MIFFLINBURG -- With the recent tragedies, it can be hard for anyone -- especially children -- to comprehend.
The psychologist we spoke with says children pick up on what their parents are feeling and saying. That's important to remember when you're openly discussing the recent police shootings and other terrorist attacks.
Stephanie Conner of Mifflinburg has four children including, a very outgoing 6-year-old daughter Emma.
Emma and her siblings want to know about the recent shootings and terror attacks that seem to be happening more and more often.
"What my husband and I struggle with with our kids is telling them it's OK to be nice to people. It's OK to be kind to everybody in the world, but sometimes people aren't kind back," said Stephanie.
Conner and her husband aren't the only parents struggling with how to talk to their children about this.
Dr. Nicole Quinlan is a pediatric psychologist at Geisinger Medical Center and has been seeing this come up lately. She says children pick up on what their parents are feeling.
"They make us adults sad and scared and when kids see that as well, it's more likely to increase their own worries about it," said Dr. Quinlan.
Dr. Quinlan says it's important to talk about difficult topics and parents should start the conversation.
"I tell parents: think ahead of time about what you want to say and find a good moment to say it. But then ask your kids what they already know."
Dr. Quinlan says another important conversation to have with your kids is why it's important to not be afraid of police."
"There are bad examples of people who do really bad things, but that doesn't mean all people should be. You shouldn't be afraid of all of those people."
Conner says she and her husband are trying to teach their children that they are safe approaching a police officer.
"If something is going on and you need help and you see a police officer or anybody in uniform, firefighters, cops or whatever, those people are safe to be approached," she said.
Dr. Quinlan believes parents should tell their children how they feel about the shootings and attacks and how they plan to deal with it. She also says it's important to stress that there are good people in this world.
