How do you talk to your children about the shootings in Colorado - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

How do you talk to your children about the shootings in Colorado?

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Todd Tumminia - bio | email
Parents are now facing the tough decision of telling their kids about the Colorado tragedy. Parents are now facing the tough decision of telling their kids about the Colorado tragedy.
Psychiatrist Travis Smith says there's no one way to handle children. Psychiatrist Travis Smith says there's no one way to handle children.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -

Parents are now facing the tough decision of telling their kids about the Colorado tragedy.

Do you tell them? Or do you leave out details?

According to parents, their kids know more at a young age than ever before.

Jennifer Laughlin has 4 kids ranging from 12 to 3-years-old. She feels strongly about sharing information with her kids.

"They know more things these days than I knew before I got to high school," said Laughlin. "I think it's very important for parents to tell their kids what is going on. Not to hide it from them. Not to make them think that the world is perfect because it's not and kids need to know that."

Other parents draw the line at a certain age. Darren Burgefeld says his 4-year-old is too young.

"With her, we aren't really worried about sharing the information," said Burgefield. "When she watches the news, its shiny objects. She gets about 10 seconds in and she's watching something else."

Psychiatrist Travis Smith says there's no one way to handle children.

He says the most important thing is their feelings about it, their fears and their worries are okay.

And Smith dealt with this firsthand as a parent.

"My 6 year old daughter was watching the news with my wife and turned to my wife and said what happens? This is confusing," said Smith. "I feel scared. If we go to the movies, does that mean this is going to happen to us?"

He says whether kids are confused or understand, it makes him not want to go to a movie anymore.

Smith suggests an open line of communication for your child. Whatever approach you take, be ready to answer the tough questions.

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