Alyson Jones, MA, RCC-ACS Registered Clinical Counsellor

We are all so saddened by the mass shootings at Tumbler Ridge on Tuesday February 10.
When these shocking things happen, we need to come together and support each other as that
is the basis of community and compassion. We need to meet the worst of humanity with the
best of humanity.

So how do we help our young people feel secure when our world has been shaken?  How do
we help children make sense of something that does not make sense to us? There is much we
will need to process around this horrific event, but here are some tips to help yourself and your
children as we respond to the aftermath of this tragedy.

1. Talk to your children.  Do not brush this under the rug.  This will be a source of
discussion at school and other events.  Children of all ages will be discussing this
tragedy. 

2. Denial of a “bad thing” never makes it better.  Our children need to talk about this
event; it is their country and their world too.  It is natural to pull together and discuss
things that frighten and disturb us.

3. Check in with each other, check in with your children.  Ask your children what they
have heard and what they understand about the tragedy?  Find out what they know
before you provide your information.

4. Provide age-appropriate information.  The types of discussions you have with your
child will depend upon their age and what they have heard already.

5. Turn away from Social Media, TV and turn towards each other.  We all need
information and will be drawn to learn more about this on television and social media. 
We cannot protect our children from the news out there, but we can still be in the lead
with helping them know when to shut the information down.  Gauge what is age
appropriate and do not get lost in the news yourself.  Stay sensitive to your children and
remember some information alleviates anxiety, but too much information just
overwhelms.

6. Provide a brief overview. If they have not heard about this incident, which is unlikely,
provide them with some information. Let them know there were shootings at a school in
a small community and we don’t know why this happened yet, but responsible
authorities are looking after the situation and the police are investigating.

7. Let your children ask questions.  You will not have an answer to every question but
just letting them ask is healthy and moves emotions forward.

8. Do not rush to try to rush you are your children to feel better.  Give the feelings
associated with this “airplay”.  It is natural to be angry and scared in this situation. 

Let your children get their feelings out.  Talk about the feelings and let them know you feel
those same things but that feelings move and change.

9. Emphasis your connection.  Connection with others always makes us feel better
during upsetting time.  Reach out to your children and let them know they can reach out
to you and others.

10. Look to the helpers.  Tell your children there are way more good people than bad.  Let
your children know that people pull together during these difficult times.  Remind yourself
of this as well.  The First Responders and the people close by did an amazing job in
responding and keeping others safe.  Something like this also brings out the best in
human nature as so many people are helping those that are affected and suffering.

11. Rely on Structure.  Remind your children that there are procedures and protocols in
place, and they can rely on the adults that are responding and doing their job.  Return to
your regular routine as this alleviates anxiety.

12. We cannot pretend that the world is a perfect place.  The world is a complicated
place filled with pain and joy, but we can have heartfelt conversations with our children
about tragedy. It is still a good world, although a complicated one, and bad things can
happen in a good world. These types of honest conversations can lead to more intimate
and authentic relationships between ourselves and our children.

13. When faced with the worst we need to turn towards the best.  Give your children a
hug, let them know that they are loved, and you are there for them.  Turn to love as it
remains the most powerful of all emotions and the best of humanity.

Alyson Jones, MA, RCC-ACS Registered Clinical Counsellor

Once autumn arrives we feel the shift of the season and begin to plan our Thanksgiving dinners. 

The gourds and pumpkins are on display at the grocery store, and thoughts of family dinners with pie for dessert begin to fill our minds – soon to fill our stomachs as well. Winter is coming –traditionally this has been the time of year where people gather with their loved ones and celebrate the bounty of the harvest. This is a season for thanks and gratitude; but how do we achieve gratitude and weave this into our lives all year long and not just for one turkey filled weekend?  Gratitude is a state of feeling grateful towards something or someone, and it comes from the Latin word “gratus” which mean pleasing, agreeable and thankful – so to be grateful is to be filled with thanks.  

Alyson Jones, MA, RCC-ACS Registered Clinical Counsellor

We are all so saddened by the tragedy at the Lupa Lupa Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025.  When these shocking things happen, we need to come together and support each other as that is the basis of community and compassion.  We need to meet the worst of humanity with the best of humanity.

So how do we help our young people feel secure when our world has been shaken?  How do we help children make sense of something that does not make sense to us?  There is much we will need to process around this horrific event, but here are some tips to help yourself and your children as we respond to the aftermath of this tragedy.

Alyson Jones appeared on CTV on Dec 21, 2022 to discuss challenges and solutions for “Navigating Family Dynamics Over the Holidays”. This article provides a summary of what is discussed. But, please feel free to watch the video on CTVNews.ca.

The winter struggle is real — and if it feels like your headaches have kicked into high gear just in time for the holidays, you’re not alone. Weather-related headaches are more common than you might think, with migraines affecting women three times more often than men. The good news? There are ways to be proactive in preventing future headaches — and in cases where there’s no stopping it, you do have some options for managing the symptoms.