Helping Children Deal with Disaster

September 11, 2001

This is a day most of us will never forget. However, most of our children were not even born then. However, we have told our children about this terrorist attack. We have explained how the events went through during the day. Our sons have asked where we were and what we actually went through. We did not know anyone who was in the attacks. I did know a few people who lived near the World Trade Center.

Today I had the boys watch a timeline of the events of that day. We also learned more details about what happened with Flight 93. We shared about the passengers and how they saved so many people that day.

Our children ask questions. They want to feel safe and secure. They need to know about events so they can feel confident that you are taking care of them.

I believe that we can play a crucial part in helping to help our children to stress less in times of disaster and terror. We are the “thermostat” in our home. We can help our children “make sense” of the circumstances.

Here are some tips:

1. Share as much as you feel you can with your child. Remember, knowledge is power.

2. Let your child know that you are there to help them be safe.

3. Help them find ways to de-stress during times of conflict.

4. Make your home a place of peace and safety.

5. Limit the time you watch and listen to bad news in your home while your children are in the room. This can be TV, podcasts, radio, internet, etc.

There will always be times of disaster, conflict, war and terror. We, as parents, have the responsibility to help their children live their best life. They cannot do that when they are constantly stressed and fearful.