Episode description

When I first recorded this episode it was in response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary that was preceded by the supermarket shooting days earlier. With gun violence on the rise, more mass shootings, war in many countries, there is no time better than now to help our kids understand and make sense of what seems like senseless violence. Please listen to my brilliant guest, Barbara Rubel and how she shares her own story and provides us with a path forward for us and our kids.

Please listen and please share.

Gun violence has been heavy on everyone’s mind with the horrific massacre at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York and just ten days later, the shooting of innocent lives at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. It makes sense that you have feelings about what’s happened and are grieving the loss of life and innocence whether you know the victims or not.

As parents, it hits us especially hard when we see innocent children killed. Sending our kids to school brings up anxiety and fear in us, and our sense of safety is gone.

How do we live with the anxiety and fear we are all feeling?

How do we make sense out of senseless violence?

How do we make meaning out of something so tragic?

Barbara Rubel, as a Thanatologist, is an expert in death, dying and bereavement. She helps people cope with, and move on from, sudden traumatic loss.

Barbara and I talk about how we can process these tragedies, grieve the loss of the innocent lives, explain what’s happened to our kids, take care of ourselves at this time and move through the pain.

I have enormous respect for the work Barbara does, and I know you will love what she has to share. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we have to have these hard conversations with our kids. When you go to them, stay rooted in your strengths, explain death in a way that’s age appropriate and aligned with your beliefs, and it’s ok to show emotions to your children. Feeling sad is normal and natural, this IS sad.

For more on how to talk to your children about hard things such as this, please watch this video with 6 Steps to Talk to Your Kids About Hard Things: https://youtu.be/RCVp51ANqDg

About Barbara Rubel

Barbara Rubel is a Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Barbara received a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in community health, with a concentration in Thanatology from Brooklyn College. Barbara is the author of several books including, the must-read book for clinicians, “But I didn’t Say Goodbye: Helping Families after a suicide.”

Contact Information:

Email: barbararubel@barbararubel.com

Social Profiles:

Instagram: @barbararubel

Website: https://www.griefworkcenter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraRubelMA/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsBRubel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbararubel/

Thanks for listening!

It means so much to me that you listened to my podcast! If you resonate with my message and would like my personal help in your parenting journey, I’d love to talk to you. Please visit my website to book a call with me where we can talk about your parenting frustrations and I’ll share how I can help you. www.parentingforconnection.com

My intention with my show is to build a community of parents that can have open and honest conversations about parenting without judgement or criticism. We have too much of that!

I honor each parent and their path towards becoming the best parent they can be. My hope is to inspire more parents to consider the practice of Peaceful Parenting.

If you know somebody who would benefit from this message, or would be an awesome addition to our community, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some...