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| How to Handle Kids' War Play |
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| Kathy |
| 03/20/03 at 07:54:21 |
| How to Handle Kids' War Play By Annetta Miller Upset to see your child pretending to drop bombs from his toy airplanes in response to current events? Don't force him to stop, but keep an eye on it. "This behavior helps kids work through their fears and feel more in control," says Diane E. Levin, author of Remote Control Childhood? Here are other smart ways to respond. Use words that heal. Say, "What happened makes me worry. How are you feeling?" Open-ended questions can gauge his level of understanding; don't push beyond what he wants to know. Then offer reassurance: "I know this is scary, but I will do my best to keep you safe." Point out the positive. Encourage your kid to role-play the actions of someone who makes a happy difference in others' lives, such as a police officer or firefighter. And avoid repetitive viewing of disturbing TV news, which can reinforce a youngster's idea that danger is ongoing. Watch for negative play that doesn't go away. If, after several weeks, he's still stuck on the same grim scenario, contact a child therapist for help. Family Life magazine, December 2001 |
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