Any time something scary happens in the world, parents wonder,"How do I talk about it with my children?"
The war in Ukraine is the latest issue that kids will have questions about.
KRLD's John Liddle talked with Dr. Jessica Gomez from Momentous Institute to get recommendations on how to talk with your kids.
Here's what Dr. Gomez had to say:
Take care of yourself first. It's important to have your own feelings in check before approaching this conversation with kids.
Gather the facts. When talking about complex topics such as war with children, it’s important to start with the facts. Use your own words and keep it short and simple, which will take the emotion out of it and provide a learning opportunity.
Keep it age appropriate. Be mindful of a child’s age and maturity. Young children only have the capacity for brief and simple information. Older children want more nuance and detail. Families with kids of different ages may want to have separate conversations, rather than discussing it at the dinner table or in the car as a family.
Provide reassurance. When scary things happen in the news, often a child’s first thought is, “Am I in danger?” Many kids will wonder if we are at war, if their own lives and families are at risk. Adults can provide reassurance by explaining that, while there is a war, it is not here.
Emphasize empathy. We live in a very diverse country and want to ensure our children know that people from other countries are our neighbors, friends and colleagues. Having conversations and learning about other cultures is important. Remind children that most people in this world are kind and compassionate. Teach them to care about all people.
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