Kids talk about world problems more than you think.

It’s been a heavy week, hasn’t it? 

There were several shootings this week, but the one that’s been highlighted the most is the one in Uvalde, Texas.

I have to be honest. I have been avoiding reading or listening to a lot of it because my emotional bandwidth just can’t take it right now. That doesn’t mean I don’t care. I certainly do. But, I have to limit my consumption of things that I am aware will be too much to handle at the time.

One thing I've had to do regardless of how I feel is to check in with my kids to find out how they're doing. I know that the answers might not be ideal. I don’t expect them to feel like the world is an amazing place and that they will feel 100 percent safe and secure. 

But, I want to make sure that they know I am there for them and that they can ask me any questions. 

That’s the job of a parent, right? No matter what is going on, we never stop being there for our kids. 

So, I want to remind you to please talk with your children about what they’re feeling and thinking. 

Just because your kids look fine doesn’t mean that they don’t have fears or concerns.

Kids talk about world problems more than you think. They inform themselves via social media and they talk about ongoing issues among their peers.

It’s important to know what they know and what they believe is actually happening so that you can clarify misinformation and fears.

Please, don't avoid this conversation with your children. I know that it can be tough, and you might even think that if you talk about it, you might make them feel more scared.

But, it's all about how to approach the conversation. Here are some tips about how to have this conversation.

• Ask them what they know about the latest news.
• Ask them what their major concerns are
• Let them know how you plan on keeping them safe.
• If it helps, let them know you will ask their school about their safety plans.
• Another thing you can do as a parent is to ask the school principal to invite someone from the police department to speak to parents about their procedures in the case an emergency were to happen such as an active shooter were to happen.

You have a right to ask these types of questions from your school and your local police department.

Not a lot of parents do, so the representatives might not be prepared to answer your questions at first. However, if you keep asking and if you get other parents to ask as well, you will see that they will try to give you the answers you seek.

Lastly, don't forget to take care of yourself. This latest news has triggered so many emotions in all of us. It's ok to cry, be mad, sad, and have all the feelings.