Southport mum- back to school

[Supermum1234567]

We live in Southport and are incredibly lucky to have not been directly affected by the recent attacks. We do know quite a few people who have been, including one of the poor girls who lost her life who was in my DDs year at school.
We made the decision to tell my 7yo DD the facts about the attack, and that the girl she knows has died. She has been very upset in the last few weeks, she is asking lots of questions and has struggled to be away from us.
My DH and myself have also really struggled with what has happened.
We are all back to school/ work next week. It has been so hard getting ready for this knowing there are children who are not going back.
DD saying she doesn’t want to go back to school but not really saying why. I am also really struggling with separation from her since the attack.
Any other Southport parents on here? Any advice about how to make the back to school easier?
I can’t begin to comprehend what other families in the area are going through right now so it feels self centred to be worrying about this.

I'm very sorry that you have been affected by the terrible attack in Southport. I'm not a Southport mum but I wonder if it's worth getting in touch with the school? I'm sure a lot of parents are going to be in a similar situation.

Have you seen the page on the council website about support? https://www.sefton.gov.uk/tragic-incident-in-southport-2907-updates-and-support/support/

I wonder if your DD would feel better about part days for the first week, to build up confidence in being away from you?

I'm sure the school will be prepared and have support set up ready for when the children return.

I'm not in Southport either op, but I just wanted to say I'm so sorry you have all been affected by what happened

I agree with speaking to school, its possible someone will be picking up school emails over the weekend or the day before the children are due back.

I hope things get easier for you all in time

Thanks for the responses. School have been great tbh, we have had a lot of guidance from them about how to have the difficult conversation with children. They have been open over summer with drop in sessions and grief counsellors to support. I think I will try to talk to her teachers before she goes back.

There will almost definitely be pastoral support, counseling, chaplaincy services etc available for anyone affected, adult or child.

Keep things as normal as possible for your child. Answer her questions honestly, let her chat about her classmate and explain her fears but don’t make out going back to school or being away from you is something to be afraid of. You really don’t want to be dealing with a school refuser.

DD is starting reception at a school in Southport next week also affected. They've been offering drop in sessions over the summer and are starting with an hour on Wednesday and a session for parents.