Helping Kids Heal from Traumatic Events

What helps kids recover from traumatic events? How can we help them move beyond scary experiences? 

"I have a 5-year-old son who has become more and more clingy over the past year. He doesn't like to do anything without me, and when I go away, he becomes really upset. A few weeks ago he got lost on some trails near our house. He was alone for over an hour on the trails, cold, wet, and expecting me to show up any minute. I was the one who found him eventually, and we were both pretty scared. Since then, anytime I go mountain biking, he becomes really upset and angry. Tonight he sat on the front step and wouldn't budge until I came home. He yells all kinds of mean things at his Dad and says he doesn't know how to take care of him. I've tried talking to my son about it, but I don't know if he really even understands why he's feeling what he's feeling, so how can he express it to me?" - B.

This is a great question! Children can easily be traumatized by events that adults perceive as temporary or non-threatening. 

Obviously, this experience of being lost was terrifying for you both, but for your son - it was the last straw.  

Six Ways to Help Kids Who Worry

I used to worry all the time. I was a master at generalized anxiety. 

My daughter also tends to worry. She's often unsatisfied with my answer to her concerns or she thinks deeply about matters which seem to burden her young mind unnecessarily.

When I was a child, I didn't have the skills to deal with my anxiety. I didn't know what to do with the many thoughts and feelings that plagued my overactive mind. (Throughout my adolescent years, I was convinced that I had a terminal disease and spent many hours contemplating my imminent demise.) 

I needed a support system: 
PEOPLE
PERSPECTIVE
- and a PLAN.


Now, I find clarity and peace through simple mindful activities such as meditation or yoga. 

If I need a new perspective, I go for a walk or take a drive with the windows down and my favorite music blaring, or I call a close friend for support.

And sometimes, I veg out in front of the TV until I feel motivated to change watching reruns of my favorite childhood sitcoms with my daughter. 

They're not only fun to watch but also a source of constant parenting inspiration. 

The other day we watched the Brady Bunch episode, "Eenie, Meenie, Mommy, Daddy." It's the one where Cindy is the star of the play but can only invite ONE guest to see her perform.

She worried about it for days, and got conflicting advice from everyone until she finally quit the play! It got me thinking about how kids hold in their worries and don't always know what to do. 

In this TEACHable Moments video, I'm sharing six ways you can wipe out worries by creating healthy habits that help kids thrive.


What we say and how we say it can make the difference between a worry that grows into a debilitating fear and a worry that becomes a teachable moment, learning about endurance and how to take control of our thoughts. 

After you watch, I'd love to hear from you. What has been your child's biggest worry and ONE ACTION STEP you can take to help?  Leave me a comment and share your story!

Thanks so much for watching and for sharing!

Talk soon,
Lori

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