Even for children who didn't know them, hearing about it brings up past feelings,'' says bereavement educator Deborah Rivlin, also of the Good Grief Program. She was one of the counselors at the Oak Hill school last weekend. For some kids, that's all the connection they need,'' she says. The typical child may not make the connection to the Newton deaths. If you assume that what they say accurately reflects what they feel, you miss an opportunity to help him talk about something that's really scary to him,'' Rivlin says.
Parents walk a fine line here.
On the one hand, it's important to be honest and genuine. On the other hand, you don't want to overstate your own worry. Well, that was pretty scary. While she wouldn't force a child to go against his will, Rivlin says she would do everything she could to help him feel safe enough to go, including going as a chaperone on a trip or driving him yourself if it comes to that. While Trozzi would not initiate a conversation without a context, once the subject is on the table, she encourages parents to talk about risk. ''I would remind him of the risks we take every day.