- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- moms today articles
- moms today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
When Bad Things Happen
Talking to Children About Disasters
After the terrorism attacks of 9/11 parents found themselves, often for the first time, explaining to their children how such a horrific event could happen. Then, parents at least had the comfort of blaming "bad people." But now, with Hurricane Katrina, parents are once again finding themselves needing to explain how such a catastrophe could happen – and they don't have anyone on whom to assign blame.
"As we, as adults, struggle to grasp the enormity of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, we may forget our kids are struggling too," says Hal Runkel, founder of ScreamFree Living and creator of the ScreamFree Parenting Program, an iParenting Media Award winner. "We should expect and be prepared to answer questions ranging from 'God said he'd never flood the world again – and I thought he kept his promises' (asked by my 6-year-old over dinner the other night), to 'Could that (or why did it) happen to us?'"
"The most important thing to do is to talk to your kids about it – but don't try to 'fix' it," says Runkel. "Let them know that it's OK to ask questions, even when you don't have all the answers. Participate in your children's TV watching; watch it with them so you can discuss what you've seen. You might want to point out all the heroic moments as well. Remember to let them experience their emotions without telling them they are 'being silly.' Your children are as entitled to their feelings as you are, so give them the space they need to experience them. If you have religious beliefs, this is also a good time to share them with your children."
