and deal with these harrowing events. I know I struggle with talking to my children about mass shootings and public safety. Hard, and sometimes uncomfortable, conversations must be regarding these difficult matters. Children should only have to worry about knee scrapes and negotiable bedtimes, and not violent acts with many fatalities.

Tessa has been wanting to write a blog post about “How Much Nightly News is Too Much for Children?”. I love her topic idea, but struggled with what I could contribute to it. My children are not on social media and my oldest does not yet have her own phone. However, all of my kids are still exposed to the trauma that is happening around the world. This became very clear the other day when I took them to a splash pad and got approached by a news reporter. The journalist was doing a story on how parents talk to their children about recent tragedies.

On the News

The reporter, Marina Bach, wanted to discuss how I address tragic issues with my kids and what we all do to cope with these horrific events. I am not one to enjoy being in front of the camera, but the reporter had done her homework and visited with a child therapist to get professional background for this news story. We had a great conversation, which made me comfortable with being interviewed. I focused on how much talking my husband and I try to do with our kids, especially when it comes to hard and scary topics. I feel the more we communicate the more we help each other.

To see the interview or read the write-up by KCAU, click here.

A parent’s job is tough, but it is also important. Let Family Footnote know how you talk to your kids about national and international tragedies. These horrific events are becoming way too common on the nightly news and social media. How does your family cope and address these hard issues?