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Talking to Kids About the News

It seems the world is becoming a scarier place each time we tune into the news. There are days I wish I could just look the other way and I know I’m not alone in having trouble processing it all. When it comes to my kids, my immediate instinct is to shelter them from the horrors of humanity, but I remind myself that it’s my job to help them understand their surroundings – no matter how difficult and confusing they may be.

Recently, I wondered what they knew about the hostile Ukraine invasion, and I was surprised about how misinformed my eight year old was. So first, we needed to clear up the facts. I think it’s important our kids understand who the players are and what each side believes. I found it quite difficult to explain the situation in an unbiased way, but I tried my best to allow my son to come to his own conclusion. The types of facts our kids need to know depend on their age. Going into gory detail about war or violent protests is unnecessary with young kids but talking about the realities of death can be done with care. 

The next thing I assured my kids is that we are safe. They need to know that this war is happening far away, and it will not affect our hometown. There is no need to be worried but in case they do feel anxious, we reviewed some adults that are safe to talk to.

I also limit their exposure to the news. During the height of the pandemic, I used to keep the news on in the background of our lock down. I noticed a dramatic increase in overall stress in the kids (and myself), so news only needs to be digested in small chunks and on personal devices in our home. 

And finally, I am taking a page out of Mr. Rogers’ famous quote “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping”. And he’s right. Humanity really does come together in a crisis and there are enough helpers and examples of kindness to heal your heartache. Turn your (and your kids’) attention to the helpers in this world and focus on the power of compassion and love for one another. 

It’s times like these that I am grateful for the freedoms we take for granted every day.

 

Frank Emanuele is a proud father of two boys, a special education teacher, and a director of Dad Club London.

 

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