6 tips on how to talk to your kids about the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has permeated our TV, social media, newspapers and conversations.??It’s no surprise we are feeling helpless, shocked, scared, outraged and anxious.?And we are seeing it unfold in a way we’ve never seen before.??With social media, we are seeing videos and posts by the people ow Ukraine in real time.??It’s devastating to see the suffering.?

In times like this, your children will be hearing about it from many sources, and they are going to have questions.??Although it’s not an easy topic, we need to be there for them to answer their questions as best as we can because if we don’t, they may come up with their own ideas and that can cause extra anxiety and fears.?

???First - Check in with yourself -?Chances are you have some feelings and opinions on the war and it’s important you approach the subject in a calm and centered way for your kids.??It’s so important because anxious parents mean anxious kids.??When kids are stressed and anxious, it will come out in their behavior.??You might not realize that, for example, their refusal to go to school or unplug from their phones might be their way of coping with their anxiety.??And if you don’t make that connection, you might punish, yell or criticize them which will make things worse.??

Remember, you probably know much more than they do.?Take a moment, before you talk to your kids, to check in with how you are feeling.?Your kids are going to turn to you to see how they should act and react so it’s really important you show knowledge and confidence!

???Talk openly about it -?don’t be afraid to bring it up.?Since your kids have likely been hearing about the invasion from peers, news, social media and in school, you can discuss it openly. Make it part of a regular conversation or while you’re together in a normal routine like when you’re in the car, sitting on the couch or at the dinner table.

??Ask what they know:?Asking open-ended questions can help you gauge your kids’ knowledge, as well as their emotional state. The key is to really listen and watch for non-verbal cues to see where they’re at.??Encourage them to express their feelings and remind them that you are a safe place for them to talk openly without judgement or criticism.???

???Keep it Age Appropriate: You need to make sure you manage how you talk about the situation.???Parents should approach talking to their kids about this war with their children differently depending on their age and developmental level.??Use words your child already understands. The motive for this conversation should be to give them age-appropriate information to help keep them safe, alleviate their worries and to answer any questions they might have.

Remind and show them how far away the conflict is.?That they don’t have to worry about anything like that happening in their neighborhood and it’s your job to understand what’s happening and to keep them safe.?

You can tell them that lots of people are talking about it because we care for others even when they live far away from us.??You can acknowledge that there will be some people who have to move from their homes (to keep their family safe), and some will be hurt and killed.??That is a reality of war and above all else, THEY are safe.??

????Keep the conversation open –?let your kids know they can come to you at any time to talk about their fears and worries!?Remind them that?keeping them safe is your job and show them all the ways you are ensuring you are keeping your family healthy.??If they ask you questions, be honest and age appropriate.?If you don’t know the answer, be honest, look it up and share with them in an age-appropriate way.?

???Avoid Information overload?– to help manage your stress and anxiety, as well as your kids’, avoid having the news on all the time.??It can be hard to resist with constant breaking news, but it will fuel anxiety and that’s not good for anyone.??If you want to stay current, take time away from the kids to take in the news.??

Pro Tip

You want to be the one in charge of the messages.?Your kids are going to turn to you to see how they should act and react so it’s important you show knowledge and confidence!

?Thank you Robbin your advices are precious???, we hope this article will help you and guide to talk to your children, please share with anyone you think would like to come across our tips.?

If you have any questions, Robbin will be delighted to answer them for free on the LiveMore app using the Ask feature.

?? To download the app: https://livemore.onelink.me/EtGG/84b86018