You wake up and turn on your television to a more recent tragedy, replacing the heinous headline from just a few days ago.

October 1, 2017- the worst mass murder in U.S. history since 9/11. Your whole family stares in disbelief because this has become such a brutal reality. It seems that every few weeks the world is burdened with yet another disaster.

In recent news, there have been two fatal shootings in the past few days alone. One, a man called his apparent co-workers for a “meeting” before work in Maryland, Delaware, leaving three dead and three others injured from his handgun. And two, in Aliso Viejo on Tuesday, a 26-year-old man shot and killed his father and his father’s girlfriend, leaving two others wounded in the same home.

A question arises: How is this ‘normalcy’ of gun violence and terrorism affecting children’s mental health?

Growing up, I wasn’t aware of the many terrible things that happened in the world around me. It wasn’t until 7th grade that I realized how scary the world really is. Even as an adolescent, it can be hard to comprehend the motives and actions of a terrorist; but, for children in elementary school, who don’t even know their multiplication facts, how are these catastrophic news stories influencing unnecessary fear into children’s life?

As an older sister, I have witnessed some of the fictional fears my 9-year-old brother has had, such as sleeping with monsters under his bed; but, today, that “monster” has become an intruding gunman lingering in the shadows while he sleeps. News stories and constant tragedies are introducing unnecessary paranoia into children’s daily lives. Never did I question another human’s intentions at his age. The juvenile world is becoming corrupted and its innocence tainted. It only takes one news story to change the way a child thinks or acts.

It is unreal how traumatizing it can really be to witness some of the terrible events occurring in the modern day and age. Some children are afraid of sleeping without a nightlight and being left home alone; and, I believe that being exposed to such horrors at a young age can alter one’s mind, contributing to his or her distress.

It’s insanely traumatizing to have to wonder if you are safe in your own school or home, especially with such unexpected tragedies happening worldwide almost weekly; but, how can we prevent such pessimistic thinking about terrorism and shootings?

I suggest sitting down with your siblings, friends, and parents, to discuss potential safety plans in any situation or place. Express your feelings and concerns, and talk about them reasonably. The time and place for things like this are unpredictable, so you must always be prepared by keeping possible noxious outcomes in mind in every situation.

Be serious and cautious when addressing these subjects, and speak with a sense of sincerity. Try to water down news stories, making children less likely to feel concerned or scared. We need to make these things aware to them, but not in a way where they are uncomfortable talking about it.

Approach these hardships regardless of opinion, because our nation needs to know that terrorism might be common, but it surely isn’t anything close to normal.

When tragedies like this occur, you don’t always have to understand them, but taking action for your future and accepting the past is the key to moving forward. Expect the best, but prepare for the worst.