When evil is so great that it exceeds our words, it’s hard to know how to talk to our children. After the tragic and much publicized events of 911, Laura Bush, then the wife of the President, wrote a letter to children under the age of 13 to help articulate the events on their level. She wrote a similar letter for older children. She led the way in taking a first step in talking to our children about what few people could put into words. While people were still reeling from the images and the thoughts of unexplainable violence and indescribable loss, she urged grown ups to, “Reassure your children. Love them. Hug them.” Laura Bush gave the Nation a place to start with our children.

Our children are not meant to have a diet of evil. We shouldn’t be surprised when a steady diet of violent images produces acts of aggression. Life on screen appears so real, and surround sound makes it sound so true. A mind calloused to cruelty imagines stepping into the mayhem and then simply turning it off. Sadly, a tragedy like the one in Denver this past weekend reminds the world that real evil is real, and there are unspeakable consequences to evil actions.

How do we talk to kids about tragedy?

1. We reassure them we will always do our best to keep them safe, because they are precious.
2. We have the maturity to forego having images of the evil act come into our homes by turning off the tv/screen, turning off the sounds, and putting away pictures.
3. We tell the truth to our children to let them know there is evil in the world, but God does not love evil or want an evil world.
4. We exercise self-control when talking to other grown-ups while our children can hear us.
5. We let them know there will be a day when God will make the whole world peaceful.
6. We invite peaceful things into our homes and minds and hearts on the day after and long after the awful tragedy is front page news.
7. We focus on praying for the people who are sad and grieving the loss or injuries of those they love.
8. We say truthfully that only God can help someone forgive when people do bad things to other people.
9. We admit that sometimes we feel scared, but we remember Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in You,” and it helps.
10. We “speak reassurance” through extra hugs, sitting close on the couch, snuggling at night, and clearing our lap for people who need to be in the safest place they know.

What are you saying to your children about the tragedy in Denver?