Helping Children Cope
Preparing Your Child for the Flu Season
The daily flood of news concerning the H1N1 flu is unsettling for many people including the very young. As a parent or teacher, your concern and confusion is easily transmitted to your children; if you are anxious or upset, your children are more likely to be so as well.
Here are a few suggestions on how to maintain a sense of security and normalcy:
* Acknowledge and normalize their feelings. Encourage children to ask questions. Find out what specifically they are afraid of and address those issues first. Let them know that others, including adults, feel the same way and that their concerns are normal and expected. Be prepared to answer the same questions several times, because once may not be enough. If you can't answer the question, it's OK to say so.* Be reassuring. Children will take their cues from you, especially young children. Acknowledge the fear of getting sick, but stress the likelihood that you and they will be okay. There is a difference between the possibility of a flu pandemic and the probability that it will affect them personally.
* Talk at a level they can understand. Share information that is appropriate to your child's age and development. Don't overwhelm young children with details; keep your answers short and simple. School age children can undertand details and reasons behind specific events, but may struggle to understand "pandemic-level" information. Adolescents are more likely to seek the complexities of the situation. Update children of every age as information changes.
* Spend time together and be physically affectionate. When stressed, children may want more physical contact that usual. Reassure them that you care and that you understand his or her concerns. Be an empathetic listener and be patient in responding to their questions. Doing enjoyable activities reinforces your children's sense of stability and normalcy - such as eating meals, reading, playing sports or games.
* Maintain a normal routine. Keep regular schedules as much as possible, including meals, play- and bedtimes. Doing so is reassuring and promotes a sense of physical and emotional well-being. Encourage children to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities, but don't push them if they appear overwhelmed.
Written by Trish Christian, M.N., RN, CS, CEAP
Edited by
Mary Sue McClain
COPElines are published by COPE, Inc.