Children's Book About Lockdown Drills_edited.jpg

You can be the calm in a scary moment.

Help your child feel safe, confident, and connected during school lockdown drills.

This honest, age-appropriate picture book gives you the words - and the peace of mind - you've been looking for.

Order Now

Listen, Run, Hide

Talking to your child about lockdown drills shouldn't feel this hard.

If you've ever wondered what to say - or worried about saying the wrong thing - you're not alone.

Many parents want to support their kids but feel stuck between being honest and not scaring them.

This book bridges that gap.

Picture book about lockdown drills_edite

A picture book that's clear, comforting and just right for young children.

This book was created for families like yours - parents who care deeply and want to do this right.

Instead of metaphors or fiction, it offers:

- Simple, honest language

- Safety-first focus (not just rules or obedience)

- Conversation prompts for after you read

- Easy application to your child's daily life

Mrs. Paula Simcox, first grade teacher of 25 years

"This picture book gives teachers, librarians, school administrators, counselors, and parents a safe and non-threatening way to bring up a difficult subject."

About the Author

Meet the Mom Who Wrote the Book

Hi, I'm Emily Romrell. I'm a mom to young kids - and I know how heavy it feels when the world changes faster than we can explain it to them.

When my oldest was starting kindergarten, I knew she'd need me as she experienced lockdown drills. I searched everywhere for a book to help but nothing felt right.

So I wrote the one I knew we needed.

You're the one your child looks to for safety.

Let this book help you show up with calm, clear support.

Order your copy today and start the conversation with confidence.

When we tell kids someone is coming by to check the lock and who that will be, we connect the dots for them ahead of time.

This is one simple way to reduce the emotional toll of lockdown drills on young people.

So easy, yet so overlooked.

If you need help or encouragement to ask your child’s principal to start doing this, my DMs are always open. 💕

#momsofinstagram #parenting #lockdown #schoolday

“What happens if I’m stuck in the hallway?”

This question gnawed at my stomach as the time grew closer for me to send my oldest to kindergarten. And I had zero idea how to answer it.

I mean, I’d heard all the suggestions…

“Go to the bathroom, climb on the toilet, and hide in a stall.”

“Go into another classroom.”

And then there’s always this helpful little nugget, “that probably won’t happen.”

So when I had @kateschweit’s attention with her decades of experience, you can bet I asked her.

Her answer was, if there is a known danger in the school, and the child can’t get somewhere safe (with a locked door between them and danger), it is likely safer for them to leave the school altogether.

This answer can make some grownups nervous because leaving school obviously comes with its own risk. But when you consider the situation we are discussing, leaving the school is likely worth that risk.

This is one way my children’s picture book is unique compared to all others. I knew parents like you need more than just, “for a lockdown drill go in the corner and be quiet.”

You need something that addresses the hard questions that we are all thinking but not asking. Or sometimes a kid IS asking them and then we flounder.

So, thanks to help from real experts in lockdown drills at the time of drafting, my book helps your conversation address real concerns you and your kid have. It’s at the link in my bio.

Your child’s safety matters. Give them your permission to put their physical wellbeing first.

How have you answered challenging questions about lockdowns?

#momsofinstagram #safetyfirst #teachingkids #parenting #kidslit #childrensbook

This isn’t an exact quote but a friend recently said something like this to me.

Before she chased her so down, she had the wisdom to ask her older son if they had done a drill that day. They had - a “code red” (lockdown).

When she caught up to her son, she first spent time reconnecting with him. When he was calmer, she brought up the drill.

It had freaked him out. His school practices surprise drills (not recommended by industry experts) and he was both scared and confused.

My friend handled it like a champ and focused on being there for him - whether or not she had the right words.

Looking back, she is certain that his unusual behavior of running away was directly linked to the stress of the lockdown drill.

So this is your friendly reminder… I hope your kid’s school tells you before they run a drill. And then, around the time of the practice, your child may behave in ways you don’t expect.

Maybe they’ll need more from you, maybe they’ll push you away, maybe they’ll pick on a sibling, maybe they’ll melt down over something small.

You aren’t alone if lockdown drills rock them (or you) a little or a lot. 🧡

Did you notice something like this in your kid? Share it with me in the comments!

#backtoschool #fall2025 #motherhood #momsofinstagram #momsofig

❓ “Do you tell students and families that a lockdown drill is going to happen?”

🧠 Telling students that a drill is a drill removes trauma, builds trust for real emergencies, and is strongly recommended by SRO and other organizations.

