Helping Kids Deal With Tragedy

Thoughts from Scott Turansky...

My heart goes out to the families in Connecticut this week who have experienced painful loss. The parents of children in the community are faced with a huge task of explaining life to their children in the midst of tragedy.

It’s important to help children everywhere work through any feelings they are experiencing in regards to the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut.

But it’s also important to do so at their developmental level. Sometimes parents interact with their children in ways that stimulate fear or anxiety because they go further than the child is ready to hear.

One of the greatest ways that you can help children process a tragedy such as this is to pray with your child, thanking God for his protection and safety. Sharing passages about trusting in God can help children rise above the current tragedy in their own emotions.

For example, Psalm 91:1 emphasizes God’s strength and power, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ “

In the midst of an evil world, God is our strength and comfort. We can trust in him.

For more ways to help children address tragedy in their lives, please read the following article: Helping Kids Deal with Tragedy.