"What if you don't come home?"

It's the unspoken question your child may carry—but never ask. In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton explore how to have age-appropriate, empowering conversations with your kids (Amazon Affiliate) about your job—without passing down fear, anxiety, or emotional distance. 🔎 Episode Overview: As a first responder, your job comes with real danger—and real pride. But when it comes to your kids, how do you talk about what you do in a way that helps them feel secure, not scared? This episode provides practical tools for navigating hard conversations with honesty and hope, helping your children understand your world without carrying the weight of it. 🧠 5 Signs Your Child May Be Struggling With Fear About Your Job They Ask Repetitive "What If" Questions Example: "What if you get hurt?" or "What if there's a bad guy?" Impact: Signals underlying anxiety or need for reassurance. They Avoid Topics Related to Your Work Example: They change the subject or leave the room when you talk about the job. Impact: May indicate fear or emotional overload. They Act Out Around the Time You Leave for Work Example: Increased clinginess, tantrums, or shutdown behavior before shifts. Impact: Reflects separation anxiety or fear of loss. They Seem Proud but Quiet Example: They tell others you're a hero but rarely ask you questions directly. Impact: Shows admiration mixed with uncertainty or confusion. They Mimic "Toughness" and Suppress Their Feelings Example: "I'm fine" becomes their go-to, even when upset. Impact: Reveals early emotional masking, possibly modeled after you. 🛠️ 5 Ways to Talk About Your Job Without Passing Down Fear Start With What They Can Understand—Not What You Experience Tailor the message to their age and emotional capacity. Keep it clear and simple. Talk About the Purpose, Not Just the Risk Example: "My job is to help people and keep others safe." Center the conversation on service and values. Create Safe Spaces for Questions and Emotions Let them know it's okay to ask anything—and okay to feel everything. Balance Honesty With Reassurance Be truthful, but don't overexpose. Offer consistent reminders of your training, your team, and your safety. Use Stories and Play to Make Sense of the Job Books, role-playing, or drawing can help kids process complex topics in a safe, manageable way. 🎯 Why This Episode Matters You don't have to shield your child from your reality—but you can help them carry it with courage instead of fear. These conversations matter more than ever in building resilience, connection, and long-term trust. 🎙️ Listen now to learn how to talk to your kids in a way that honors both the truth of your job and the innocence of their world.

💥 Gear We Recommend for Our First Responder Community: 🛡️ Tactical storage made easy: STOPBOX – Buy One, Get One Free

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💬 Listener Question: What's one small act of service you can do today to honor someone who served? Let us know in the Facebook group or DM us on Instagram!

Disclaimer: All viewpoints discussed in this episode are for entertainment purposes only and reflect our personal opinions based on our own experiences, background, and education.

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📣 For PR, Speaking Requests, or Networking Opportunities: 📧 Email: [email protected] 📫 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 400115, Hesperia, CA 92340 🔗 Ashlie's Facebook: facebook.com/police.fire.lawenforcement