How to Talk to Your Kids about Natural Disasters

Processing the hows and whys of natural disasters can be hard enough for adults -- and it's even more difficult when you're the parent who has to explain earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, hurricanes, or volcanic eruptions to your kids. In a piece for The Huffington Post, child psychiatrist David Fassler, M.D, lays out 15 tips for talking to your children about natural disasters -- from how to start to when to stop. "Understandably, many young children feel frightened and confused," he writes. "As parents, teachers, and caring adults, we can best help by listening and responding in an honest, consistent, and supportive manner." Here are some more of his suggestions:

Be honest. You don't need to give children all the details, but answering their questions openly and truthfully teaches them that they can come to you for honesty in the future. And target your explanation for their age group and comprehension skills, using words and descriptions that they'll understand.

Be comforting. Try to relieve the worries your kids have about a similar event happening to them, or their friends or family -- but don't make promises you can't keep. "It's fine to let children know that they are safe in their house or in their school," says Fassler. "But you can't promise that there won't be another earthquake or other natural disaster."

Let them help. Talk to your kids about the ways that individuals and organizations around the world are supporting countries affected by natural disasters by donating time, money, and resources -- and about how your family could pitch in, too.

Don't force the issue. Answer their questions, but don't push kids to discuss disasters if they aren't ready: Turn off the television so they don't see a steady stream of scary footage; talk about something else over dinner; and don't be concerned if your kids just want to get back to their toys without further distraction.

Fassler stresses that there's no "right" or "wrong" way to have this discussion -- you know best what kind of information, and how much of it, your children can process -- but if you're having trouble knowing where to start, see the full list of tips. And if your child is showing signs of anxiety (including stomachaches and headaches); is unusually focused on the disaster; or is recovering from personal trauma, talk to your physician or a psychologist.

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