How to talk to children about terrorism
With terrorism attacks having occurred rather often in the last months, the impact on people has been tremendous. The latest attack that took place on May 22 in Manchester, United Kingdom, was especially traumatizing for young people, as many children and teenagers were attending the Ariana Grande concert where the explosion took place. It is only natural that children will be affected and will start asking questions, and it is your duty as a parent to take care of their emotions in such situations.
Here is how you can discuss with your children the delicate topic of terrorism.
First of all, listen carefully to your child’s fears and worries, as this will create a feeling of safety, empathy and understanding. Don’t forget to offer reassurance and comfort, and avoid complicated and worrying explanations that could be frightening and confusing. Children fear what they do not understand fully.
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You should also tackle the issue of bullying and abuse, as some children may feel like targets due do their appearance or faith. Make sure to talk if your child is experiencing any signs of bullying and reassure him that it is not his fault and that they can always talk about this problem. In case the problem is serious, contact the school for further help.
Moreover, your child should understand that someone’s faith does not make them a terrorist, and explain to him that most people are scared about the attacks just like him.
In case you feel your child is not handling the news very well, you can always call Childline and seek professional help and guidance, for free and with full confidentiality.
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