Images of law enforcement officers with weapons raised, terrified young people with their arms in the air, and horrified parents with anguished expressions. 

These are the pictures that splash across America's screens when there is a shooting inside a school, mall or movie theater. It's all too tragic and far too familiar. 

In the aftermath of such traumatic events, kids can struggle to make sense of what happened and suffer physically and emotionally. As a parent, it's important that you be there for your children and be aware of any atypical behaviors they express.  

To help get your children through a traumatic event, remember:

• Everyone responds differently to trauma. Thankfully, most children and teens are resilient. Even though it was a horrible experience, most will bounce back on their own.
• Children with emotional or behavioral problems may be more affected by what happened. Their exposure to news about an event should be limited, and you should monitor their behaviors for weeks and even months after the incident.