Article
Tips for parents to help their children and themselves during traumatic events
Compiled with permission by the UNICEF South Asia Counseling Section from ‘Caring for Kids After Trauma, Disaster and Death: A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS'
UNICEF Sri Lanka
22 June 2022
When a disaster or tragedy occurs, parents are often concerned with how to best help their children while they are also trying to deal with their own shock or response to the event. Both children and adults often become scared and confused. Like adults, children are most likely to be worried about their family and significant people in their lives including friends and care-givers.
The following tips may guide parents to help their children cope after a traumatic event.
- Children process traumatic events at their own pace
Be available to discuss the events on more than one occasion, as children’s interest in and questions about what happened will change over time.
- Don’t judge one child’s reactions to loss by another’s.
Children react in different ways. some may find comfort in spending time with friends and relatives; others will prefer to process the events in solitude. Reassure your child that it is normal to react to trauma in a variety of ways, such as feelings of anger, guilt and sadness. Children may also be told that they can express their feelings in different ways, for instance, a person may feel sadness without necessarily crying.
- Mood changes are to be expected in children following a significant loss or a disturbing event.
Be sensitive and patient with the changes in your child’s emotional world.
- Encourage children to express and communicate their feelings.
Memorial ceremonies and other rituals will be important for some children, while others may feel more comfortable in expressing their emotions through art or through connecting with their peers. Help your child to find constructive ways to express feelings such as anger and sadness. Encourage children to write their thoughts, feelings and experiences in a journal, or to draw pictures of their experiences. This will help provide them with a means to express their feelings.
- Talk to children about the different moods or feelings people, including you, may experience after a tragedy. Express your feelings honestly, but do your best to avoid alarming or upsetting your child further.
- Find a quiet place and time to speak with your children and be available for any questions
It is often best to start a conversation by finding out what children already know, and then listening to find out what questions they may have. You do not need to have all the answers and therefore it is okay to say “I don’t know” in response to your child questions.
- Provide children with honest and direct information about what has occurred
To the extent that your child wishes to discuss what happened, engage in open conversations, using language they understand. When adults avoid discussion of traumatic events, this can convey that the topic is “taboo,” which may ultimately result in increasing a child’s fear and worry.
- Allow your children to retain as much of their daily routines as possible during stressful times.
By maintaining familiar schedules, children will gradually reestablish feelings of normalcy, and their anxieties about what happened will be significantly reduced.
- Monitor exposure to media coverage, including television, radio and newspapers.
Repeated viewing can be distressing, particularly for young children who may believe that the events are reoccurring each time they see them on television. Irrespective of age, over- exposure can be overwhelming, and may lead to feelings of distress and helplessness among children
- Try to remain calm
This will not only show your children that you are still in control, but it will also teach them how to handle stressful situations in a thoughtful way.
- Reassure children that they are safe and are being taken care of
Reassurances may need to be repeated frequently, even after the immediate event has passed. Most importantly spending extra time with your child can also help them to feel safe . Explain how the safety of the community is being helped by government and community agencies.
Remember that children who had difficulty before the event, such as emotional problems or exposure to previous trauma, may be particularly vulnerable. If you are concerned about your child, or if emotional and/or behavioral problems persist for more than six weeks, consult with a mental health professional.
Tips for parents to help themselves
- Allow yourself time to heal.
Parents are often so focused on taking care of their families, that they do not take the time to take care of themselves. Allow yourself time and space to express your feelings about what happened. Be patient with your emotional state, as it is normal after a trauma to experience mood fluctuations.
- Ask for and provide support.
Spend time talking with other adults who will understand what you are going through. While it is always a good idea to seek support from loved ones, remember that those in your typical support system may be compromised if they experienced the same event. If this is the case, you may want to find out about local support groups.
- To the extent possible, engage in healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious meals, drinking sufficient amounts of water and getting adequate rest.
Those who are able to maintain healthy behaviors tend to feel more in control of their lives and are more able to cope effectively. Avoid the use of drugs and alcohol.
- Maintain regular routines for eating, sleeping and exercising.
Keeping to routines is helpful for both parents and children in restoring some level of normalcy for the family after a traumatic event.
- Avoid making major life decisions.
While it may be tempting to move or change jobs after a traumatic event, it is usually best to avoid making major life decisions during times of stress and turmoil.
- If you are having difficulty functioning or are unable to perform daily tasks, consult with your physician or mental health professional.
Remember that you will be of no help to your family if you are also having difficulties in coping and helping yourself.
Downloadable versions all needed in three languages
English
Helping Children Through Traumatic Events UNICEF SL - English.pdf (921.58 KB)
Helping Parents Through Traumatic Events UNICEF SL - English.pdf (883.04 KB)
Sinhala
Helping Children Through Traumatic Events UNICEF SL - Sinhala.pdf (905.5 KB)
Helping Parents Through Traumatic Events UNICEF SL - Sinhala.pdf (851.18 KB)
Tamil
Helping Children Through Traumatic Events UNICEF SL - Tamil.pdf (889.29 KB)
Helping Parents Through Traumatic Events UNICEF SL - Tamil.pdf (850.98 KB)
