Are they asking questions.
Sometimes it's hard to know how much to let them see. How much to tell them.
Despite the fact I'm a reporter, I'm not one to expose young children to the graphic images. On the other hand, they need to know what's happened. They're likely to hear about it, if not at school, at church.
Their ages will dictate what's appropriate. So will their questions. Don't feel as though you have to volunteer tons of information. Give them the basics. Then take their questions as they come.
I have found that my kids feel a lot less helpless when they can get involved even in a small way. If they can make a contribution in addition to the family pledge.
If you want some pointers on how to talk to your kids about natural disasters, click here.
Mental Health America has some tips on reducing your kids' anxiety about natural disasters at times like this. Here they are.
I hope this helps.
My Son's school is raising money for Unicef. He came home with some flyers and one of them is that we now will have to pay for him to participate in "spirit days" at his school. You know these days, you get to wear your pajamas, backwards clothes, funny hair, etc...except now we have to PAY for them. I personally think it's excessive. I called the principal and asked her if I provide the school with the receipts of what we donated to doctors without borders if my son can be exempt from paying for spirit day. Unicef is not my chairty of choice, and I feel it is wrong for the ELEMENTARY SCHOOL to pressure me to give to them. Otherwise, the whole thing has my 5 year old son totally freaked out. He won't go in our basement now because he's afraid he'll get buried.
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