Effectively parenting during an active fire and its aftermath may seem near impossible, especially when tensions are high, and stress and uncertainty rule daily life. When you feel like there’s nothing you can do, just know you can at least control how to help your children through this time. Children look to their parents, teachers, and other caregivers to learn how to cope during and after the events; turning to them for information, comfort, and help. Responding to their needs and worries in a healthy way will help them deal with all of the complex emotions associated with traumatic experiences.
In the aftermath of a disaster, there is often a media storm of coverage for days if not weeks. Media coverage can be confusing and stressful for children. Here are guidelines for helping children understand media coverage and limit their exposure.
Processing Emotions During Disaster RecoveryExperiencing a disaster is devastating in many ways, especially in terms of emotional health and mental well-being. Learn about different emotions that may arise in response to a disaster and tips for navigating tough emotions to start the process of healing.