What About The Kids?

During times of hardship and sorrow, our minds are swarmed with “what to do, where to go, what has happened”.  For many adults, along with the overwhelming weight of what to do next comes the concern about what the children have experienced as well. Here are ways to help with children who have experienced traumatic events. 

What about the kids blog post at Compass Counseling

First is to recognize trauma symptoms in children. While trauma symptoms in adult are often more obvious, children may look different.

 Things to look for in young children (ages infant to 6) are: 

  • Eating disturbances

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Clingy/separation anxiety

  • Feelings of helplessness/passive

  • Irritable/difficulty soothing 

  • Constrictive play, exploration, mood

  • Repetitive post-trauma play

  • Development regression (potty training, speech, etc)

  • General fearfulness

  • Easily startled

  •  Aggression 

  • Talking about the traumatic event and reacting to reminders (triggers)

  • Restless, hyperactive, impulsive

  • Sadness, weepy 

  • Poor peer relationships (controlling/over permissive) 

Child over the age of six many experience the same symptoms along with possible flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and suicidal thoughts. 

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, there are several things you can do to help them. 

  1. Try to remain calm- It is easy for us to get frustrated during a stressful time and when the kids aren’t acting behaved. Remember, they’re just as scared and frustrated as you are. Kids as for love and help in sometimes the most difficult ways. 

  2. Try to provide safety- In a situation where homes are lost, safety can be difficult to provide. Make finding somewhere safe a first priority. Whether that be staying with someone that the kids knows or with something that is a comfort for them. 

  3. Be honest- While children do not need to know graphic/unnecessary details, being kept in the dark can also be very stressful. Any questions that your children may have and its ok to tell them that you don’t know the answer to something. Providing too many underage appropriate details can cause more stress and anxiety.

  4.  Ensure resilience- while children are naturally very resilient, its hard in tragic to see the future. Attempt to let children know that the feelings they feel now will not always be there. That they will move on from this moment and that things will get easier. Please don’t forget to remember that for yourself too.

Parents, please don’t forget to take care of your mental health needs as well. Counseling for adults and children is available through Compass Counseling and other local agencies in the area. 

Download our Free E-Book 10 Questions to Ask Before Starting Counseling. Learn more at www.compasscounseling.com If you would like to schedule an appointment today click here!

Katelyn Rice