USPS employees might not be afraid of the weather, but your kids may be. How can you reassure them that they are safe when all around us we are surrounded by a sometimes dangerous Mother Earth.
Yesterday's 7.9 earthquake in Peru raised a tsunami alert for most of the western coast of South America, while on the other side of the world, a hurricane was bearing down on the Hawaiian Islands. Wild fires are scorching the Western states. Fast on the heels of a tornado in Brooklyn another hurricane seems headed towards the Gulf Coast. And this is just the beginning of hurricane season.
This is scary stuff-even for adults. But just imagine what your kids are feeling. They may fear for your safety and theirs as well as other family members, pets and friends. You can't really tell them not to be afraid. But you can tell them the truth-you will do everything in your power to keep them safe.
Unfortunately, the increase in awareness-and fear-of sometimes devastating natural events is something that all share. Acknowledging kids' feelings and concerns while showing them how to cope with the anxiety will go a long way to helping kids put things in perspective.
Here is where a good book can really help. Kids tend to believe that if it is in a book, then it must be real. In Today We Had A Hurricane the beautiful collage art reinforces the message that the family is safe and sound and riding out the storm together.
Even if you don't live in a hurricane zone-don't forget the tornado in Brooklyn Today We Had A Hurricane (also available in Spanish) will help you engage your children in conversations that might be hard to start otherwise.
With Respect,
Deb
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment