5 Tips to Help Your Child Process Tragedy: Good Things Utah

Unfortunately, we often hear of destructive or violent act happening in our world. Should you talk to your child about the event? Or protect them from it? How much detail should you go into? I offer 5 tips to help your child deal with tragedies.

1) Limit exposure to media
If you wouldn’t let your child see it in a movie, don’t let them see it on media.

2) Use simple language to explain the event
Be honest and use age-appropriate language to explain the facts.

3) Offer comfort and reassure safety
If your child is upset, offer physical affection and reassure them that these incidents are very rare.

4) Encourage the child to share emotion
Ask your child to share how they are feeling through words, drawings, or other creative means.

5) Take positive action
Do something. Write letters, donate money, send cards, volunteer for a good cause.

If you or your family member are experiencing intense emotions,mental health symptoms, or relationship difficulties, contact Dr. Hanks’clinic Wasatch Family Therapy wasatchfamilytherapy.com or the offices in Cottonwood Heights and Bountiful.

Learn more about Dr. Julie Hanks at https://www.facebook.com/DrJulieHanks/.