Plus it gives families a chance to connect before and after the exercise, adding vital support for children doing them.

❓”During the drill, do you check that door locks function? If so, who does that?”

🧠 Students who are participating in a drill will hear the doorknob jiggle. I’ve had many students tell me their school jiggled the locks so “they’d know what a real lockdown would be like.” 😭

Find out who checks the locks and then tell your child the plan. This way you connect the dots for them in a less traumatic way beforehand.

❓”How do you end the drill?”

🧠 Best practice is to specifically state that the school is done drilling for the whole day. This removes confusion should an emergency need to be called that same day for any reason.

Follow along for more tips on how to support your kid as they grow up with gun violence and lockdown drills. 🧡

#momsofinstagram #momsofig #motherhood #parenting #parentlife

Knowing how much to tell your kid is so personal. If ever you need a sounding board, I’m always happy to chat it through in my DMs. 🫶

Did you tell your kids about this week’s shooting? Did they hear about it elsewhere?

#momshelpingmoms #momsofig #youngkids

I tried to go live to talk about today’s preventable shooting.

But I have a lot to say and I am lost for words at the same time - you know?

At the end of the day, I’m just heartbroken that two more families lost kids to gun violence at school today. Two beds are empty tonight.

And many more are wounded.

I’m thankful to the many, many people who make it their life’s work to push for better gun laws to make this stop.

Because it. Has. To. Stop.

If you didn’t know already, from its inception I’m donating all profits from my book to gun violence prevention efforts - including my fee as author and publisher.

I didn’t write this book to get rich.

I wrote it because I needed it to help me talk with my own kids. Now it’s available if you need it to.

Through story, it walks you and your child through a lockdown drill - hopefully giving you the language and knowledge you need.

You can find it at the link in my bio.

Hope you are taking care of yourself. 🧡

When your school tells you they are going to have a lockdown drill BEFORE they have one, it empowers you to do two things:

🧡Talk to the school about your child’s specific needs - and ask them to make accommodations if needed.

🧡 Think through how you want to show up for your kid that day. Including what you want to say or ask them.

If your school STILL isn’t announcing drills in advance I’ve got an email all drafted up for you!

It’s been used in a few schools already and helps get the discussion moving in the right direction.

I’ve included links to respected organizations—like the National Association of School Resource Officers and the American Academy of Pediatrics—that all recommend advance announcements for drills.

If you need it comment “drill” and I’ll DM it to you. (It’s really me DMing you so if it takes a short bit for me to get it to you that’s why. Lol)

You shouldn’t be blindsided and your child shouldn’t be mislead into thinking they’re in real danger.

P.S. In my children’s book, I give parents the words for talking to kids about these drills once they’re announced. [link in bio]

#momstagram #momsofinstagram #parenthood

I had some DMs asking about the lockdown drill book that also mentions duck and cover drills.

It’s One Thursday Afternoon by @barbara_dilorenzo_books!

It really digs in to the emotional side of lockdown drills.

#authorillustrator #kidslit #backtoshool

When my oldest started school, I went looking for a book to help me explain lockdown drills in a way she could understand—without terrifying her.

Almost every book I found used metaphors: “A bear is coming to take your lunch, what should you do?” or “Pretend there’s a monster in the hallway.”

Here’s the problem:

Kids are so literal. If they’ve only practiced what to do when they see a scary bear, they likely won’t think to do those same things if they see a scary person. Because, ya know, a person is not a bear…

By dancing around the real issue, you’ll be teaching your kid the topic is too big FOR YOU. When they do learn the real reason behind lockdown drills, they will have already seen you talking about every problem besides the real one. They’ll stick to talking to their friends instead.

You want to be honest with your kids. That’s why I wrote my book the way I did—clear, direct, and safe for even the youngest learners.

📖 You can find it at the link in bio.

#kidslit #childrenspicturebooks

I’m still filled with gratitude that my friend and her daughter are both ok!

You can get the exact book at the link in my bio.

#housefire #emergencyresponse #emergencypreparedness #parenting #momsofig #momsofinstagram

When my youngest is sad, she asks for a “warm hug.”

During afternoon thunderstorms my son looks for his Dad.

My oldest gets anxious at night and the biggest help is if she “can hear Mom and Dad watching a show.” LOL.

When kids feel scared, they look for connection first.

That bond is what lets them regulate their emotions and process what’s happening.

