INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It can be very difficult to discuss controversial topics with your kids when it comes to current events happening around the world.
Many parents may wonder where to start in helping their children cope with war and violence, especially the war between Israel and Hamas.
Dr. Daniel Henderson, a clinical psychologist at IU Health, joined Weekend Daybreak to share advice for parents on how to talk to kids about these topics.
“The first step is to process your own emotions,” Henderson says. “Before we start these conversations with the little people in our lives, or maybe the bigger people in our lives, we need to understand our emotions and process our emotions before we go into the conversation. I’ll try to find a way to adjust it.”
Henderson added that gauging a child’s age plays an important role in having these difficult conversations.
“With younger kids, like preschoolers, you might not even think you need to have that conversation. They don’t realize. You know, I don’t expose them to the news and different images. But as we know, little ears can be listening when we don’t expect them to, or things we might not even be aware of. You could be picking it up,” she said.
For more on Mr. Henderson’s story, check out the full interview above.
talk to children about war
- Ask open-ended questions: Ask people what they see on social media. We want to be there and present to help filter as much as we can and process the information together.
- deal with behavioral changes: If you notice a change, it’s important to address it and ask about it right away. Asking for and enforcing screen time limits can be helpful during this time.
- Parents, please check in yourself. mental health: Be aware of your feelings so you can be more present to your children. If you don’t have enough information, don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” This is a great opportunity to learn together with your child.
Emotional warning signs for older children
- irritation
- sorrow
- anxiety
- Frustration