This Kid Threw a “Thank You” Party for Police. He Never Expected This Response.

This 11-year-old always wanted to be a police officer but after the police protests last year, he wasn’t so sure. His mom told him there were still plenty of good police officers. Not satisfied that the good guys were lumped with the bad, he decided to throw a thank-you party for police. No one expected this response from the police:

The headlines are filled with bad news stories, and although it’s natural and healthy for children to question what they see and hear, explaining the news to your kids can sometimes be tricky. Here are a few tips to help make the conversation easier:

• Listen carefully to your child’s questions and concerns
• Tell the truth, but assuage your child’s fear and concerns by highlighting the positive. I love this quote from the late Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
• Protect your child from seeing traumatic images
• Help your child identify and deal with their feelings related to the incident
• Reassure your child that they are loved and safe

Finally, remember to take your child’s age and temperament into account when deciding how much to tell them about the news.

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