Try as we might, our little ones can sense our anxiety about troubling events happening in the world. How do we make them feel safe when they know something is going on?
Whether the awful events are worldwide or in your backyard, here are a few guides for talking to your children:
- Each age group, and child for that matter, handles sad news differently. A guest post on Captain Awkward, opens a new window, an advice blog, tackles this subject.
- The American Psychological Association, opens a new window also stresses, in addition to talking to your children, to take care of yourself, too.
- Don't know what to expect after a tragedy? Children's Hospital Colorado, opens a new window has 5 quick tips for talking to children about disturbing current events.
- The Mayo Clinic, opens a new window answers frequent questions and gives guidance on the needs of specific age groups.
- The messages we send our children after tragedies is important. Psychology Today, opens a new window breaks down what to say and what to hold back. This was written after the Las Vegas shooting, but the advice still holds true.
- Common Sense Media, opens a new window provides a list of tips for making your child feel safe.
Fred Rogers said after September 11, 2001, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world."
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