Resources for talking with your kids about crisis

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/naturaldisaster_ho.aspx - Helping children after a natural disaster.

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/disaster_recovery_trauma_stress_coping.htm - How to recover from disaster and other traumatic events.

http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA12-4732/SMA12-4732.pdf.- Tips for talking with and helping children cope after a disaster or traumatic event.

http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=672

http://www.nasponline.org/ - Easy-to-print handouts on their homepage for talking to kids about violence, coping with crisis, school safety, and care for caregivers

Helpful Hints

  • Do your best to keep the television off, or at least limit how much your child sees of any news event.
  • Try to keep yourself calm. Your presence can help your child feel more secure.
  • Give your child extra comfort and physical affection, like hugs or snuggling up together with a favorite book. Physical comfort goes a long way towards providing inner security. That closeness can nourish you, too.
  • Try to keep regular routines as normal as possible. Children and adults count on their familiar pattern of everyday life.
  • Plan something that you and your child enjoy doing together, like taking a walk, going on a picnic, having some quiet time, or doing something silly. It can help to know there are simple things in life that can help us feel better, in good times and in bad.
  • Even if children don't mention what they've seen or heard in the news, it can help to ask what they think has happened. If parents don't bring up the subject, children can be left with their misinterpretations. You may be really surprised at how much your child has heard from others.
  • Focus attention on the helpers, like the police, firemen, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and volunteers. It's reassuring to know there are many caring people who are doing all they can to help others in this world.
  • Let your child know if you're making a donation, going to a town meeting, writing a letter or e-mail of support, or taking some other action. It can help children to know that adults take many different active roles and that we don't give in to helplessness in times of worldwide crisis.