Lockdown drills are no different.

The more connected your child feels to you, the more supported they’ll feel navigating them.

That’s why my book is about so much more than drills—it’s about building that connection before, during, and after the hard stuff. [link in bio]
#backtoschool #momlife #parenting #momsofinstagram

This line from an @npr interview with @kateschweit connected synapses in my brain.

She was right! I did talk to my kids about all kinds of dangers.

Except the one that scared me the most.

If you struggle with talks of gun violence, I’ve been there. So here are a couple of my top tips:

1) think of the conversation as really just encouraging them to prioritize their own safety- above rules, above being polite, above social norms. They are more important than all of it.

2) the term “bad guy” does just fine. No need to mention the weapon.

3) it’s ok to say “I am not sure. Let me find out.”

4) you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be THERE.

You’ve got this! 😘

#american #raisingkids

I did not! I mean, I think I remember having one or two lockdown drills but for the most part, no.

I did grow up doing LOTS of earthquake drills because I lived on a fault line and we were “due for the big one.”

What drills do you remember doing?

#backtoschool #momsofinstagram #momlife

LIVE with @ekj1206! We talk:

- how her son inaccurately thought he had experienced a school shooting for two years 😩

- the impact of her school district’s policy to run unannounced drills 🤦‍♀️

- how she is trying to make things better for her kids 🥹

#backtoschool #informedparents #schooldays

A few scripts to help you nail this convo! 👊

#backtoschool #parents #kindergarten #firstgrade #secondgrade

A friend recently told me she was surprised to learn her young son believed some classmates had been shot a few years back while he was in the school building!

After some clarifying questions, she learned a classmate told him this story. It seems the story originated during a lockdown drill, where rumors quickly spread among the 5 year olds that it wasn’t a drill. 😱

I know it sucks to think about this.

And it sucks even more to talk to a child about it.

But when you talk to your kid about the lockdown drill they experience, you can correct any misunderstandings they may have.

And if there is anything I’ve learned from doing author visits to schools, it’s that kids commonly misunderstand their drill.

Even when the teachers are super clear about it being practice.

Following up at home is critical.

I created my children’s picture book exactly for you - the parent who knows you should talk about this but isn’t sure how.

You can find it at the link in my bio!

#backtoschooltips #backtoschool2025📚✏️ #parentlife #momlife

The biggest reason lockdown drills should be announced ahead of time is to avoid traumatizing our children, obviously! 🤦‍♀️

But it also has the amazing additional benefit of giving families a chance to connect through a lockdown drill and provide vital support to the child.

Not sure how you’d do that? I wrote my book for you, the parent who knows supporting your child is critical, but is also not quite sure what to say or not say. 😬🫶

Grab your copy at the link in my bio!

Shout out to @ekj1206 who is leading an effort to try to change Cobb County’s policy so lockdown drills will be announced to ALL teachers, staff, students, and families!

Tag your Cobb county friends and family! DM Emma linked above if you are in the area.

It’s time for a change. 👊

#cobbcounty #cobbcountyschools #backtoschool #parentsofinstagram

I’m *pretty* sure these are super outdated, right? Let’s take a roll call. Comment below to let me know how your school does it:

❤️ = no simulated drills in your life

😱 = simulated drills are happening!

#schoolteacher #teachersofig #teachersofinstagram #principalsofig #principalsofinstagram #schoolprincipal #momsofinstagram #momsofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 23:

Other ways I’ve seen this and how to fix it.

- A second grader told me that when they came back from evacuating after a fire drill, the school smelled different.

Solution… We explored why that could have been - the alarm was dusty, the janitor opened the broiler room, etc. It was not because there was a fire. ☺️

- A high schooler told me they “jiggle the doorknobs” during lockdown drills and it made him think of what it would be like to be in a real lockdown.

Solution… schools should tell students WHY they are jiggling locks (to make sure it’s not broken) and WHO is doing it.

How have you seen confusion around drills?

#elementaryteachers #teachersofig #principalsofinstagram #teachersofinstagram #schoolcounselor

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 22:

On the day of the Parkland shooting, there had been a fire drill earlier in the day. This caused confusion when the shooting first began. People were not sure if it was another drill or a real emergency.

This is such a simple change to our drilling practice yet it adds imense clarity and transparency.

Does your school know to end their lockdown drills with this vital statement? Mine didn’t until I told them about Parkland and now they do!

