Local parents found this morning’s school drop-off to be more emotional and difficult than usual in the wake of Friday’s mass shooting.
Over the weekend, Greg Blankenship says he found himself pivoting between reassurance and preparation. He asked his 6 year old about lockdown drills in his East Nashville school and they discussed what the boy could do if anything bad ever starts happening. But during their walk to school, the big question came from Blankenship’s daughter, a four year old named Emerson.
“She’s having a harder time understanding how big it is, and asking, you know, if this is where the children died when you are walking up to the school.”
Other parents have held off on those challenging conversations.
“I was mostly thinking I hope she doesn’t find out today, because I didn’t tell her. She’s young enough that she’s not on social media.”
Ruth Rosenberg expects her daughter’s teachers in Oak Hill will downplay talk of the massacre. Still, she knows her child will learn about the tragedy at some point. When that time comes, Rosenberg plans to emphasize that no matter what it feels like, these events are still rare.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM