What Do I Tell My Kids During COVID and Riots?

What do I tell my kids during COVID-19?
How much news do I share with my preschooler?
Why does the topic of racism spark heated conversations with my teen?

Parenting is hard, always. A world pandemic and social unrest compounds the job. With littles, be sure the information you share is developmentally appropriate for the age and stage of your child. A good rule of thumb is “short answers for short people.” Little kids are typically satisfied with a simple answer. They will ask more questions if they need more information. This post, How to Talk About COVID-19 to Young Children, will help you.

When discussing any topic the truth is always the best. Choose a variety of news sources you can trust. Initiate conversations regarding hot topics. With your tweens and teens, have honest and straightforward discussions. Keep to the high road, not blaming or pointing fingers but stating the issues clearly. Then listen to your kids and their point of view. Talk to your tweens and teens calmly.

The news is enough to cause sleepless nights for all, so limit media. This includes social media platforms. Make discussing fact from fiction is part of the conversation. Rumors and misinformation create tension and stress. Look up the facts with your teens. The resources listed in Avoid COVID-19 Rumors and Fear are helpful to discern the facts.

© 2020 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.

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