While you do want to be open and honest with your kids, you also don’t want to traumatize them unnecessarily. Dr. Phil suggests that you use verbal communication to explain current event stop your kids, rather than visuals from the news. He explains that kids are visual learners, and they might be extremely affected by the scary images they see on TV. When they are old enough to see what is happening around the world, “make sure they understand that there are people impacted by this and that we don’t take it lightly. Ask them their opinions. Solicit questions and answer them truthfully in an age-appropriate way,” he suggests.
Last but not least, when you talk to kids emphasize the positives of different worldly events, and focus on the many ways you and your kids can help, rather than only stressing about the terrible tragedies. If you are talking to your kids about natural disasters and the thousands of people struggling to rebuild their lives, talk about how your family can help and take action to provide aid to others. While the world is a scary place and bad things happen to good people every day, a happier, safer, better future lies in the hands of our kids’ generation. When thinking about how to talk to your kids, foster a sense of public service, kindness and generosity within your family so that your kids will take their desire to help others with them as they get older.
