Helping Your Kids Cope with Fear Culture
It isn’t always easy to help kids cope in a culture of fear. With all the things we see on the news today, it’s no surprise we have the highest anxiety rate we’ve ever seen in the U.S. And now, with a new pandemic on the rise, there is more than enough fear and panic to go around.
So how do we help our kids cope with fear?
Validate their concerns
Even young kids pick up on things that are happening and can be concerned or afraid. Even if there is nothing to fear, it’s important to validate their feelings. Something like, “I understand you’re afraid. A lot of people are afraid, but let’s talk about what’s actually happening” can let your child know you understand them without attaching shame.
Explain the reality
Things can get very scary in a child’s mind if they don’t have the correct information. Between what they’ve picked up on the news, social media, and from peers, it’s likely they have a pretty incomplete picture of the situation at hand. Explain what’s happening, how, and why. Talk about how to stay safe without being anxious or afraid. Helping kids stay informed of what’s actually happening will go a long way in helping them cope.
Model rational behavior
Kids are going to have a hard time coping with fear if adults are panicked and anxiety-ridden. They model the behavior they see, even if there are no words attached to it. Showing your kids first-hand how to respond calmly and rationally will ease their fears and help them respond in the same way. Lead by example.
Reassure them
Reassure kids that no matter what, your family will face any situation together. Remind them they’re never alone and that you’re there to protect and guide them through. And always go back to the facts. The facts can be extremely helpful in decreasing anxiety.
Be available
Keep an open line of communication with your kids. Ask them what they’ve been hearing so you can either correct any misinformation or put information into perspective. Things can easily get blown out of proportion and cause panic, so talking to your child often about how things are going will help ease fears.
Walk in faith
There is no better way to help our kids combat and cope in a fear culture than with faith. We don’t have to panic or worry about things we can’t control because we have everything we need in Jesus Christ. He is our source and our provision.
It’s time to activate our faith and know that nothing is too big for God and that He can take every situation and turn it for His glory. For me, that means even in death I win because I’ll be at home in Heaven. And when death can’t scare you, there’s no fear that can win.
If we believe it and live it out in front of our families, they’ll truly know what it looks like to walk in faith instead of fear.
The culture of fear
We are constantly battling a culture of fear in our world today. The nightly news shows the lowest of lows while social media spreads news faster than anything we’ve ever experienced.
The more extreme the news is, the faster it travels, and when talking about social media it doesn’t even have to be true to spread like wildfire. The rumor mill can now create fear and panic all across the world in a matter of minutes.
Some would argue that keeping kids sheltered from any of this is the best policy, but my stance is that keeping them informed is keeping them safe. They’ll be able to see how to handle situations properly and have a frame of reference for the next disaster, whatever it may be.
Let’s raise smart, compassionate kids who are equipped to help their peers cope with fear.
Let’s be fearless.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7