#schoolcounselor #schoolprincipal #principalsofinstagram #schooladministrator #counselorsofinstagram

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 21:

AARs are pretty straight forward. Just answer these questions to improve readiness.

On a lighter note, I think I’ll start implementing AARs for outings with my family.

Leaving a restaurant, “What was supposed to happen, kids? Aaaaand…. what actually happened?” 😂🫠

Where in your personal life could you use an AAR?

#principalsofinstagram #principalsofig #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 20:

It’s really about drilling SMARTER not harder.

My child’s school had not considered the need for an After Action Review (AAR) until I asked them about it. Now they do them regularly which makes their drills more effective!

Do you know if your child’s school does them? Would you feel comfortable asking?

#schoolprincipal #principalsofinstagram #principalsofig #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #schooladministrator

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 19:

What reasons would you add to the list above?

Read all six reasons that drills should be announced in advance at the blog post at the link in my bio called, “Should Lockdown Drills be Announced? Experts Say Yes - Here’s Why.”

#backtoschool #fall #schoolsupplies #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #elementaryteacher #schooladmin #schooladministrators
#parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 18:

My most viral reel ever was one where I said lockdown drills should be announced. And it went, as they say, “viral for the wrong reasons.” 😂 Tons of folks upset with me and calling me names. 🤦‍♀️

But… the evidence supports ANNOUNCED drills so I’m just gonna keep saying it until/if that ever changes (which I doubt will ever happen)… 🤷‍♀️

Read more about this at the link in my bio under the blogpost called, “Should Lockdown Drills be Announced? Experts Say Yes - Here’s Why.” It also has links to the official statements I’m referencing in the graphics above.

How do you typically learn that your child will or has participated in a drill?

#backtoschool #fall #schoolsupplies #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #elementaryteacher
#parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Lockdown Drill Post no 17:

In bootcamp this week we are discussing all of this and more so follow along to learn and join the conversation!

Also, hang with me… this is our most information-dense week of the bootcamp!

If this were legit bootcamp, this would be “hell week.”

Stick it out and the last week or so will be a little slower. Thanks for being here! 🫶

#backtoschool #fall #schoolsupplies #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #elementaryteacher
#parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 16:

What would you add?

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 15:

Reassuring your child is less about making promises, and more about letting them know they aren’t alone.

It’s also about making sure they have an accurate understanding of what they did and, perhaps more importantly, did NOT experience.

Remind your child that drills are just practice.

They were not in danger while at school.

It was a pretend exercise for us to learn from.

We do all kinds of things “just in case.” (See my last post for more on this.)

Share and save for later!

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 14:

This simple shift could be life-saving.

And its one of the biggest thing that sets my children’s picture book apart from others on the market. It doesn’t just teach the steps of a lockdown - it teaches that your child’s physical safety is more important than rules and social behavior! (You can get it at the link in my bio 😉)

With this in mind, those emergency doors at the grocery store are no longer “off limits, never touch those” and instead become, “in an emergency go there to get out.”

And if I’m picking out my produce and your four year old opens the door and sets off the alarm because you didn’t to teach her to “never ever touch those” I won’t be mad. 😘

What other social norm are you modifying the way you teach it to your child so they prioritize their safety?

#backtoschool #fall #schoolsupplies #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #elementaryteacher
#parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

CAPTION: Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 13:

We do so many things for safety! Have you ever thought about it?

- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout our home,
- Safety training prior to an airplane taking off,
- Drills for earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc (again, some emergencies are more common than others),
- Fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink (you have one, right? RIGHT?),
- Life jackets when boating even though we can swim,

What would you add?

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 12:

We can’t let our kids be alone with their experiences with gun violence and honestly, we shouldn’t be alone either. Because raising kids with school shootings is scary. So tell me, who are you here for? Who do you love that is experiencing lockdown drills?

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 11:

Here are some things you may say to provide your child with reassurance as you talk about lockdown drills and shootings…

💖 The drill you did today was just a practice. You were totally safe.

💖 We practice for all kinds of emergencies because we like to be prepared even though emergencies are very rare.

💖 Doing a drill doesn’t mean we think an emergency will happen.

💖 Schools are very safe.

💖 What other things can you think of that we do “just in case?”

💖 I’m always thinking of your safety when I send you places.

💖 Your school is really safe. I like that they [list safety aspects you appreciate].

We’ll be talking more about providing reassurance next week!

Was this helpful? Share and save for later!

