| FEAR- its a big topic these days. I'm seeing so many | | | | withdrawal from others. Stay open and connected to |
| children, teens, and adults impacted by fear. Whether | | | | others even in time of great difficulty. This is a |
| it is fear from a weak economy, fear from not doing | | | | powerful opportunity to allow others to support you |
| things good enough, fear of embarrassment, or fear | | | | and will deepen the relationship. |
| of spooky things in the closet, fear impacts | | | | 4. Do not impose adult problems on your children: |
| everyone. Create open opportunities to explore what | | | | You child does not need to know the specifics about |
| things you or your children are afraid of. By gently | | | | the stress you may be encountering. It is not helpful |
| asking what kind of things are you scared of you | | | | for you to share with your child your financial worries |
| may uncover some areas you can grow more. The | | | | or job worries. You do not need to share specific |
| creative tips below will help you create emotional | | | | details with your children. For instance if they ask for |
| safety as you explore your (and your child's) fears. | | | | something you cannot afford you can answer |
| Fear has rippled through the economy and impacted | | | | with,"We are choosing not to buy that right now", |
| daily choices. How has it impacted the average | | | | rather than, "We can't afford that, you know things |
| household and what are some creative ways to | | | | are really hard right now and we do not have extra |
| reduce stress for the whole family? | | | | money for you to get whatever you want". |
| As much as you would like to believe that adult | | | | 5. Be open without being fearful: |
| worries do not impact your whole family, it's just not | | | | You can model open communication with your family |
| true. Children are tuned into their parents moods and | | | | without giving a message of fear. If you are talking |
| actions. This occurs from the attachment bonds as | | | | about the state of the economy or about someone |
| babies and continues throughout the parent child | | | | who lost their house or job you can clarify how your |
| relationship. When there is uncertainty in the | | | | family is safe. For example, "That happened, but we |
| household it impacts the whole family and creates a | | | | have a savings account, a good job, our home, and |
| sense of feeling psychologically unsafe. You can use | | | | each other". |
| some of these tips to help create a feeling of safety | | | | 6. Listen and normalize: |
| and consistency even during fearful times. | | | | Sometimes listening is enough, without trying to |
| 1. Keep a schedule: | | | | problem solve. You can normalize feelings by letting |
| I can't stress this one enough. I know that life is filled | | | | your child know that adults have feelings like worry, |
| with unexpected events that can change a schedule | | | | fear, sadness, anger too. Talk about how it is normal |
| at any moment: however creating a schedule and | | | | to have these feelings and different ways they can |
| doing your best to maintain it provides consistency | | | | express these feelings, such as journal writing, talking |
| and safety. | | | | to a friend, petting the dog, going for a walk, etc. |
| 2. Follow through with meaningful rituals: | | | | 7. Do something: |
| When families face crisis there is a tendency to | | | | Cognitive behavior therapy suggests that doing |
| isolate from others and most rituals and celebrations | | | | something different or thinking something different |
| are diminished. It is important to honor celebrations, | | | | will influence how you feel. If you want to reduce |
| even at times when things are difficult. The | | | | the worries and fear it's time to take action. Turn off |
| celebration does not need to be "fake" or pretending | | | | the bleak news and do something pleasurable. Have |
| things are fine if they are not. Instead find a way to | | | | an art night scheduled where everybody in the family |
| honor the person or situation in a respectful and | | | | makes something together. This is a great way to |
| loving way. | | | | build relationships, have fun, while doing something |
| 3. Stay connected: | | | | emotionally positive and teaching valuable |
| Fear, loss, and embarrassment often leads to | | | | self-soothing skills. |