Mason City, IA- For Jenni Dusheck these are difficult times to watch TV news around her children. 

"It's a town in Iowa you wouldn't expect things to happen," said Dusheck.

She is a mother of three and said her kids pick up on current events like the recent murders in Iowa City.

"My oldest is 6 years old and she hears this stuff and asks a lot of things," said Dusheck.

She said answering the different questions can be difficult.

"Too much information isn't good but yet you don't want to keep them shielded either," said Dusheck.

Family counselor, Jim Anastasi, said Dusheck is on to something.

"It's not wise to talk about details of murders with kids," said Anastasi.

Both think there is no set formula to help explain a tragedy like Iowa City to a child. Dusheck just takes one question at a time.

"Just need to look at the situation and use your best judgment on what to say to them," said Dusheck.

Anastasi said to pay attention to what your kid is asking and Dusheck agrees.

"Making them feel secure and keeping an open line of communication with your child and yourself."

Anastasi said that's key because after a shocking event like Iowa City kids question who they can trust and said it's important to spend lots of time with your kids. But now matter how hard she tries, Dusheck still worries that she doesn't know what her children are hearing, seeing and thinking.

"It scares me to know she may see stuff and never ask and it's weighing in the back of her mind," said Dusheck.