For many parents, news of a school shooting does not end when the headline fades. It can follow them into meetings, emails, deadlines, and daily responsibilities.
In the Forbes feature, Dr. Rocker discusses how traumatic events can create emotional distress even when someone is not directly involved. Parents may feel distracted, anxious, overwhelmed, or unable to focus while worrying about their children’s safety.
This kind of emotional weight is not weakness. It is a human response to fear, uncertainty, and the deep responsibility parents feel for protecting their families.