“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.” – Henry Ward Beecher

As a parent, it’s our responsibility to ensure that our kids are getting the right information. We also need to help them understand what’s going on around them. Figuring out how to explain scary events in life to your children can be daunting, but it’s possible with a few tips.

Breaking scary news to your little ones is one of the hardest things you may have to do. And while it might seem like keeping them in the dark would protect them from the awful details, they’re bound to get the information elsewhere. Therefore, it’s better that you take charge of the situation as a parent to make sure that they’re getting the correct details.

I have a few tips that I’ve found to work when it comes to explaining unfortunate events to children. So, if you have been wondering how to talk about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to your little ones, this blog will be helpful. These points will also give you ideas on how to explain death to kids and how to navigate other sensitive situations.

Find Out What They Know

First of all, find out what your children know about the topic that you want to address. There’s a possibility that they have picked up bits of information from their friends, online, or from the media.

By finding out what your kids think of the situation, you will know what you need to say to them. You’ll also find out what wrong information they may have, giving you a chance to provide them with the exact details of whatever is going on.

Be Honest with Them

Always tell your kids the truth about what’s going on around them. For instance, concerning the coronavirus pandemic, you can let them know that it’s a disease that’s affecting people all over the world. Also, explain to them how it can be spread.

Recently, I had to explain death to kids, aged two and four, when their grandpa passed on. I found that making them understand he had gone to heaven, where we would meet one day, was better than telling them that he was in a deep sleep. This meant that my children would not have any false hopes, and my explanation assured them that their beloved pawpaw was in a safe place. Without a doubt, that made it much easier for them to say goodbye.

That said, your honesty should not necessarily include all types of details, as little kids may not be able to process a lot of information as adults would. And that brings us to our next tip.

Use Age-Appropriate Content

While older kids and teenagers can understand the full implication of an event, little children below the ages of eight might not be able to. On how to explain drug addiction to a child, this can be an appropriate topic when they get to middle school. At this time, they have already been taught about drugs in school, and you can start conversations, asking them how they feel about the topic.

If your child happens to come across drugs at a younger age, you can let them know what they are, mention that they harm the body, and are illegal.

Presently, in regards to coronavirus, it can be appropriate to discuss with older children about the prospects of vaccines. You can also tell them how they can protect themselves and others. For little kids, it’s enough to let them know that you can keep them safe and that doctors are taking care of the sick people.

In a way, this is similar to shopping for baby things, where you have to pay attention to their age and what suits them best.

Allow Questions

It usually takes kids longer to process information, so you should expect a lot of questions once you talk to them about a given issue or topic. Sometimes, these questions may come days later, so you should be patient and answer them all their concerns with understanding and love. Usually, they will only stop asking once they feel contented by the information that you give them.

It will also be helpful to remember this when it comes to how to explain adoption to a child. That is because it may take a while for them to understand such a major change in their lives.

Make them Feel Safe

Whether you’re trying to figure out how to explain divorce to kids or something that can threaten their sense of normality, ensure that you’re calm and that you sound reassuring. If they sense that you’re in control of the situation, then they will not worry. Let your children know that they can always come to you if they want to know more about what you’ve discussed.

The Best Way Around It

Some things are easy to understand as an adult. But, as a parent, in most cases, you’ll find that the only thing you’ll ever have to worry about is how to explain it to the kids. Your children will trust you easily, so you should always be equipped with answers. However, don’t lie to them, instead seek more information if you’re not sure of the right way to satisfy their curiosity.

These tips can also be a guide for how to explain emotions to a child. Your little ones may wonder why people are reacting a certain way to a particular situation. Take this chance to show them how to view the world from different perspectives, something that will teach them to become more considerate.

Author’s Bio

Amalia Liberman is a mother of two as well as a novelist and writer for Top Mom. The author has been featured in Women's Health magazine and also written different articles in lifestyle magazines. Her passions lead her to search out knowledge and she doesn’t mind sharing her findings.

(Guest Post) 5 Tips on How to Explain Scary News to Kids (Like COVID)