“Most of what our children learn is caught, not taught. They see you. They hear you.”
Talking to your children when the world is chaotic may seem unnecessary and overwhelming, but our children are aware of the chaos around us. Here are five easy tips for talking to your children during confusing times.
1 – Be open to having the conversation.
Don’t be afraid to initiate the conversation, even if your child has said nothing. Sometimes, the most important conversations are the conversations we quietly wait for our children to initiate.
“If they’re afraid, they’ll tell me,” is not the stance you want to take though it may feel the most comfortable. This is a wonderful time to guide your child and model for them a proactive parenting role; one you hope they’ll one day take with their children.
2 – Ask your child what he or she has heard about what’s going on around them.
When children bring up something frightening, it’s helpful right away to ask them what they know about it. We often find that their fantasies are very different than the actual truth.
Fred Rogers
Ask your child what they’ve heard. Dispel myths and provide them with a sense of assurance that you’re right there if they have any more questions.
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3 – Encourage your child to look outward.
During stressful times, we tend to look inward. Our worries, frustrations, and irritations usually revolve around our own comfort. Instead, rally your child around the needs of others.
Is there someone who may need your family’s help. Does a neighbor need a sitter? Is there an elderly person you can check on? Small acts of kindness can do wonders for a troubled, worried mind.
4 – Lead your child toward calm, peace, and gratitude.
As parents, we want to supply our child with tools they can utilize for a lifetime. Learning to reset your mindset and find a sense of calm, peace, and gratitude during upheaval is one of those tools. When you hear your child complaining, worrying, or being ungrateful gently guide them to a place of wholeness. Remind them of the upside, and teach them resilience.
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5 – Be your child’s example.
Finally, the most important thing you can do while talking to your child about the Coronavirus is to lead by example. Most of what our children learn is caught, not taught. They see you. They hear you. And, whether they are aware of this phenomenon or not, they will repeat you. Let’s be an example.
You’ve got this, Friend.
xoxo,
Rachel
© Rachel Blado www.OnTheWayToWhereYoureGoing.com All rights reserved.
