News and rumors about Swine Flu and other pandemics can cause fear in single parent families. Here are some tips for talking to your kids to calm their fears.
Steps to Overcoming Fear of Swine Flu (H1N1), and All Pandemics, with Your Children
| Author: LaSara Firefox Allen MPNLP | Posted: 09/13/09 | ||
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1. Research the topic. Read sites like the World Health Organization, and your current local coverage.
2. Address any fear present in yourself before you have a conversation.
3. Address the issue with your child, or children. Ignoring it will not help your child to work through the fear.
4. Use this as an opportunity to get back to the basics of hygiene. Your kids can avoid contracting this virus the way we do all the others; washing hands frequently, not sharing eating utensils, not touching someone else's mouth or nose, not using someone else's toothbrush...or hankie for that matter.
5. Cite the facts of the current situation, in a calm and restrained way.
6. Tell your child that there have been many other pandemic and other scares that didn't pan out as expected. (In other words, all of them, since 1918, right? (SARS, Avian Flu, killer bees, Ebola...remember?)
7. Let your child know that all measures are being taken that are necessary at this time; if further measures are required, we will all know.
8. Explain that those who are most at risk are NOT your child, or you (unless this is not true); most at risk are infants and young children, very old people, and people with compromised immune systems.
9. Explain that the more people who get the flu and recover, the better off we all are. That when we get the virus, our bodies create immunities, and the immunity itself helps to stop the spread of the illness.
About the Author:
LaSara Firefox Allen, MPNLP, is a game designer (www.GratitudeGames.com), author, educator, advocate, coach, and speaker. She helps her clients find balance in their lives, and alignment with personal and family-held values. She teaches and coaches internationally. LaSara is mom to two amazing daughters, and wife to an outstanding man. Find out more at http://www.lasarafirefox.com. Join LaSara on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/yoga_mama!
