But it was the shooting of another SWAT officer that wound up creating anxiety for our daughter. Police families sometimes wonder how much to tell their children. This depends on their age, maturity, and temperament, but a good rule of thumb is to tell them the facts in a calm, neutral, reassuring manner, then ask if they have questions. Children will often let you know how much they need to know by their questions. Keep the lines of communication open and look for any changes in their behavior.
Counseling is always an option if significant problems develop down the road.
While each family will have its own unique style, here are suggestions that will work for most. If it's desired, everyone in the family should have access to a debriefing and counseling with mental health professionals. For example, one person may cherish personal privacy and feel threatened if another member needs to talk about the event with others outside the family. Try to allow for everyone s needs to be reasonably met with a respectful compromise. Open communication is always helpful to families, both within and outside the family.