Help a child cope with a traumatic event.
Children certainly experience events on their own level just as acutely as adults do. Because they still lack the coping mechanisms and perspective that only life experience brings, an event that may seem trivial from an adult worldview can shatter young minds.
Remember that emotional trauma is internal. Our reaction to a crisis and the crisis itself are two separate things. Children are often more resilient than people give them credit for. But a bad experience, or series of them, can cause harm that persists for years.
You need to know how children experience tough times – from the death of a pet to living through a natural disaster. And how you can help them mitigate the impact of tough times.
Set an Example
Young children are very sensitive to the emotions of those around them. Anything that made your child feel insecure or anxious usually has a very similar effect on you.
So managing your own emotions is the first step toward helping your child heal. Shut yourself away for a few minutes until you are able to show a brave face again if you need to. Depending on the nature of the event, it might be wise to speak with a professional about what you yourself are going through. Since people usually mimic the behavior of role models, refusing to give up and facing events squarely is one of the most important gifts to give a child.
Be Available
Your child may be experiencing an element of shock. Something previously unimaginable has taken place. The formerly safe interior of your car might suddenly have been smashed to one side without warning. Or a beloved relative taken away in a way that’s difficult to explain.
Be there for your child to talk to, even if you don’t feel that you have adequate answers. Make sure you can at least talk about the questions together. Simply talking has a greater positive impact than you think.
It is important to talk about confusing or disturbing things a child might see on television or the internet that relate to his recent trauma. Don’t force him to talk about something that causes anxiety, Simply create an environment where he feels comfortable discussing the issues as he sees them. Above all never be dishonest.
Encourage Routine, Exercise and Good Food
The shock of the trauma, combined with the aftermath, can push a child into long-term depression. Depression among children is not inevitable but does occur. It often leads to behavior problems. Keeping a child in familiar environments doing familiar things can restore an atmosphere of safety and normalcy. Taking care of his physical wellbeing also improves his mental health.
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Often completely unexpected events and events outside our control occur. However, we can control how we pick up the pieces after the event. Doing this with care and forethought will help your child recover more rapidly. It will also equip him to cope better with future setbacks.
Change the world one child at a time! Give every child who has experienced a traumatic event a better life!
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