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 10:

A wise child therapist recently shared this idea with me. It is especially applicable to kids who are extra smart!

A child with above-average cognitive development may be able to understand and discuss ideas in a way that is advanced for their age. So it becomes the caregivers responsibility to remember the child’s emotional maturity and adjust the conversation accordingly.

Just because your child can comprehend and discuss something, doesn’t mean they are ready to, or that it is appropriate for them to, hold that idea at this time.

Do you know a child that is cognitively advanced for their age? Tell me who and how you see it! 👇

#therapythoughts #childdevelopmenttips #parentsofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 9:

Being honest but avoiding graphic detail when talking to kids about lockdown drills can feel tricky at first. But it’s actually pretty straight forward if you think about it.

Here are some suggestions that will help you be both honest and age-appropriate.

When teaching lockdown drills, some well-meaning adults have used metaphors (such as superhero battles, animals coming to steal lunches, etc,). Avoid these though to maintain your child’s trust and ensure they are learning the intended safety lesson.

We adults refer to the perpetrator by their weapon (“shooter”). This adds graphic detail that your child doesn’t need to know. I like to simply call them “a bad guy.”

Don’t feel like you have to inform them of past or current events, especially if they are fortunate enough that their life hasn’t been touched by a school shooting. Instead, focus on lockdown DRILLS and how we like to prepare for many types of (very unlikely) emergencies.

And remember to consider your child’s emotional maturity (not just cognitive) when deciding what to share.

Have you struggled with the balance of being honest and age-appropriate?

See my post before this one for tip number one and follow along for tip number three!

#backtoschool #fall #schoolsupplies #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #elementaryteacher #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 8:

Here are several open-ended questions you may ask after your child experiences a lockdown drill:

❔What did you / your friends / your teacher do during the drill?

❔How did you feel during or after the drill?

❔What did your friends say about the drill?

❔How would you explain the drill to a new student who had never done one before?

❔Did anything surprise you?

❔Is there anything you wish had been different?

❔How are you feeling now?

Share if you found this helpful!

And follow for tips 2 and 3 later this week!

#backtoschool #fall #schoolsupplies #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #elementaryteacher #parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 7:

When you talk to your kid about gun violence or lockdown drills, are you joining them in THEIR experience? Or accidentally pulling them into YOUR experience?

It’s very possible for kids, especially young kids, to be unaware of violence on school property. Especially if they live away from where it occurred.

Supporting your child means you learn where they are with an issue, correct any misunderstandings they may have, and leave the door open for more conversations in the future.

It’s ok if there is a disconnect between what you know and are experiencing, and what they know and are experiencing. Thats part of making sure our conversation is age appropriate!

This week we’ll be diving into the top tips for talking to kids about hard topics and applying what we learn to lockdown drills. It’ll be helpful to keep the distinction between ours and theirs experiences in mind!

What have you noticed about your kids awareness as to why they do drills? Or, what do you remember from your personal experience growing up?

#backtoschool #fall #schoolsupplies #teacher #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #elementaryteacher #parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 6:

Mrs. Hraban goes on to say, “By having conversations parents are able to answer questions, listen to concerns, and calm worries.”

The ability of a loving caregiver to buffer a life stressor in a young child’s life is amazing!

This week we explored the benefits of supporting a child in hard realities. Next week we’ll review what experts say to do and what not to do when talking to kids about hard topics.

Do you remember a time an adult helped you through something challenging, small or big, as a kid?

#momsofinstagram #momlife #schoolcounselor #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #schoolcounselors #parenting

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 5:

Sometimes people (mistakenly) think my passion for helping families talk about lockdown drills comes from an anxious belief that if we simply teach our kids the right thing we can guarantee their safety.

That’s not it.

And while I do think instruction does save lives at times, instruction is not the solution to school shootings. Passing public policy that keeps guns out of the hands of people who want to shoot children is the next step that would have the largest positive impact.

Also, overemphasizing the ability for instruction to keep us safe can be insulting to victims. It begins to shift the blame onto them.

The real reason I’m passionate about helping families talk about drills is because science has shown children handle chronic, toxic stress BETTER with an adult than without one.

If your child attends a school in the USA, chances are good school shootings or lockdown drills will be a part of their experience to some extent.

The question becomes, will they have your support?

These three goals keep caregivers focused on what matters and what the child needs to take away from the conversation.

#parenting #parentsofig #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 4:

Tomorrow we’ll talk about the three “goals” I recommend for you as you talk to your kid about drills.

