Traumatic events are common and may come in various forms. From accidents and disasters to the death of a relative, there are tons of events that may test a person’s faith. When these misfortunes strike, how can we expect our kids to deal with them effectively?
Below, we have prepared a brief guide that’ll help you teach your kids to find hope amid adversity. While some children may adjust well, others may go through emotional and spiritual difficulties. Find out how you can help your child heal while cultivating faith together. Read on.
Talk It Over
Recounting past traumas are necessary for recovery. Often, traumatized persons deal with distorted perceptions of what happened. Letting them talk about the past can help them process their traumas. When this happens, they’re likely to sort out their own thoughts and feelings.
The narration doesn’t need to cover everything. Since kids are likely to feel ashamed, it’s normal for them to waver at first. When this happens, it’s best not to force them into talking. Wait ’til they’re ready. Once they are, do your best to show acceptance and understanding. Avoid saying “Don’t cry” or “Move on.” Instead, let them grieve and pause if they want to.
This will help them feel more in control of their experience. Eventually, they’ll feel more comfortable opening up about their troubles. Sharing these fears can help them find common ground with the people around them. Naturally, it’ll be easier to find hope and make sense out of their experiences.
Maintain a Daily Routine
Often, when something terrible happens, families change routines to give time for healing. While this might be true to some, the safest trick is to stick to the usual schedules. Since traumatic events lead to confusion and dissociation, introducing new changes can further upset your child. Instead, try to maintain a normal household. This will give your kid the stability and familiarity he needs.
However, it’s also important to manage your expectations. Try giving them less demanding chores and activities. This way, you can encourage their participation in normal events while giving them enough time to breathe and keep up.
Have Fun
While people respond to trauma differently, common reactions typically include feeling sad or numb. Although overcoming these symptoms isn’t easy, there are ways to make these feelings more manageable. Exposing your kid to a happier environment is one of them.
Generally, kids are keenly in touch with their surroundings. This is the reason why they are likely to feel ecstatic in seeing playgrounds and pools. If you think your child is feeling blue, placing him in well-lit and colorful places may help improve his mood.
Reserve some time for a fun family bonding as much as possible. Some ideas you might want to consider include bedtime storytelling, art activities, or weekend Bible sharing.
Cultivate a Healthy Lifestyle
While it’s not advisable to be overly protective of your child, it’s okay to keep track of his lifestyle. After all, traumatic events may lead to self-destructive behaviors. To avoid unhealthy coping strategies, you can start by exposing him to some appropriate books and programs.
Prepare well-balanced meals and snacks. Allow playtime with his friends. If possible, switch off the television or tablet if the show makes your kid uneasy.
Developing a healthy habit is also good for your kid. You may teach him how to write about his feelings or make a doodle out of them.
Seek Professional Help
While there are tons you could do to help your kid, don’t overestimate your abilities. Experts are there to help. If your child is having trouble managing their symptoms, you can always consult the nearest doctor.
Fortunately, health services are now available online. From online therapies to pain management through telehealth, you can access a range of services. You can even book your child a virtual visit with a psychologist right now.
Contrary to traditional doctor visits, these online consultations allow your kid to have professional help in the safety of your home. Naturally, these allow a more family-oriented healing process, as kids need not leave the house to seek counseling.
No one likes going through a traumatic event. However, no one is immune from these terrible experiences. While there’s no way of telling when they’ll occur, we do have a say on how we’ll respond once they happen.
If your child has been through a traumatic experience, giving the right support is necessary. Make sure he’ll overcome the troubles without losing faith by following this guide.
