• Take your children away from the war, if that’s possible. Create  a safe place for them with his toys, pictures, books that are relevant to them.

•  Spend more time with your child holding your child close, playing games, reading, watching pictures, drawing.

• Talk to your child. As much as you can. When your child ask something, answer him/her with reassurance.

• Ask them  what they think and what they feel about it. He/she may say he/she is  afraid. Tell them that fear is all right and it is normal to feel this way, and encourage them by saying „It  will be okay” or “I will take care of you.”, “I am here with you, together will succeed”.

• Less news and TV during a time of war. It is okay that your children know what\s going on, but don’t’ expose them to constant stories about war.

•  Limit the amount of news your child watches during the time of war. Turn off the TV or radio when war coverage is on.

• Monitor your children Internet usage to to be sure that they  don’t navigate on  sites that will give gory or sensationalized accounts of war.

• Realize that the stresses of war may heighten daily stresses. Your child might normally be able to handle a failed test or teasing, but be understanding that he may respond with anger or bad behavior to stress that normally wouldn’t rattle him. Reassure him that you just expect him to do his best.

• During a time of war, children are reassured by regular schedules.

• As a parent, make sure you take care of yourself.

• Tell children that they will be all right.  If a member of family is in the military, you can tell to the children that this is their family member’s job.

• Pray with them, if you believe in God. Go to the church, if it is possible.

• Watch your children for signs of fear and anxiety that they may not be able to put into words. Encourage them to write or drawing about what they fell in that moment.

• Enlist your children’s’ help, because they will  feel more in control and more confident.

• When you talk about difficult moments, make sure you talk about the good times in the future as well.

Author: Marilena Trifan, Clinical Psychologist