Tragic Events: Conversations with your Child
All over the world there are really tragic events taking place, and as parents, your immediate instinct is to protect your kids from such pain. It is import that the adults in these children’s lives are able to reassure and convey not only a sense of understanding and support, but reassurance of safety and security. It is difficult to know how much information is appropriate to share or how to talk about such complex matters to your child, keeping in mind the conversations will be different given the developmental level and age.
Setting the emotional tone is very important. It is likely your child may have already heard what happened over the news or social media. When you are able to provide information, convey facts, and answer questions in a calm and confident manner, your child will feel safe.
Below are some guidelines that may help you feel more confident in talking to their children about human violence in the world today.
* These guidelines are based from Ritamaria Laird, MA, LCPC, NCC, a leading expert in pediatric mental health in Chicago who treats children struggling with a variety of emotional and behavioral issues at Individual and Family Connection.
All over the world there are really tragic events taking place, and as parents, your immediate instinct is to protect your kids from such pain. It is import that the adults in these children’s lives are able to reassure and convey not only a sense of understanding and support, but reassurance of safety and security. It is difficult to know how much information is appropriate to share or how to talk about such complex matters to your child, keeping in mind the conversations will be different given the developmental level and age.
Setting the emotional tone is very important. It is likely your child may have already heard what happened over the news or social media. When you are able to provide information, convey facts, and answer questions in a calm and confident manner, your child will feel safe.
Below are some guidelines that may help you feel more confident in talking to their children about human violence in the world today.
- Stay Calm
- Keep in mind the child’s developmental age
- Provide the opportunity to explore
- Listen to and empathize with your child’s fears and concerns, even if they seem irrational
- “What About Kids Like Me?”
- Communicating Emotions
- When to Seek Help
* These guidelines are based from Ritamaria Laird, MA, LCPC, NCC, a leading expert in pediatric mental health in Chicago who treats children struggling with a variety of emotional and behavioral issues at Individual and Family Connection.