Welcome to the new school year.  Whilst I hope that all families had an enjoyable and safe holiday, I know that the current bushfires burning across Australia have raised anxieties and directly impacted many.

Media coverage of the fires has contained graphic, scary and disturbing images of houses, animals and people affected by the fires.  Added to this over-exposure of information in the media, smoke from the bushfires stretching across our local area increases the potential to cause distress, worry or saddness for many of us, especially our children.  

Parents play an important role in supporting children and helping them to feel safe.  There is a common misconception that talking with your child may make a trauma or crisis worse, however research suggests that it usually has the opposite effect. For children, not having information is scary, and many children will fill in the blanks with their own imagination – often imagining something far worse than the truth. For older children, they make take to the internet for their answers, and this can sometimes become overwhelming.

All children cope with anxiety and trauma differently.  Some may react immediately with changes in behaviour. These changes may include acting out, becoming clingy or changes in sleep patterns or they may be inward focussed with the child becoming withdrawn and quiet.

Some children may show signs of difficulty at a later stage. Their needs will vary depending on their ages and how much they understand of what they see. However, having an open, supportive discussion with your children can help them understand, cope and even make a positive contribution. These conversations aren’t easy, but can be crucial to ensuring that children feel safe.

How can parents help?

• take notice when your child is feeling sad, frightened, angry or upset, and help them to name these emotions. Reassure them that these feelings are normal in the situation, and help them to label where in their body they may be feeling the emotions
• encourage your child to talk about what’s troubling them, and listen and show you understand how they are feeling
• if your child brings up the bushfires or smoke, find out what they know. Answer questions honestly and with solid information about how the fires directly affect your child at this point in time
• for older children, show them maps.  Ensure your information is age apporiate and avoid graphic images
• tell your children that you love them and remind them that the adults in their lives are doing everything they can to keep them safe.  Plan to spend extra time with them as they get past the distress and anxiety. Children are resilient and hopeful.
• encourage your children to engage in things that help them to feel better – connect to their community, do something physical, play with friends, or do something kind for someone else. Routine is important in helping children regain a sense of normality.