With protests over the violent deaths of Black Americans dominating the news, it’s understandable that many kids are feeling scared, confused, or angry about the situation. How can parents, many of whom are struggling themselves, help children process what they’re seeing and manage their feelings?
There’s no one right answer. That said, there are a few guidelines parents and caregivers can keep in mind to help kids deal with troubling news about race and violence.
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- Validate their feelings
- Don’t avoid talking about it
- Be clear, direct, and factual
- Encourage questions — and don’t worry if you can’t answer them
- Try to be calm, but don’t hide your emotions
- Rely on your support system
- Keep the conversation open
- Explore resources
Click here to read the full article from Understood and Child Mind Institute
