Being evacuated or in a home fire is scary for both adults and children. This fear can extend well past the event, and can occur even if the child was not directly involved. Children often think what they are seeing on the news is happening to them; and hearing adults talk about it can add to the fear. It’s a good practice to limit watching the news in your home as much as possible, especially during the event.
Most importantly, stay as calm as possible during the actual emergency. The more you show stress, the more anxious and fearful your child will be.
Talk about your child’s feelings afterwards and accept whatever feelings they express rather than trying to change them. Make sure they have the things that give them comfort, such as a favorite stuffed animal, blanket or toy. Check in often to do this, and realize that it’s normal for children to regress when they’ve been in a traumatizing event. Be kind and patient when this happens and know that it doesn’t last forever.
It’s helpful to return to as much of your routine as possible as quickly as you can. If you now have a new routine, be consistent with it. Build in time for fun activities to help with the readjustment and with building hope.
Adults (parents, adults, care providers) in the child’s life are important to helping the child move through the trauma and becoming resilient. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself as well. This has been stressful for you as a parent too.
Posted in: Community
Comment Policy: All viewpoints are welcome, but comments should remain relevant. Personal attacks, profanity, and aggressive behavior are not allowed. No spam, advertising, or promoting of products/services. Please, only use your real name and limit the amount of links submitted in your comment.
You Might Also Like...
One Mamapreneur’s Story Reflects A National Trend
“I wasn’t doing this for others – I was starting a business for me and my family.” As the director of Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI), I hear this often. A […]
Bringing the World Home: North State Families Host Foreign Exchange Students
In an evermore connected world, opportunities to learn about other cultures are as easy as pushing a button. Yet none can quite compare with real, one-on-one experiences. Some North State […]
National Parks – American Treasures
Use your imagination … what if you and your family had the opportunity to: Hike or bike miles of trails that span rolling hills, flat lands, rugged terrain or steep […]
Love To Learn: Museums To Start The School Year
“Museum.” For some, this word piques excitement and interest. For many, it evokes bored childhood memories of hushed voices, slowly plodding steps, and the ever-constant scolding: “Don’t touch that!” If […]