Kristin Nelson shares why it’s important for parents to support their children.
A few weeks ago, hundreds of high school students – including my own children — walked out of class to protest gun violence. As a parent, and as someone who has spent two decades working in school-based mental health and administration, that moment became an unexpected lesson. To be honest, I didn’t want my kids to join the walkout.
After a recent incident on campus, the chaos surrounding it, and my own parental fears, I questioned whether the walkout could be safe, organized, or effective. I encouraged them to consider alternatives: meet with school leaders in the library, attend a school board meeting, request action through formal channels. Those remain important avenues.
But watching our students move as one — peacefully, powerfully, and with purpose — I realized how deeply they felt the urgency. The very youth I’ve spent my career serving became my teachers once again. Their collective action reminded me of something we, as adults, too often forget: youth voice is one of our best sources of truth and direction. When they speak in unison, it reflects a reality we haven’t been willing, or able, to confront. Schools are not isolated institutions. They are mirrors.
The fear, trauma and violence in our communities inevitably show up in our classrooms and hallways. Every day, school administrators, teachers, security staff, custodians, and front office workers show up to care for our children — often with limited resources and under extraordinary pressure. Can we improve safety, prevention, and supervision on school campuses? Absolutely. And we should.