· By S. S. Coulter
5 Ways to Help Children Cope With News of Natural Disaster
Even as an adult, it is hard to wrap your head around natural disaster and the devastation it causes. Ideally, we could keep our children from even knowing about these things, but it is inevitable that they will hear about them and even know people who have been affected by them.
So what can we do to help our kids when the news is so devastating? Here are 5 ways to help your children cope with the news of a natural disaster:
1. Talk to your kids about their fears and concerns. Don’t avoid conversations about these things. Disasters are real and really do happen. Listen to your child’s concerns and provide the amount of information you know is appropriate for your child. You don’t have to go into every detail about what has happened and all the implications, but do acknowledge that these things happen and that they upset you too.
2. Reassure your kids that your family has a plan if disaster strikes. Do you have a plan at home if there is a fire? Do you live in a location where there are tornados or earthquakes or hurricanes? Make sure to have a plan in place for your family, explain the why and how of the plan to your kids, and then practice it as a family – especially when your kids are hearing about current disasters. Reassure them with your knowledge, readiness, and planning.
3. Limit your children’s media exposure on TV and devices. As Don Henley sang in Dirty Laundry, “She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam in her eye, It's interesting when people d*e.” Yes, we need to know what is happening to the victims of natural disasters, but the media is infamous for focusing on the click bait – it’s all about the worst of the worst to keep the views coming. Instead…
4. Show your kids examples of people who are helping and discuss what your family can do to help. Find and show your children stories of first responders, neighborhoods, churches, and all the wonderful people who come together to support their fellow citizens when hardship strikes. Find a way your family can get involved by discussing ideas with your children.
5. Get your kids outside. Seeing the weather rear its sometimes-ugly head can scare anyone, but a terrible thing that could happen is your child becomes fearful of the world. Make sure to get them back out in nature and discuss all the beauty and benefits of rain, wind, and other natural forces. You can help them develop a healthy respect for the power of nature and the difference between when it’s ok to splash around in puddles versus when it’s actually time to get in from the storm!
The effects of natural disasters are heartbreaking. As adults, it’s our responsibility to help our kids feel safe in the world even when it doesn’t feel that safe – our love, attention, and reassurance our invaluable.
Here are additional resources for talking to your kids. I’ve also included more resources below if your family has experienced a natural disaster.
Talking to Kids About Natural Disasters by Focus on the Family
Children and Natural Disaster by Bright Horizons
Additional sources if your family experienced a natural disaster:
Helping Children Cope by Ready Kids
Disasters and Scary Events: Helping Children Cope by Seattle Children's