Talking to Children about War

[Lavender]

We just watched the news tonight. My son is very upset about the war. Although, we sat together and talked through the whole thing, I know he's still going to have nightmares tonight.

Most of the sites I've come across are more for dealing with the attack on Sept 11th.

http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/war.html

[MammaStar]

The trouble I'm having with my son is that he's all "let's go do it!" for this whole thing. Because he watches things and listens to things he's told in school.

I've been explaining that there are kids just like himself that can get hurt just because they were born in a country that doesn't really give a darn about their people.

*sigh* he doesn't seem scared, which kind of scares me. *sigh*

[Faery-Wings]

My kids are sleeping still, they don't know. And I am not sure how to explain it.

Here are a few more links:

This is a link for teachers, but has lots of links that might be helpful:
http://faculty.nl.edu/jmoo/war.html


http://www.allprodad.com/6explainingwartokids.asp

This one might be helpful for military families. It has a section on how to explain your deployment:
http://www.questium.com/news/ng/vol5/gen.html#working_and_living

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,1-4412,00.html


The only thing I know I will doing with my kids is turning the tv off. And be honest.

[Faery-Wings]

Two more links:

http://www.parents.com/articles/ages_and_stages/3259.jsp

http://www.slu.edu/readstory/newslink/2424

After reading all of these, maybe I'll have a clue. :rolleyes:

I did sit down with my kids at breakfast this morning and told them a bit about it. We looked at an atlas so I could show them how far away Iraq is. I told them they didn't have to worry about our safety but to think of the service-people who are there. I am sure Scott will hear something on the bus or at school, so I wanted him to be a bit prepared.

[Yvonne Belisle]

I get to tell my kids that their stepdad may have to go and could get killed. :(

[Lavender]

Aww! Eve, is Richard over there right now? :(

[Yvonne Belisle]

No and I am praying they resolve this before he gets his teeth because most of his unit has been activated.

[Faery-Wings]

(((((HUGS))))) Eve.

[Lavender]

Erick is more concerned about the families losing their homes. We were watching the news, showing the people going up into the mountains with their belongings. He was reassured by the fact that it's safer for them up there. We're taking it one day at a time.

Eve, how are your kids handling this?

[Yvonne Belisle]

I spent two hours tonight explaining politics ethics and war to my sons. They did not want to leave the tv set getting them to bed was difficult. They worry over Naillosotarrain they don't want anything to happen to him. Demetri said he is the best dad he has had and he doesn't want him to die. This war is going to be my personal hell with the kids I am sure of it. :(

[MidnightSun]

Coming from a "kid's" perspective..I think the best thing you can do is just act normal and reassure us that we are safe. I stayed home almost all week from school because I wanted to be with my family. It's scary. Now, granted, I am 17, but it's still unnerving either way.

[Faery-Wings]

I got this in my FLYLady email today and immediately knew to post it in here:

http://www.ncpsychiatry.org/coloringbook.html

It is a coloring book resource designed to help children discuss their fears about war.