Have you noticed the physiological impacts you have on your kid? Tell me about it! 👇

#momlife #momsofinstagram #dadsofinstgram #parenting #backtoschool

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 3:

Recently I did a “quick dip” (like a “deep dive” but for lay people 😆) into the research assessing biological differences in animals depending on the care they received from their parent(s)/mother. It was wild!

I can’t adequately summarize this science but the sections below in quotes are from the abstract of the source I share later on in this caption:

Variations in maternal care in rats “alter the expression of genes that regulate behavioral and endocrine responses to stress…”

(The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that produce and release hormones.)

“… as well as hippocampus synaptic development.”

(Hippocampus is a part of the brain that plays a vital role in learning, memory, and emotion.)

“These effects form the basis for the development of stable, individual differences in stress reactivity and certain forms of cognition.”

If you are looking for a quick dip or a deep dive, the following resource was a good starting point for me. It is from 2001 so be sure to check out more current studies by searching for where it has been cited.

Maternal Care, Gene Expression, and the Transmission of Individual Differences in Stress Reactivity Across Generations by Michael J. Meaney.

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 2:

Here are some adverse experiences that the report mentions outright:

- abuse,

- bullying,

- disasters,

- separation of immigrant children from their parents,

- poverty,

- racism,

- social isolation,

- exposure to neighborhood violence, and

- neglect.

Several of these are sometimes referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).

Would you add growing up with school shootings to this list? Why or why not?

Citation: Andrew Garner, Michael Yogman; COMMITTEE ON PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH, SECTION ON DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS, COUNCIL ON EARLY CHILDHOOD, Preventing Childhood Toxic Stress: Partnering With Families and Communities to Promote Relational Health. Pediatrics August 2021; 148 (2): e2021052582. 10.1542/peds.2021-052582

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no. 1:

Throughout this week, I’ll be sharing more of what this research says, as well as citing other experts, on the need for SSNR to buffer toxic stress. Follow along to learn more!

Did you know that relationships can buffer the biological changes that occur with stress AND build resilience? Have you seen this within your own relationships?

#backtoschool #fall #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Hi! My name is Emily. I’m a mom to three young kids (and one 👼) and an author. I studied elementary education in college and began exploring how we talk to kids about hard topics at that time.

As my oldest prepared for kindergarten, I knew her life was about to be touched by our gun violence crisis in the form of lockdown drills. How could I support her? I wasn’t sure because the thought of something happening at school paralyzed me with fear.

I checked out all the books I could find but was still longing for something different. I needed something HONEST, but NOT scary, that ANSWERED HARD QUESTIONS beyond just “go in the corner, be quiet, and hope for the best.” 🥴

I needed something that empowered my daughter to prioritize her safety above all else.

This resource needed to exist so I spearheaded the project. Thankfully, several people in the field of active shooting response reviewed my work and gave insight, including the creator of the FBI’s active shooter program, @kateschweit. Her attention to this book, as well as the input of others, ensures it is in line with best practices!

Along the route to create this book, I learned so much about lockdown drills and even a bit about prevention. So from now through the fall we are chatting about it all - why it’s important and how to talk to kids about drills, best practices for drills, how to speak up if change is needed, and more!

I’ll always use my voice, pen, fingertips, and thumbs to speak about issues that are important to me. Given that I wrote a book about school sho*tings, having better laws that keep us safe from people who want to use guns to hurt others is obviously important to me.

Oh and this photo is from one of my favorite days when I was surprised with the BEA Friend of Education award in 2024! 🥹I was nominated by several school librarians after I gave public testimony and used newspaper op-Ed’s to ensure facts were included in the decision making process at my local schools and that fear didn’t drive policy.

I’d love to hear what this brings up for you! 💬👇

I’m always surprised how upset people online get when I say LOCKDOWN DRILLS SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE! 📣

Here are some reasons why, but you can find additional information and reputable sources on my most recent blog post.

Link in my bio!

#americanschools #lockdowndrill #teachertips #principal #publicschools

Watch this live and notice what an absolute treat it is that we have @theswimmingowl in this world!

She created her coloring book because when the world is heavy and dark she wants people to “have a soft place to land.” 🥹

It was so fun to see the artist behind the project and learn about her purpose!

You can buy a digital or hard copy of Charming Escape at her website in her bio!

Thank you, Melanie, for sharing your art with us! Please keep it up!

