Regardless of how you feel about guns and your children’s exposure and attitude toward them, guns are a part of the media and, therefore, will be a part of your kids life. What you then need to decide is how you want the conversations regarding guns to go within your home.
To help you in figuring this out, whether you regularly go hunting as a family or would rather keep guns out of your home, here are three tips for talking to your kids about guns and the media.
Keep The Conversations Going
The first thing you should know about talking to your kids about guns and the media, or about any topic that’s important to you, is that you shouldn’t expect this to just be one conversation.
According to Carey Wallace, a contributor to Time.com, talking to your kids about sensitive subjects is the best way to keep them safe from potential dangers. Knowing this, you should plan to revisit the topic of guns on a very regular basis. Especially as your kids mature and go through school, you’re going to want to ensure that your voice and advice is the first thing they think about when the topic of guns comes up in their lives.
Comment On When Guns Are Used Inappropriately
Despite what you’ve taught your kids about guns and gun use, the media is going to push their own agenda on your kids. Luckily, there are still things that you can do to help compensate for the information or disinformation that your kids see and hear relating to guns.
To do this, you’ll want to remind your kids about the proper ways to deal with guns even when they see bad examples in the media. By bringing attention to things that you’ve taught your kids not to do, you’ll help them to recognize when they’re in a situation that goes against what they know about firearms. Some of the things you might want to point out, Brad Fitzpatrick, a contributor to NRA Family, are when people are using guns without proper training beforehand or when young people use guns without permission or supervision.
Consider The Images Of Gun Use In Your Home
Although you don’t have a lot of control over what images involving guns your kids will see when they’re outside of your home, you can control what is being viewed when your kids are within your house.
In general, Amy Morin, a contributor to Very Well Family, suggests that you try to keep violent TV, movies, and video games to a minimum. As your kids get older or you’re more comfortable with some violence, try to still be aware of exactly what they’re seeing so you can address it if need be.
If you’re questioning how you should address gun issues with your kids, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you with this.
