Like many Canadians, I?ve been crushed to see how Hurricane Fiona wreaked havoc on the Maritimes. The sight of washed-out bridges, demolished homes and uprooted old trees has made me heartsick.
Kids are exposed to more and more news like this, which can be especially difficult for parents, as we struggle to explain what?s happening. You may find yourself constantly wondering, how much is too much information"
Your first instinct may be to try to protect them by diverting their attention or maybe even avoiding the question. But, when a kid asks a question, it?s always best to try and provide an age-appropriate answer. Otherwise, they may not see you as their “go-to person” when they have tough questions.
Here are some helpful strategies for parents: 1. Make time
When your child asks challenging questions, try to answer immediately or create a time to answer them as soon as possible.
2. Name it
It can be helpful to assign a name or label to the bad thing that has happened. This helps your kid make sense of what happened. In psychology, we call this strategy “name it to tame it.” By applying a label to the troublesome event or thought, the child can identify it and give it a proper place in their mind.
With Hurricane Fiona, it may be appropriate to define this event as a tragedy. You may want to explain that tragedies are when something very bad happens. Earthquakes, famines, hurricanes, wars, and car accidents are all examples of tragedies.
3. Rec...