How to Handle Children and Traumatic News
How to handle children and traumatic news is difficult but necessary in today’s times. Unfortunately it is unavoidable. When we hear of a traumatic event, we can’t help but to turn on the TV and watch. News channels often play the tragedy over and over. We watch in disbelief and our hearts ache for everyone involved. We can feel anxiety, grief, and anguish while we’re watching. When these events take place, our children are watching too. They also can have these feelings too, not understanding exactly what’s going on. Some younger children can think it’s happening over and over as the news replays the stories and video.
During the coverage of 9/11 many experts said parents should help their children understand what happened and make them feel safe. The movie massacre in Colorado is a story that will be reported about many times and is something that won’t be forgotten. Covid-19 and the resulting quarantine and mass illness among friends and families is another current event that children need to know about. Below we have some tips on how to handle sharing bad news with children.
Some things parents should do are:
- Do your homework, know the facts, and tell the truth
- Talk about it with them so they don’t talk elsewhere and receive incorrect information
- Correct misinformation and fill in the gaps
- Keep it factual, do not give your opinions, embellish nor minimize
- It’s OK for children to see parents cry or get upset but we should never freak out
- Make them feel safe
Be mindful that if you are watching the events on TV your children are most likely listening or watching too. Keeping yourself informed to keep up with the facts is fine but when you’re feeling upset….Shut off the TV. Take the children and do something fun. Go for a walk, go for a ride, play a game, or some family activity to put smiles on everyone’s face.
The events have been so sad! My heart goes out to the family & loved ones. Great information.
I know so sad. It’s these times that we have to think of our own kids . Thanks for coming by Maria!