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When a child experiences a traumatic event, their recovery is likely to take time. You, as the parent, can help them by providing comfort and reassurance as well as being a safe and trustworthy person they can confide in. First and foremost, it’s crucial that children who have suffered a traumatic event need to feel safe and secure. This could be through verbal or physical expressions of love like hugs, holding hands and stroking their back. Try to be calm around the children as they are quick to pick up on adult anxieties. Here are some other tips on how to help children recover after a trauma.
Keep to their normal routine as much as possible
Trauma can cause a lot of upheavals which is why it’s important to maintain their regular routine as far as you can such as meal times and bedtime as well as reinforcing good behavior. Give them the opportunity to enjoy themselves with friends and to do activities which they enjoy to help them get back to normality.
Minimize their exposure to news coverage
Try to limit the amount of TV, films or news broadcasts that focus on disturbing events. Children need to understand that bad events are temporary and being surrounded by negative information can make this difficult to believe.
Practice active listening
Make sure that you understand what is going on in their head and what they are focusing on, but it’s not the time to ask lots of questions. Let them know that you are there if they want to talk and when they do open up, practice active listening rather than passive.
Seek professional support
Sometimes a child may need professional support or counseling to process what has happened and to develop healthy coping mechanisms. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, contact a specialist counseling facility such as Elevations RTC.
Help them relax
There are ways to help children to ease their anxiety when it creeps up on them and one of the most effective is also very simple: breathing exercises. Breathing into the belly and out through the mouth while counting to 3 can bring the heart rate down. Here are some breathing exercises for kids.
Acknowledge their feelings
If your child tells you that they are worried about something, don’t dismiss what they’re feeling by saying, ‘you shouldn’t be’ or ‘there’s no need to be worried.’ This may make them feel as if their feelings are invalid which might be embarrassing and discourage them from being open. Instead, confirm that you recognize what they are feeling and invite them to share more.
Be honest when you don’t have an answer
Adults often feel that they need to appear to be all-knowing to their children, but it’s perfectly fine to tell them when you don’t know the answer to their question or concern. It’s far more important that you are there for them and listening.
Understand that every child’s recovery will be unique
No two people will deal with trauma in the same way and children are exactly the same. Some may want to around you all the time; others may seek solitude or spend more time with their friends. Trauma can also bring about a range of emotions including sadness, anger, and guilt but they are often expressed in different ways.
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