- Deirdre Brandner
How do I explain the violent protests in America to my child?

When events become viral it important to address this with your child.
This can be viewed as a learning opportunity, and an age appropriate discussion is much better than silence.
Parent may be impacted by what they are viewing and their children will pick up on this.
It’s okay to share how you are feeling.
Let your child share their knowledge before offering more information.
Discuss how racism is unfair but there are lots of ways to change things.
Explain the difference between rioting, and cooperative protests.
You should explain that police officers want to help the community and keep us safe/
Do not let your child view images that will increase trauma or distress.
You don’t have to be able to answer every question they have, put put them at ease where possible.
Image sourced: Julio Cortez https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/opinion/sunday/riots-george-floyd.html