Talking About the News and Other Tough Stuff

In my previous blog, I suggested avoiding too much talk about adult problems and advocated for turning off the news (or maybe finding a news source designed for youth). I should mention that this is not to completely shield children from "the bad things" in the world. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Information about "the bad things" is important, but we as parents can communicate it more delicately than the news anchor or social media. We have the ability to provide our children with relevant information in a thoughtful manner. Even in the daily struggles our families face, youth do not need all of the gory details. Just the important ones to keep them informed! Here are a few suggestions on how to address hard things with kids in a manner that won't leave them feeling anxious:

Example 1: Your family is having financial struggles and cannot afford anything extra-- bills might not even get paid. Your son is asking for a new pair of shoes.

Don't say- "NO! We are so broke right now that our power is probably going to get shut off."

Instead say- "Wow, those are super nice AND expensive. We are sticking to our budget right now, but maybe we can look at them around your birthday."

Example 2: Your child has just told you that they read that there is a virus going around that will kill a lot of people

Don't Say- "Yes, there is and it is very dangerous."

Instead Say- "Yes, there is a virus going around that can be dangerous to certain people. That is why we are taking precautions to keep our family safe. We will wash our hands frequently and stay home to help make sure we all stay healthy."

Here is an excellent resource for putting COVID-19 in student friendly terms.

Also, here are a few more strategies to help your child alleviate anxiety.