Information for Parents

Coping with Stress
Terrorist events can be difficult for adults to process but can be even more difficult for children. The manner in which the media portrays such events can contribute to this difficulty. Younger children often do not realize that the images on television are being replayed, but think they are seeing new event every time. Parents and adults talking with children can provide both reassurance and emotional support during these times.

When talking with your child, be aware that children may respond differently to an event depending on their age. Young children may cry or express other emotion while teenagers may pretend they are unaffected. Adults can play a large part in limiting the damaging effects a tragedy may have.

Consider the following to help your children cope with disaster:
Before and during an emergency, make sure that at least one adult will be with children.

Help your child memorize important family information. They should memorize their family name, address and phone number, and know where to meet in case of an emergency. Children too small to memorize this could carry a small index card that lists emergency information.

Give children guidance that will help reduce their fears. Children depend on daily routines. They wake up, eat breakfast, go to school and play with friends. When emergencies or disasters interrupt this routine, children may become anxious, confused or frightened. They'll look to you and other adults for help.

How you react to an emergency gives children clues on how to act. If you react with alarm, a child may become more scared. He or she may see fear as proof that the danger is real. If you seem overcome with a sense of loss, a child may feel his or her loss more strongly. Take these feelings seriously. A child who feels afraid is afraid.

Your words and actions can provide reassurance. When talking with your child, present a realistic picture that is both honest and manageable. Feelings of fear are healthy and natural for adults and children. In an emergency, children are most afraid that someone will be injured or killed, they will be separated from the family, or they will be left alone.

Calmly and firmly explain the situation. As best as you can, tell children what you know about a potential disaster. Explain what will happen next. For example, say, "Tonight, we will all stay together in the shelter." Get down to the child's eye level and talk to him or her.

Encourage children to talk. Let children talk about the disaster and ask as many questions as they want. Encourage children to describe what they're feeling. Listen to what they say. If possible, include the entire family in the discussion.
From "Helping Children Cope With Disaster." developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.

For further information about helping children cope with stress, visit the American Red Cross at
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/1303en.pdf for young children,

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/1356en.pdf for middle school aged children, or

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/1355en.pdf for high school aged children

Additional steps:
While you can not be with your child at all times, you can take some steps to help ensure their safety in the event of an emergency. Check with your child’s school, day care, or other location where your child spends a large amount of time to see what their emergency policy and plans are and in particular their dismissal policy. This is important to know because you may not always be able to pick up your child if a disaster were to occur. Check if they would dismiss your child to a relative or friend.