Children Experiencing Disasters

Friends,

While I'm not a psychologist, I am a concerned and involved parent. I've gotten a few words from friends about helping children with this crisis. Please don't quote this anywhere since I'm not an authority, although you're welcome to tell others what resonates with your own experience.

More complete information is available from the links below. I've not been able to find anything from a Christian or pacifist tradition, however. Please send any additional suggestions you have.

1. Deal with fears. Listen. Tell children we adults will do all we can to keep them safe. Do not belittle feelings. Stay close by.

2. Turn off the TV and radio and internet and do other things together. Limit media exposure in normal life, the younger the child, and severely limit during crisis. (I never really saw images of the Persian Gulf War. My children were 6 and 3.)

3. Lead by adult example: in your calmness, in your care for folks who might be retaliated against, in your prayer times, in organizing and attending local witnesses for peace.

4. If your kids don't bring it up, do. They may be afraid that if they talk about it, you won't be able to handle it. And THAT's a really scary thought.

5. Talk about how some bullies are that way because they have experienced great injustice in their lives. Point out how important it is to not perpetuate the cycle of violence. There are parallels here to the typical bully on the playground and the children who bring guns to school.

6. Take action together. This is what gives hope to kids: DOING something visible. (Take photos and save for your child's draft folder.)

Here are links. May God keep you and your children safe.

Peace,
Susan Mark Landis, minister of peace and justice

Tragic Times, Healing Words: Helping children cope. by Sesame Workshop
National Institute of Mental Health: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters
National Association of School Psychologists
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Tips for Talking About Disasters
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

Susan Mark Landis
Minister of peace and Justice for the Mennonite Church
PO Box 173, Orrville OH 44667-0173
phone/fax 330-683-6844
SusanML@MennoniteUSA.org