All parents loved on their kids more this weekend after the mind blowing news of the school killings in Newtown CT on Friday. Some parents are having a tough time bringing their kids back to school today. The fear that it could happen to their child, or even their child expressing concerns that it could be repeated here is making them question what's best.

What's best for the child is to get back in to their regular routine ASAP. Even the kids that were in the school when the shooting took place are returning to school this week. The kids exposure to the news should be very limited, which is good advice for everyone.

What can you do if you are really struggling with fear? First remember how rare something like that is. There is over 130,000 schools in our country and starting with the shooting at Columbine in 1999 we have had 20 shootings. Add to that fact that in SC since 1900 we have had 2 school shootings. One in Blackville in 1995 and one in Inman in 1902. Since 1995 we have added resource officers who are armed so a scene like the one in Newtown would have been neutralized a lot sooner.

However if you understand that and still have a fear that you feel is irrational, that's ok. There are folks who can help you with that. Here is a list of councilors in Columbia who specialize in dealing with fears and anxiety.

Also if you are concerned that someone you know may be heading down a path that leads to violence here are the laws you need to follow when getting someone admitted. Proceedings for involuntary hospitalization by judicial procedure may be commenced by filing a written petition with the probate court of the county where he is present or where he is a resident by any interested person or the superintendent of any public or private mental institution in which he may be. The petition shall be served on the person and his attorney and if he has no attorney then on him and a member of his immediate family. The petition shall be accompanied by a certificate of a designated examiner stating that he has examined the person and is of the opinion that he is mentally ill and should be hospitalized or a written statement by the petitioner that the person has refused to submit to an examination by a designated examiner.

The bottom line is your kids are really safe at school. But we can always do more to make all of us safer which is really the goal of a civil society. And if you want to hug on your kids a little longer than usual because of Friday's news, that's probably a good thing.