Guidance Through Turbulent Times: Navigating Conversations about World Crisis
In the wake of the current crisis in Israel and Gaza, and the far-reaching impact it has on people worldwide, many of us are grappling with the emotional toll of these distressing events. The signs are evident – heightened agitation, difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep, dwindling energy levels, pervasive sense of anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. It's crucial to recognize that these reactions are normal responses to these events, particularly when they're constantly being broadcasted across all media platforms.
For some, these events may unearth deep-seated past and/or intergenerational traumas, making the need for understanding, support, and healing even more crucial. To help address these concerns, we've compiled a collective list of resources (please see below) to aid you in navigating these difficult times, especially when it comes to talking to your children.
The graphic depictions of violence and conflict inundating all media platforms can significantly impact the emotions and thoughts of your children, often leaving you, as a parent, uncertain about how to address and navigate these feelings. This becomes even more challenging given the emotional distress that we, as adults, are simultaneously experiencing. Nonetheless, in these challenging moments, it is crucial to establish a safe and comfortable environment for these discussions.
Engaging in these conversations with your children offers a unique opportunity to provide them with a safe space to ask questions and process their emotions. It allows us to guide them toward the need for compassion, empathy, and connection. Our role as caregivers is instrumental in creating a sense of security for our children and aiding them in navigating the intricacies and uncertainties of our world. Among our most crucial responsibilities is equipping children with a sense of strength, resiliency, advocacy, compassion, and hope.
Please remember that you are not alone in this journey. We, at Interactive Discovery, are here to provide support during these challenging times. If you are seeking support to address trauma, please reach out to us. We are committed to creating a safe space for our clients and our community. Together, we will find strength and resilience in the face of these challenging times.
General Resources
Explaining the News to Our Kids (Common Sense Media)
Handle with Care: Supporting Young People During Crises: Learning for Justice offers recommendations and resources to help guide conversations with young people and to manage potential subsequent actions and reactions.
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event (Child Mind Institute)
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
Helping Children With Tragic Events in The News (PBS Kids for Parents)
Helping Kids Navigate Scary News Stories (PBS Kids for Parents)
How to Help Children Feel Calm During a Global Crisis – (Talking to Kids & Teens About COVID-19 and other Global Trauma) (Hey Sigmund)
Multilingual Trauma Resources (Child Mind Institute)
Promoting Compassion and Acceptance in Crisis (National Association of School Psychologists)
Something Bad Happened: A Kid's Guide to Coping With Events in the News by Dawn Huebner
Trauma Resources for Families (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
When To Tell Kids About Bad News Events (Huffington Post through Child Mind Institute)
Displacement and Resettlement (Sesame Workshop)
Traumatic Experiences (Sesame Workshop)
Grief (Sesame Workshop)
Helping Children Understand Frightening Events (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University)
Managing the Stress of Children after a Crisis (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University)
Resources regarding Warfare & Violence
Building Resilience to Indirect Exposure to Terror (American Psychological Association)
How to Talk to Your Children About Conflict and War: UNICEF’s guide offers eight tips to support and comfort your children.
Helping Children Cope With Terrorism - Tips for Families and Educators (National Association of School Psychologists)
Honesty, reassurance: How to talk to kids about Ukraine (Associated Press through Child Mind Institute)
How to Limit Graphic Social Media Images from the Israel-Hamas War (The Washington Post)
How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War: Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help you talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.
Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and day care providers of preschool children: The American Psychological Association provides tips and strategies for parents and teachers of preschool-aged children.
Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children: The American Psychological Association provides tips and strategies for parents and teachers of middle school-aged children.
Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children: This article from the American Psychological Association can help adults guide their young children beyond fear and to resilience.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides resources that can be filtered by topic, keyword, and audience with a focus on how adults can identify traumatic responses in young people and how to support them.
Talking to Your Kids About War: VeryWell Family explores ways families can speak with young people about war, including tips on sharing information and restricting media coverage.
Managing the Stress of War and Disaster (Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University)
