{"id":21171,"date":"2026-01-24T22:34:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T04:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/2026\/01\/24\/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-shootings-at-or-near-schools\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T22:34:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T04:34:46","slug":"how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-shootings-at-or-near-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/2026\/01\/24\/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-shootings-at-or-near-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"How to talk to your child about shootings at or near schools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Helping Children Cope with Shootings and School Violence<\/h1>\n

As rates of shootings and school violence increase, parents must once again confront how to comfort their children while addressing their complex feelings about the horrific and often highly publicized incidents. Authorities responded to a fatal shooting Thursday at a park near Woodrow Wilson High School in East Dallas. Dallas ISD spokeswoman Robyn Harris said three Woodrow Wilson students were involved in the incident. One student, a senior Harris said was on the school\u2019s soccer team, was fatally shot. The Dallas County Medical Examiner\u2019s office identified the victim as 18-year-old Wornan Padilla Garcia.<\/p>\n

Such events can have a significant mental health impact on children, even if they are far away from a shooting or violent incident, pediatric mental health experts say. Parents and caregivers may notice changes in their kids\u2019 behavior or newfound fears of going to school or large gatherings. Though it\u2019s difficult and may feel overwhelming, the most important thing a parent can do to help their children work through their feelings is talk, Tanya Moreno, a licensed professional counselor at HHM Health in Dallas, said during an interview in May 2022.<\/p>\n

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Start the Conversation<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s essential to let your child know that you want to hear what they\u2019re thinking and feeling. Some kids and young adults may not want to talk about what\u2019s going through their mind at first, Moreno said, but it\u2019s crucial they know you\u2019re there to listen when they\u2019re ready. Choosing when to talk is important, too. Certain times may work better than others, such as when riding in the car or before dinner or bedtime.<\/p>\n

When kids are ready to talk, it\u2019s essential to listen to their thoughts without interrupting, the American Psychological Association advises, and to wait to share your own opinions until after they express their understanding of the situation. Sometimes, sharing your own fears with kids can make them feel more validated in their feelings.<\/p>\n

\u201cKids, they\u2019re not equipped like adults to communicate and express their emotions,\u201d Moreno said. \u201cSometimes they don\u2019t even know what they\u2019re feeling, so it\u2019s really important for teachers \u2026 and parents to put yourself in their shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pay Attention to Changes in Behavior<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s normal for children to react in many different ways to a traumatic event. Kids may have nightmares, wet the bed or express fear about leaving the house, for example. They may also become more quiet or withdrawn, have feelings of anger or cry more easily than before. This is normal for everyone, the APA said, and changes in mood or behavior should begin returning to normal in four to six weeks if no other traumatic events have occurred.<\/p>\n

Talk About What They\u2019re Seeing on Social Media<\/h2>\n

After a tragedy, kids can be flooded with reminders of the event through news stories and social media posts. While it\u2019s not always possible to control what your child is seeing or hearing about a shooting, it can be helpful to discuss what they\u2019re seeing together.<\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n

\"Frisco<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter these events, people can say hurtful things, they can say disturbing things, they can say positive things. It\u2019s best to openly have these discussions,\u201d Moreno said.<\/p>\n

Find Ways for Them to Help<\/h2>\n

Offer your kids ways that they can help others grieving this tragedy. Children can write letters or send drawings to affected families, or they can provide extra kindness to their own friends who may be struggling, said Nicholas Westers, a pediatric psychologist at Children\u2019s Health.<\/p>\n

Helping others \u201cprovides a sense of control in a world of uncertainty,\u201d he said during a May 2022 interview.<\/p>\n

Take Care of Yourself<\/h2>\n

You can\u2019t take care of your kids without also taking care of yourself. \u201cBe a model for your children on how to manage traumatic events,\u201d the APA said. \u201cKeep regular schedules for activities such as family meals and exercise to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.\u201d<\/p>\n

When to Seek Outside Help<\/h2>\n

While it\u2019s never a bad idea for a child to talk with a mental health professional after a tragedy, there are certain signs parents can watch for that signal it may be time to reach out to an expert, Moreno said. They include changes in mood or behavior that last more than a few weeks and acts of self-harm, like purposefully injuring themselves or making uncharacteristically risky decisions.<\/p>\n

\u201cParents know their kids, teachers know their kids,\u201d Moreno said. \u201cEspecially parents and caregivers know when they see changes in behavior or mood.\u201d Parents should reach out to their pediatricians or school counselors for more advice on when and where to seek additional mental health resources for their kids.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Helping children cope with shootings and school violence requires a thoughtful and supportive approach. By starting conversations, paying attention to changes in behavior, talking about what they\u2019re seeing on social media, finding ways for them to help, taking care of yourself, and knowing when to seek outside help, you can help your child navigate these difficult situations. Remember, every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Be patient, be understanding, and be there for your child as they process their emotions and work through their feelings.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

Q: How can I start a conversation with my child about a traumatic event?<\/h3>\n

A: Start by letting your child know that you want to hear what they\u2019re thinking and feeling. Choose a good time to talk, such as when riding in the car or before dinner or bedtime. Listen to their thoughts without interrupting and wait to share your own opinions until after they express their understanding of the situation.<\/p>\n

Q: What are some common reactions to a traumatic event that I should look out for in my child?<\/h3>\n

A: Common reactions include nightmares, wetting the bed, expressing fear about leaving the house, becoming more quiet or withdrawn, having feelings of anger, or crying more easily than before. These reactions are normal and should begin returning to normal in four to six weeks if no other traumatic events have occurred.<\/p>\n

Q: How can I help my child feel safe after a traumatic event?<\/h3>\n

A: You can help your child feel safe by maintaining a regular routine, providing reassurance and support, and encouraging open communication. It\u2019s also essential to take care of yourself, as you can\u2019t take care of your child without taking care of your own mental health.<\/p>\n

Q: When should I seek outside<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Helping Children Cope with Shootings and School Violence As rates of shootings and school violence increase, parents must once again confront how to comfort their children while addressing their complex feelings about the horrific and often highly publicized incidents. Authorities responded to a fatal shooting Thursday at a park near Woodrow Wilson High School in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":21173,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-21171","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-crime-reports"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com\/resizer\/v2\/RDR7ULKVUZEDFNGAHW6K7PP4PM.jpg?auth=67583dd4a4d6c27b7f1369156035b7b829daa06ee7a11cd827a2eb614ad5d9d6&quality=80&width=1200&height=630&smart=true","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21171"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21171"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21174,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21171\/revisions\/21174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/dallas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}