The news these days is increasingly heartbreaking in the wake of massive earthquakes, tornadoes, and tsunamis which devastate peoples world-wide.  As adults struggle with the images, videos, and reports which are streamed on every news outlet, many children are also struggling to understand, and cope with, the death and destruction caused by Mother Nature.

Once children have been exposed to disturbing images or express fear about the suffering and tragedy that they’ve seen, it is important to sit down and talk with them about it.  During this conversation, be sure to validate their feelings, calm their fears and answer their questions with age-appropriate responses. PBS.org has a good guide to discussing the news with your children; their age-by-age insights can help you understand how kids process what they see on TV.

In their article Explaining World Tragedy to Children, Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller offer advice to parents on how they can help their children deal with the fear and concern associated with such situations, whether global or personal.  A few key points are highlighted below:

• Provide the scientific information for which they are asking.
• Tell your children the effects of the natural disaster.
• Concentrate on feelings – theirs and yours.
• As you go through this debriefing process, encourage your children to look for the helpers.
• Discuss with your children how you as a family can be helpers during this tragedy.

To access the entire article, visit: The Uncommon Parenting Blog.