When tragedy strikes close to home, like the recent school shooting in Minneapolis, there are no perfect words. I’ve noticed myself cycling through tears, irritation, overwhelm, and moments of joyful presence with my son sometimes all in the same day.
If you’re feeling a mix of emotions right now, you’re not alone. Stress and grief show up differently for each of us, and that’s okay.
What matters most in weeks like this is simple, human connection:
💛 Compassion for yourself, your kids, your community.
🌟 Grieving giving space to feel, without rushing to “get over it.”
💛 Love small gestures of connection, a hug, a hand on the heart, reaching out to a teacher or neighbor.
Bringing the Body Into the Conversation
Sometimes there really are no words. And as my colleague Kathy Flaminio from Move Mindfully reminds us, that’s when it helps to bring the body into the conversation.
Our kids don’t always need perfect scripts from us. What they need most is the felt sense of safety and connection. That happens when we slow down, regulate our own bodies, and invite them into practices that bring calm.
Here are a few gentle tools you can try this week:
- Hand to heart (or forehead). A simple way to remind yourself and your child that you’re safe and present.
- Gentle tapping or rocking. Natural rhythms that soothe the nervous system and release overwhelm.
- Step outside. Fresh air, bare feet in the grass, or noticing what you see, hear, and feel can shift your body’s stress response.
- Sway side to side. Rhythmic movement helps calm bodies of all ages.
- Lead with presence, not perfect words. A hug or a hand to hold often speaks louder than explanations.
These practices may seem small, but they are powerful. They give kids an embodied sense of safety, not just the words, “You’re safe.”
See It in Action
If you’d like to see these ideas modeled, here are two short videos worth saving:
Both demonstrate what it looks like to bring the body into the conversation, whether you’re calming yourself as an adult or supporting a little one after hard news.
Additional Resources for Parents and Professionals
If you’d like more practical support, these resources are excellent starting points:
- Supporting Our Youngest After a Community Tragedy (MACMH PDF)
- Move Mindfully – Talking to Kids About Lockdown Drills
- Spark & Stitch Institute – Helping Kids Cope with Tragedy
Even in weeks that feel unbearably heavy, these reminders of grounding, compassion, and love help us feel less alone.
Final Word
Parenting in times like these isn’t about having the perfect script. It’s about slowing down, tending to our own nervous systems, and offering our kids compassion, space to grieve, and steady love.
Even when the world feels heavy, small moments of grounding a breath, a hug, a hand on the heart remind us that healing is possible.
💛 Holding you and your family close,
Samantha
Upcoming Events (A Chance to Join Me Live)
I’ll be sharing more of these tools live in the coming weeks. If you’d like to join or spread the word, here’s where I’ll be:
- September 24th: Free Parent Webinar 3 Essential Parenting Skills to Calm Big Feelings and Challenging Behaviors (Hosted by Building Healthier Community | St Croix Therapy) Register here.
- September 25th: Parenting Series (6 weeks) More Peace at Home: Practical Tools that Calm, Connect & Cooperate (Private Event at Sunny Hollow Montessori).
- September 29th: Staff & Parent Training (New Prague) —
- Growing Great Kids: Classroom Tools for Grit, Resilience & Motivation (Staff Training)
- Growing Great Kids: Parenting Tools for Grit, Resilience & Confidence (Parent Night)
(Hosted by Falcon Ridge High School, sponsored by Duck Cup Memorial).
- October 3rd: CEU Workshop for Professionals (In-Person & Online) Mastering Effective Parenting Tools: Techniques to Calm Big Emotions & Improve Challenging Behavior (Hosted by Invigorate Life Counseling). CEUs provided!
If your organization, school, or parent group is interested in hosting a training or event, set up a free call with me here.