Hard Conversations

It's been a really challenging week for all of us, and many of us are questioning how to talk to our kids about some of the really hard things going on in our world. This episode talks through some of those concerns and gives some thoughts and suggestions on how to approach this.

Like most things, the degree to which you talk to your kids about certain topics or situations depends on their age. If you do decide to start a conversation, here are some suggestions and things to think through:

 Ask them what they know - this will let you know what information they have and what their perspective is about the situation, which can help you know where to start, what information you need to share or clarify, and how you can best support them.Don't assume your kid's silence means they're ok or they haven't heard anything about the situationFollow their lead - their behavior will tell you when they're done, when they've had enough, and when they're ready to talk more

Specifics of these conversations can be so tricky, and it's important for us to approach them in a safe, supportive way. We discuss some additional suggestions and things to consider:

Manage your own feelings - it's ok to show emotion, but we also need to remain steadyValidate their feelings - feelings, thoughts, responses - even if they sound inappropriate or unhealthyBe honest and answer all their questions - once you open the window, you need to answer as many of their questions as you can. You can't shut down the conversation as it starts to get hardInsert Cues of Safety - focus on schedules, positive interactions, attunement, connected relationships, etc.

Subscribe, rate, and review us on Podchaser, Apple,  or wherever you listen to podcasts!

We're planning a Q&A episode!! Send us your questions to [email protected]!!

Follow us on social media to join the conversation!!!
Facebook
Instagram