| Your Kids and the Economy: Helping your student cope with uncertainty. |
Current world events, including the "economic crisis," can be unsettling for youth. Children may be confused or fearful that they or their family are at financial risk. Adults needs to help children feel in control, even if they themselves feel vulnerable or angry.
Take care of your own needs. Deal with your own reactions to the situation. You will be better able to help your children if you are coping well. If you are anxious or upset, your children are more likely to be as well. Talk to other adults about your concerns. Take care of your physical health. Keep a normal routine for yourself & your children.
Acknowledge & normalize their feelings. Allow children to discuss their feelings & concerns, & encourage questions. Let them know that many people are feeling the same way & these worries are normal. Be a good listener.
Spend time together as a family. Do enjoyable activities together; this reinforces your child's sense of stability & normalcy. Eat meals, read, play games or sports, go for walks, or watch a movie together (talk about it afterward!). Your love & support are the most important factors in their sense of security.
Be optimistic & emphasize people's resilience. Focus on compentencies in terms of daily life & other difficult times. The country has been through difficult times before & we can make it through with help from friends & family. Help children identify what has helped them cope with other difficulties in the past.
Prepare your children for any anticipated family changes. Do not hide the truth from your child, but do not go into too much detail. Answer questions with a positive spin & stick to the facts. Young children may need repeated reassurance. Tell them they are okay & adults will take care of them.
Communicate with your child's school. Contact your child's teachers or school counselor to ensure support at school, find resources, & to understand what your child is learning at school. School can sometimes be a stable place when many family changes are occurring. Communication with school can help monitor your child's reactions to economic stress, including sleeping & eating changes, agitation, increases in conflicts, physical complaints, delinquent behavior, & poor concentration.
Tips adapted from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) crisis handouts, October 2008. www.nasponline.org |
