Many parents used to send their kids off to school without thinking twice.
But in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, student safety is on everyone's minds.
We spoke with some parents outside Meadowlane Elementary Monday.
Many were saying goodbye to children the same ages as those gunned down on Friday.
The parents we spoke to say they talked with their kids about the tragedy.
One dad told us his child didn't ask very many questions and wanted to know more about why someone would do that, rather than whether or not they were safe.
Another dad says he told his children to be brave and reassured them the schools are safe.
The parents we spoke to agreed it was important to strike a balance, making sure their kids understood what happened but also making sure they weren't scared, especially when they returned to class.
The question most seem to be facing is how do we begin to heal?
One dad said if he lost his child, he wouldn't even know where to start putting his life back together.