The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has led to additional stress for families that are already amid a global pandemic and continually increasing inflation. Children, especially technology or gadget-friendly children, feel the stress too, as they often don't understand wars and feel bad about all the deaths and destruction. As a parent, you are responsible for making things easier for your kids by explaining complicated things to them. Here are a few suggestions on how to explain the Russia-Ukraine war to kids.
Being Age-Specific is
Important
When explaining war to kids, you
need to be age-specific. If your kid is aged seven or under, you can keep
conversations about war to a minimum as they might not be familiar with the
conflict. However, if your kid is more than seven years old, you need to tell
the true facts about what's going on, but you should avoid getting into the
gritty details.
Don't Avoid the Subject
It is also a wise idea not to
ignore the topic or ask your kid to shut up if they are curious, as it might
push them to get the information from somewhere else, especially unreliable
sources. Ask about your kids' fears and tell them they are not in danger. You
are there for them.
Take a Break from the News
If you think that all the
negativity is stressing you or your kid out, you should take a break from the news.
Put the phone down and spend quality time with your family. You can also do
things together like sing, watch a movie, play video games or bake!
Share Positive News
When war-related news comes on
TV, focus on positive news like people who helped others escape and people who
provided shelter to strangers. This will make your kid realize that the world
isn't as bad as it sometimes seems.
Help Those in Need
If you are financially stable,
you can donate to the war victims or volunteer in any way to help those in
need. Be a role model your kid can be proud or imitating. Doing even a little
bit to help those who need it is better than sitting in front of the TV and
blaming the politicians or the people who initiated the war.
Stay Calm
Your kid always looks up to you
for inspiration. Even small kids imitate your behavior without realizing it.
So, during this ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis, you should keep yourself calm. Show
compassion towards those who deserve it and never spread false information or
panic. When discussing the war with others, don't take comments personally but
give logical responses.
Let Your Kid Express Their
Emotions
As a parent, you also need to
show your kid that it's okay to be scared or angry about traumatic events like
war. They can express their feelings in front of you. Then you can teach them
how to control those feelings and not let those feelings impact their day-to-day
life and activities.
Sources:
https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-the-war-in-ukraine-5124125
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ukraine-children-psychology-trauma-1.6373215
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-ongoing-crisis-in-ukraine-1.5800189