Saturday, September 7, 2024

How to Comfort Kids After a School Tragedy

As I write this post tonight, four families are planning funerals, funerals for two teachers and two students. On Tuesday of this week, our neighboring community suffered a school tragedy, an active shooter situation. The Alapachee High School SRO officer and school staff acted quickly to stop the situation, but not before four people lost their lives. This one hit home. Until now, these situations were far away in other states. This time, it was close to home. The school is about 45 minutes from my house, but it is just down the road from where I grew up. Communities here in Northeast Georgia are small and mostly close-knit, especially when bad things happen. This tragedy affected all three of my grown children. My son was involved in the investigation following the event. My older daughter works with the sister of one of the students who died. She also went to high school with someone who teaches at Alapachee High School. My younger daughter, who works in an ABA clinic for kids with Autism, spent her Friday on lockdown due to copycat threats. We've been dealing with copycat threats for the past several days. Parents are scared. Kids are scared. Everyone is on edge, but life must go on. I'm so glad it's Friday so our community can calm down, rest, and recover from the long, heartbreaking week we've just endured. For the families of Alapachee High School, this school year will be forever marked by Tuesday's shooting. Every milestone of the school year will be remembered as "that was the year of the shooting." Homecoming, Prom, and every special day in between will now be remembered differently than intended. Tuesday changed everything for those families. Eventually, they'll find a way to move one, but not without scars. Counselors are available, and even the Billy Graham Disaster Response Team is in the area to help students, staff, and their families cope. Some parents might be asking the questions, "How do I talk to my child about what happened? How can I help my kids cope with their fear? How can I comfort my kids?" Here are a few suggestions about how to comfort kids after a school tragedy.

How to Comfort Kids After a School Tragedy

In the wake of a school tragedy, it's important for parents to have open and honest conversations with their kids. Knowing where to start these conversations can be difficult as a parent, but Scripture offers valuable guidance on approaching these challenging discussions with compassion and wisdom.

First, creating a safe and nurturing environment for your children to express their feelings is important. Encourage them to share their thoughts and emotions without judgment and offer a listening ear as they process the heartbreaking events.

The book of Psalms reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Encouraging our children to turn to their faith for comfort and strength can give them hope and resilience in the face of tragedy.

God is our refuge and strength,
A very ready help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes
And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

There is a river whose streams make the city of God happy,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved.

God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:1-5

Moreover, the book of Proverbs advises us to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." When discussing difficult topics such as violence and loss, it's important to impart empathy, compassion, and understanding to our children, guiding them toward positive and constructive responses to adversity.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he grows older he will not abandon it. Proverbs 22:6

It's also important to reassure our children of our unconditional love and support. The book of Matthew reminds us, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." We can help our children navigate their grief and find solace during tragedy by showing compassion and empathy.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Ultimately, scripture teaches us that love, compassion, and faith can provide solace in times of darkness. By incorporating these values into our conversations with our children, we can help them process their emotions and find comfort in their faith as they cope with the aftermath of a school tragedy.

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