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 Hurricane Aftermath: Helping Children Cope
Hurricanes bring stress to an entire family, but especially children. Their deep sense of vulnerability, lack of understanding and difficulty communicating how they feel make them particularly at risk in disaster situations. Below are some suggestions for helping children through these difficult times.- Speak simply and honestly about the situation.
- Be available for questions and comments.
- Encourage your child to express thoughts and feelings.
- Help children use creative outlets like art and music to express how they feel.
- Let children know that it’s okay to feel upset. Assure your child that his/her responses (symptoms) are normal.
- Be supportive and don’t make judgments.
- Find ways to protect your child from unnecessary exposure to traumatic stimuli such as media coverage of the devastation and others’ reactions.
- Reassure them. Use statements like, "It’s been scary but we will always love you and take care of you."
- Support children’s concern for people they do not know.
- Help children find a course of action and involve them in clean-up efforts.
- Maintain routines as much as possible.
- Make sure children know the family’s difficulties are not their fault.
- Give them extra patience. After a crisis, children may act younger than they are.
- Take care of your own emotions and stress. For confidential emotional support, contact your Employee Assistance Program at (202) 344-2550 or (800) 755-7002.
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