The storm and the associated flood disaster have Austria firmly under control. This situation and the media coverage are quite stressful, not least for children and young people. That is why the telephone helpline Rat auf Draht advises to deal with the subject openly.
“It is important to convey that you are there for your child and that he or she can always come to you,” according to a list of tips.
Younger children should view the reports under supervision
In short, you should focus on the children’s questions. “Of course, you can’t have an answer to everything yourself, you can certainly tell your children that. But give a perspective, for example that you read this information and then tell it to your child,” said Lena Kaiser, psychologist and counselor at elternseite.at. Younger children in particular should not watch the reports about the events unsupervised or unfiltered. Conscious media breaks (both from TV and radio and from social media) are also helpful in keeping calm.
Structures provide security
In any case, children’s concerns and fears should be taken seriously. All reactions are “allowed and normal”. It is also important to resume normal daily life. “Especially with such drastic events, structures and a somewhat normal daily routine offer your child security”, says Kaiser. It is also important to convey to the children that everyone stays together and that many people support each other. But it still takes time to process the events of the past few days.
Helping can support the processing
A next step in the process could be to involve the children and perform tasks that are appropriate for their age. Even if you are not personally affected, it can be useful to become active and support other people and get involved in your place of residence. In all this, however, you should pay attention to the physical and psychological condition of the child. If you notice significant changes over a longer period of time, you should seek professional help.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
