Newtown Parents Taking Wait-And-See Approach With Grieving Children
NEWTOWN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Main Street in Newtown sits in the surreal glow of holiday lights and mourning candles, mere days after a gunman left 20 children and six adults dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Children in Newtown are confused and parents are struggling to help them grieve.
"Everybody is talking about it. We saw the police at school today. It's not something we can hide from them either. She has a mature side to here. When someone is sad she can pick up on it," Ana Marin told CBS 2's Lou Young on Monday night.
Ana's daughter, Sophie, said she is worried about what will happen to her fallen classmates now that they are gone. Parents told CBS 2 that foremost on their children's minds is the question of whether or not Santa will be able to deliver toys to their friends in heaven.
"If they'll get their Christmas toys in heaven," Ana wondered.
One parent said that her son has been taking things as well as possible. Her strategy has been to avoid watching television and to handle questions as he asks them.
"Everybody's talking about it. We saw the police at school today. It's not something we can hide from them. She has a mature side to her. When someone is sad she can pick up on it. For some kids are harder," Ana said.
CBS 2's Young spoke Monday with the mother of 8-year-old Bear Nikitchyuk by phone. He's the child Young spoke with on Friday morning near the school.
His mom said he's doing as well as can be expected. He's a kid. She told Young the family is taking it as he gives it, allowing him to bring things up. They have not been watching TV. Friends at play dates have asked about Santa's ability to get to heaven. It's why the little girl brought a Teddy bear to the memorial but accepted encouragement to keep it. She rewarded CBS 2's Young with a smile.
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