There are no right words for this moment

How to help Uvalde families

View this email online Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images Friends, The driving force of our mission here at Life Kit is to not only be informative, but to also be helpful. Our job is to help you find answers, and offer agency, and make sense of chaos.  That feels like an impossible task this week.  On Tuesday, a gunman entered a 4th grade class and killed 21 people – including 19 children – in Uvalde, Texas. This mass shooting came less than two weeks after another one that made national headlines – one motivated by racism –  in Buffalo, New York. Ten people died, and loved ones are still burying their dead.  (I’m specific about the shootings that make national headlines, because there are mass shootings on a near-daily basis in this country – most of them don’t make the news. That’s how common they’ve become.) There are no right words in moments like these, and there never seems to be enough time to fully process one of them before another one happens. It’s maddening to have the same conversation about gun violence tragedies again and again and again. Newsletter continues after sponsor message The truth is, it feels difficult to do anything but just be upset right now. I feel like I’m frozen in anger and frustration and sorrow. Maybe you can relate.  But another truth is this: It’s exactly now when we are most called to channel our feelings into action and change.  We don’t have all the answers on how to do that. But we do have a lot of really smart colleagues who are asking the hard questions that need to be asked and seeking out real, actionable solutions. We’ve shared those resources for you here.  For parents and caregivers An expert in child trauma looks at how parents can support kids in Uvalde and elsewhere, NPR What to say to kids about school shootings to ease their stress, NPR Texas school shooting: How to help kids get through unspeakable horror, LA Times Reflections from America’s litany of school shootings: What to say, what to do, Chalkbeat We hate to have to share it again, but if you missed it, or if it helps, here’s our episode on what to say to kids when the news is scary Listen to the episode For everyone How to help Uvalde families, NPR Experts say we can prevent school shootings. Here's what the research says, NPR How to not give up on guns, Vox Why can’t America do anything to stop mass shootings?, The Guardian The key to stopping mass shootings? Treat them like a public health disaster, this scientist says, Science If you want take change into your own hands, here’s our episode on how to run for office Wishing peace and rest and safety for all the weary out there this weekend, friends.  –Andee Tagle, Life Kit producer 💡 What's a hack that's changed your life? 💡   Send us a note at LifeKit@npr.org or leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823. Your life tip could appear on an upcoming episode of Life Kit or in our video series on Instagram! Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy