If your child is experiencing disaster anxiety, she's not alone. The recent earthquakes, tsunamis and nuclear radiation fears in Japan have not only dominated the news--they've left an indelible impression on the minds (and nerves) of our kids. Though your child may not have the language or insight to communicate her stress, it is important that you are able to recognize the signs of disaster-related anxiety and face the fear head on, together, as a family.
Communicate
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents sit down with their kids to listen to and accept their children's feelings and fears. Make it clear to them that whatever they are experiencing is understandable and that you are there to support them in dealing with their fears. Try to reduce further anxiety by providing a stable and consistent atmosphere at home. Encourage family discussions about the disaster and how it affects the people involved, the world and your family. Have your children draw pictures about the disaster or about their fears, thoughts, dreams or fantasies. Encourage older kids to keep a journal.
Understand
Do not pressure your child to discuss their anxiety or the disaster if they do not feel ready. Make allowances for stress-related displays of unusual behavior--becoming overly angry, frequent crying or whining, sudden shyness or even violent outbursts between siblings or on the playground at school. All of these are indications of deep anxiety and are to be expected when your child is feeling overwhelmed by the world's chaos.
Younger children may even resume infantile behaviors, such as bed wetting, thumb-sucking or not being able to sleep alone.
Empower
Help your child feel empowered and ease his anxieties by openly discussing the situation and developing a disaster plan of action with your family. Discuss ready escape routes, create contact cards for each member of the family, and make sure each child knows at least one or two phone numbers of caregivers in the area. Create a plan for what you will do with your pets in an emergency. Learn basic first aid and CPR techniques, pack an "emergency" bag for each family member and make digital and hard copies of important documents, then upload them to an online storage site, and seal the copies in a water-tight container that can be carried with you in an emergency evacuation. Be sure to include favorite stuffed animals in the evacuation discussions with your younger children, and ask the older kids to think of three or four belongings they would want to take with them if the family had to evacuate in a hurry. This not only gives them the sense of control over a potentially chaotic situation, it will also make them feel prepared and assured of what to do in the event of a natural disaster in your area. Finally, make sure your kids understand that the odds are against anything as devastating as the Japan crisis occurring in your neighborhood, but that it's always a good idea to plan ahead, just in case.
Helpful Resources
