The world is one in offering its prayers and sympathy for France, a grieving nation which was the target of a terrorist attack by the ISIS Friday. With news coverage splashed all over the media, it's not always easy to keep the headlines and photos from the kids. As much as adults are still groping for answers as to why this horrible incident happened, the children may have some questions about it, too.
So, how do parents talk to their kids about the attacks in Paris and terrorism in general? Per Fox San Antonio, a lot of the images kids see from the terror attacks will bear some impact, and sometimes how they feel about this is connected to how their parents feel.
"The parents have to figure out how they feel about the trauma," said counselor Dr. Julie Strentzch in the report. For a healthier approach, it's better to talk the issue over with the children so that they will be able to process their emotions. "But don't go into all the details and the extra stuff because the kids just need the answer that they need," the counselor advised.
Unresolved feelings that are not discussed can develop into anxiety and depression that the kids can carry over when they are older. Child Mind Institute President Harold Koplewicz advises not to delay conversations with the kids. "It's very likely that your child will hear about what happened, and it's best that it comes from you so that you are able to answer any questions, convey the facts, and set the emotional tone," Koplewicz told Time.
The only time experts recommend avoiding the subject altogether is when the kids are still in pre-school or younger. But if they do ask questions about it, these should not be disregarded.
The American Academy of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry recommends three key points in addressing the child: listen, answer questions and show support. The organization outlines the steps parents must do in order to fulfill these on their website.
In France, youth-oriented Astrapi magazine released a supplemental literature about the incident for its readers. It answered questions about who the perpetrators were and who the innocents were, along with illustrations from Frédéric Benaglia and quotes from French children, per Mashable.
"By killing randomly in the street or in a theater, the terrorists were looking to scare everybody. Everyone said, 'It could have been me,' which is what they want," said the message from Astrapi. "The best way to answer the violence and madness of these men is to continue living normally and to defend these ideas in respect to others."
