recipes

Spreading rumors: Share only verified info from law enforcement or school officials.
Graphic content: Posting videos/images retraumatizes survivors.
Speculating about motives: Investigations take time. Trust the process.
Centering yourself: This isn’t about your voice—it’s about their needs.

💬 For Parents & Caregivers: Talking to Children

Create safety first: “You’re safe right now. I’m here with you.”
Use age-appropriate honesty:
- Young kids: “Something sad happened at a school far away. The helpers are there now.”
- Teens: “I don’t have all the answers, but we can look for reliable updates together.”
Limit exposure: Shield young children from news coverage. For older kids, watch together and discuss.
Watch for signs of distress: Nightmares, clinginess, regression, or refusal to go to school.

❤️ Key phrase: “It’s okay to feel scared. What questions do you have?”

Grief isn’t linear: Some days will feel impossible. Others, almost normal. Both are okay.
Community matters: Attend vigils, write letters to survivors, or plant a memorial tree—collective rituals heal.
Advocate wisely: Support evidence-based solutions (mental health funding, threat assessment programs) over politicized debates.

In the face of senseless violence, we cannot undo the pain—but we can refuse to let it harden our hearts.

Be the neighbor who brings soup.
Be the friend who sits in silence.
Be the stranger who donates quietly.

Because healing begins when we choose compassion over chaos, and connection over isolation.

🌻 You are not alone. Keep reaching out. Keep showing up. We’ll carry this together