#launchday #coloringbooks #coloringbookforadults #noaiart #handdrawnart #supportartists

I’d love to have you join me on Friday to chat with my good friend Melanie! 🎨

The idea for this live happened organically.

Yesterday we were chatting my cover dilemma (if you’ve seen my stories, you get it!) and that morphed into chatting her new release on Friday. 🥳🎉🥂

I had so many questions and her answers were fascinating…

The coloring book is called Charming Escape. What’s the meaning behind the title?

What inspired this book? What’s its purpose?

What’s it like selling art for a living, especially with the political chaos lately? 🫠

Join me as we take a look at the behind the scenes of her new product ON ITS VERY LAUNCH DAY! 😁🤩

#BookLaunch #ColoringBook #BehindTheScenes #ArtTalk #SmallBusinessSupport #WomenInBusiness #ArtistInterview #IndieArtist #LaunchDayLove #ColorYourWorld #JoinUsLive #InstagramLive #CreativeCommunity

Thank you for having me @mtschoolcounselorassociation! It was a lovely experience and I hope your conference continues fantastically!

*******

Presenting at their spring conference went so well!

We discussed a lot of things including:

✅ general best practices for armed intruder training,

✅ tips for talking to young kids about lockdown drills, and

✅ how the school can better equip families to handle these convos like champs! 👊

Thanks to all of you who cheered me on as I tried something new!!!

#presenter #schoolcounselor #usaschools

Look at all of these beautiful books and bookmarks going to second graders this week thanks to @masterlube!

Through the Sponsor a School program, I witness the priorities of each organization to whom I pitch in real time.

Does it give you hope and make your heart warm when I tell you some organizations are actively considering how they can help their community?

They are trying to be profitable, sure. But they are also saying, “what do we have to share? And how can we help those around us?”

I pitched to @masterlube because they have a reputation as a builder of my community. I was not disappointed!

I left that meeting confident that they care about families and school children in my town. It was those values that motivated their generous donation!

Thank you, @masterlube, for helping over 100 families better support their children as they experience lockdown drills!

(Side note, I’ve been a longtime customer of masterlube and I love them! They change my oil quick enough that I don’t even have to unbuckle my kids! That is such a treat at this phase of life!)

#authorlife #authorsofinstagram #momlife #momsofinstagram

For the first time ever, someone in Canada bought my book.

I was surprised when I saw the order come in.

And then I wondered if they bought it to help families talk about lockdown drills in Canada or if they bought it to add to their collection on USA culture. 🤔

I included a little note thanking them for doing business with me and apologizing for President Trump’s trade war. 😆 #allies #neighbors #canada #internationalmarket

And I learned that shipping my book to Canada costs $26! I’ll have to change my $4-ish international shipping charge. 🫠

So much of this journey has been a dive in and learn experience. It is fun to feel like I’m growing and tweaking my business a little more each day! #smallbusiness #indieauthor #selfpublishing #kidslit

What is something you “learned as you went?”

Someone in a suburb of Madison ordered my book this morning. 😭 I debated including this note. Is it unprofessional to get a note alluding to current events in an amazon order? Will they be offended or give my product a poor review?

I decided to err on the side of kindness and authenticity. My heart IS with any parent in Madison or elsewhere that is grappling with the consequences of regular school shootings. 💔

#authorsofinstagram #parentsupport #raisingkids #americanmom #endgunviolence

(On a lighter note, this sticky may make it seem like I’m a super cool, professional author, but do not be deceived! Thirty years ago my Dad gave me that sticky pad when I was like six. It has moved with me across country and back. … And sadly, it’s almost out.)

THANK YOU to @rockymountaincollege for Sponsoring a school!!

100 copies of Listen, Run, Hide and safety-themed bookmarks are ready to go to 95 second graders in Billings! The remaining five copies will be offered to the librarian and teachers for their use or distribution.

It has been amazing to see the community rally behind our kids who are experiencing lockdown drills to ensure they have supportive resources at home too! Today, I’m feeling very thankful to RMC for their generosity and care for our community.

If you are interested in sponsoring a school, or have an idea of someone or an organization that may be, please let me know!

(I’m focusing on my own local community but if you are somewhere else and have interest, let me know! I’d be happy to look into running a similar effort in your area sometime soon.)

#billingscommunity #montanabusiness #billingsleaders #booksforkids #educationmatters #corporategiving #billingsmontana #billingsmt #localgiving #investinkids #businessforgood #sponsoraschool

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