The Los Angeles wildfires have brought devastation to an American icon.
The city that produces so many shows, movies, and memorable acting performances has lost hundreds of homes.
There’s widespread suffering, and it’s not clear what this metropolis will resemble when the smoke clears.
With virtual non-stop news coverage about the fires, it’s likely your children might have heard and seen some of the devastation that’s occurring.
It brings up a delicate question. How, as parents, do we talk to our kids about these world tragedies?
Whether we’re helping kids understand the dangers of wildfires or discussing the impact of war on other countries, the conversation might test your ability to communicate with your children.
Yet, without discussing these tragedies, your children’s imaginations (and fears) can run wild, leaving them feeling anxious and worried.
Keep these tips in mind to help you navigate these difficult conversations and assuage their fears.
Provide Reassurance and Safety
Whether a world tragedy is occurring close to your home or across the ocean, children often tend to become fearful of their own safety when hearing about devastating events.
Reassure them that adults are working hard to keep them safe. If they want more information, you may want to discuss the specific steps that are being taken to prevent harm.
Remind them that while bad things do happen in the world, there are also many good people, from firefighters to doctors to neighbors next door, that are working to help those affected.
Assess Their Awareness
In our digital world, misinformation can run rampant, and it can sometimes be hard to know exactly what your child might have seen or heard about current world tragedies.
To ensure you’re approaching the conversation correctly, make sure to ask them some questions about what they’ve already seen or heard.
This will let you more easily discuss any concerns your child has, correct any misconceptions, and soothe their fears as effectively as possible.
Encourage your child to ask questions about the tragedy as well, so that you can address any specific concerns they have. Remember, though, it’s okay to admit that you don’t have all the answers.
Explain that the World is Sometimes Unfair
If your child is a little older, a talk about world tragedies can be a good time to broach the topic of unfairness in the world.
Children often have a strong sense of justice, so encountering the unfairness of a natural disaster or other tragedy may leave them feeling confused, upset, or disillusioned.
While it’s a hard conversation to have, it’s an important life lesson that will help your child build resilience and better handle disappointment.
Make sure to emphasize that tragedies don’t happen because the people affected did something bad. Instead, explain that the world can be unpredictable.
Help them handle any feelings of anger and unfairness by reminding them that while we can’t prevent bad things from happening, we can still help others and try to make the world a better place.
Encourage Empathy and Empowerment
Often, a child’s fear and anxiety during a world tragedy comes from feeling like they have no control.
Help them regain a sense of empowerment with simple, age-appropriate actions.
Creating an emergency plan for your family and practicing it together, for example, can help your child worry less about their own safety.
Similarly, letting your kids do something helpful can be a great way to encourage their empathy while giving them a sense of control in the face of a tragedy.
For a younger child, consider letting them help you find items around the house that you can donate to those in need.
An older child may be interested in actively volunteering for a cause that’s working to help those affected by world tragedies.
When your child feels like they have some control over a tough situation, they’re more likely to feel confident instead of fearful.
Explain the Concept of Balance
With the media constantly focusing on the worst things happening in the world, it can be easy for children to feel overwhelmed by negativity.
That’s why it’s so important to explain that the world has as much joy in it as it does sadness. For every death, there is a birth. Flowers that wilt in the fall are replaced by new growth in the spring.
Similarly, you can tell your child that for every bad thing that happens in the world, there are good things happening at the same time.
Tragedies can cause pain, but they also cause people to come together and work with one another to make the world a better place.
If you notice your child is having a hard time focusing on the positive things in the world over the negative, it can be a good idea to restrict media exposure for awhile.
Instead, consider spending time together outdoors, or participating in one of their favorite activities. It’s a good way to remind kids of the good in the world.
It’s not easy to talk to your kids about the tragedies that occur each day, but it can be an important part of teaching them compassion and helping them gain an understanding of the world.
Make sure to keep your conversation age-appropriate, and focus on ensuring your child feels safe and protected.
With your help and support, they’ll be able to process their feelings, let go of their fears, and gain a sense of control when tragedies occur.