After talking with a few parents & colleagues about my last post: “Kids and Guns: It’s about Child Safety” it became clear that a follow up post was needed. While playdate cards help parents talk to other parents, what resources are there to help non-gun owning families talk to children about guns?
S0, how do you start the conversation with your child if you live in a gun-free home? When should you bring it up? Will talking make a child curious? Yes.
Children are curious about EVERYTHING.
RELATED: How I Talk to My Children About Guns
As parents, we talk to children about looking both ways before they cross the street. We talk to them about buckling up whenever in the car. We talk to them about not talking to strangers.
Talking to children about what to do if they ever find a gun or weapon in a friend’s home is just as important. Guns in US homes are common. Reasons vary for keeping guns & weapons: work, recreation or personal protection.
It is important to help your child be prepared to know what to do.
RELATED: How to End Gun Violence in the US
LISTEN TO THIS: How guns can affect families forever–StoryCorp: Gone with a Gunshot, His Little Sister Remains, Eternally 8
This handout*summarizes some key things for parents to think about before and during talking with children about guns and other weapons. It gives some suggestions on how and when to start the conversation. It also gives parents a reminder to use a matter of fact tone.
Review this handout. Share with your partner, spouse, family, friend. Then talk to your children about guns/weapons. It can help keep yet another child safe from gun violence.
And remember, talk to other parents about guns/weapons in their homes before sending your child over to play. They will not be offended.
RELATED: Blood on our Hands
*A special thank you to Dr. Mandy Harris and Rebecca Cisneros for talking through this important topic and providing suggestions for the handout!
Hi Nerissa,
I teach seventh graders medieval history. We talk about violence daily. In my homeroom our theme is current events where we also talk about violence in the news. It’s not easy. I have a grounding to it in the classroom, but outside of school, I am heartsick at the violence that is inour world.
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Janice
Hi Janice, thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to read and comment on this particular post. I am glad you have a proactive discussion. While it is not easy, it is essential to have. The students are fortunate to have a caring and kind adult to talk about these issues in a safe environment who can respond to children especially if uneasy etc. It does make me heartsick as well. We can all continue to do what we can to make this world as safe as we can for our children so they can thrive, learn and grow. Through modeling acceptable conflict resolution skills through effective communication, we can raise a future generation to take action by working together. This is my hope.
Thank you for subscribing! Exciting! If you comment on my side, I can invite you to pin to our blog group board.
Thanks Janice, I will!
Good tips for talking with other parents about gun safety. You deserve to feel like your kids are going to be safe when at someone elses house but it’s on you to teach your kids gun safety first and foremost. You can’t expect other parents to do it for you.
Hi Drew, you are absolutely right. I wish it did not have to be this way. However, unfortunately, with this day and age, it is a necessity. I have never had anyone be offended when I have asked and as a parent, I feel it is my obligation to make sure my kids are prepared and know what to do if they are ever in this situation…similar to fire, tornado drills we have as a kid…now they have intruder/shooter drills in our schools. Times are changing…