I don’t really know how to begin this post. Last Friday, December 14 a young man shot on his way into an elementary school and killed 20 children and 6 adults, and the world hasn’t been the same since. I don’t have to tell you more about what happened; you know. I don’t have to highlight all the conversations we need to be having now, because you know that too. I thought about skipping this blog this week — how can I focus on top tweets of the past week in light of what happened? — but where do you draw the line? Would I skip next week, too? The next week? Life will never return to normal for some people affected by the tragedy, and I can’t begin to imagine how they feel. The rest of us will try to go back to our routines, and eventually we will. So I’m writing this post, in an attempt to get back into a routine, as a way to make the world seem a little bit safe again. Social media is a weird, new, sometimes sterile-feeling thing, but in times of crisis it allows us to show our care for one another like nothing that has come before it, and as always, it allows us to connect. Here’s a small sampling of ways in which we’ve been connecting since Friday. Here’s what we did on Twitter when we didn’t know what to do.
To folks sending us reminders + pitches, no matter how friendly, we’re taking a break until tomorrow. We hope you understand. #SandyHook — Cool Mom Picks (@coolmompicks) December 14, 2012
We took a break from work and knew others would understand (and would hopefully be doing the same).
How to Help Families in Newtown After the Shooting patch.com/A-0ykK — CarrollGardens Patch (@CarrollGPatch) December 17, 2012
We shared ways to help families in Newtown.
I worked from home this morning so I could see my little girl when she got home from pre-k. — Kathleen Schmidt (@Bookgirl96) December 17, 2012
We made small adjustments to our lives.
As your kids went back to school this morning, did you talk with them about #Newtown? Here, some talking tips: bit.ly/12qf1vb — Working Mother (@_workingmother_) December 17, 2012
We offered advice about how to talk to our kids about what happened.
Being a Parent, and Talking with your kid about Connecticut #newtown dads.to/UBKLIt — Playground Dad (@playgrounddad) December 17, 2012
And we offered more advice, because how can you ever be prepared?
Sesame Street teaches kids how to deal with loss. (sobfest) jezebel.com/5968953/your-m… — Jessica Shyba (@MommasGoneCity) December 17, 2012
We relied on help from others to help our kids.
“What children need to hear most is that we will do all we can to keep them safe.” -Mr. Rogers on talking about tragedy goo.gl/Jro8U — TheAtlanticHealth (@TheAtlanticHLTH) December 14, 2012
We relied on help from others to help ourselves.
Listening to the President recite the names of the kids who died is just too much to bear. Too much. — SelfishMom (@SelfishMom) December 17, 2012
We laid our most honest emotions on the table and admitted how much we are hurting.
Just poured my thoughts & heart out onto the page. Not sure where it will end up. I need to go fortify with greasy food & 6 year old hugs. — Avital N. Nathman (@TheMamaFesto) December 16, 2012
We took care of ourselves any way we knew how and we hugged our kids.
Not sure how to sign off today. Still feeling so heartbroken, shocked, sad. Our thoughts & prayers continue to be with all Newtown families. — NY Metro Parents (@NYMetroParents) December 14, 2012
We sent thoughts and prayers to the Newtown community, and we’ll continue to do so. In the end, we all tried our best to keep going, because what else can we do? Join us on Mondays for more Top Tweets. In the meantime, follow us @NYMetroParents for practical parenting advice, local events in the NY Metro area, exclusive deals and discounts, and occasionally hilarious staff banter. If you want us to consider your tweet for next week, tag it #nymptt; if you see a tweet that deserves a mention let us know.
