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SissyGoffVideo May 24, 6 31 25 PM.mov

SissyGoffVideo May 24, 6 31 25 PM.mov

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In part one of this two-part series, Dr. Chinwe Williams shares signs that indicate when your child is in a crisis. She describes a crisis as any psychological, environmental, or social shift that your kid may have trouble coping with. They may react externally or internally, and for each child, their personal crisis is different. These reactions are out-of-the-ordinary behaviors in your child, from clinginess and a sudden onset of thumb sucking to withdrawal from friends and things they liked to do.
So say you have noticed these changes in your kid. Now what? Communicate with your child
Communication is the most important step in recognizing and handling when your kid is in a crisis, Dr. Williams shares. But that sounds easier said than done for most parents-whether you have a preschool-aged kid who is just mastering talking or a high schooler who'd rather talk to anyone but you, talking and understanding each other is difficult on the best days.

That's why age-appropriate, open-ended communication is something parents must foster with their children. For younger kids, you can ask them to draw you a picture about how they're feeling, or engage them in play. For adolescents, you'll likely have to initiate the conversation again and again. If you're getting nowhere with a direct approach, ask them how their friends are handling unsettling current events, etc. to open the door for personal feelings.

Above all, Dr. Williams says, with teens, parents should remember to be encouraging and not pushy.

"As a parent, we want what's best for our children," Dr. Williams says. "Sometimes the urge for parents is to push too hard and that has the opposite effect of what they're really desiring."

Tune in to the podcast to learn more about how to initiate tough conversations and important resources available to you and your kids.

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PCL 66: How to Talk To Your Kid About Crisis - Parent Cue

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In part one of this two-part series, Dr. Chinwe Williams shares signs that indicate when your child is in a crisis. She describes a crisis as any psychological, environmental, or social shift that your kid may have trouble coping with. They may react externally or internally, and for each child, their personal crisis is different.

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Let's face it, we were hoping 2021 would be phenomenal. And it still may be. But the images of the violence that took place in our nation's capital were deeply disturbing and once again, placed us parents in the undesirable position of having to engage in really tough conversations with our kids.

As parents, when chaos and confusion erupt, our immediate thoughts are typically:

How are my children translating these events? Should I raise the subject? If so, how do I go about it?

And: How can I respond without further confusing or traumatizing them?

Navigating difficult terrain is all part of the parenting journey. It will never be easy. But in a crisis, it is mission-critical to help kids make sense of what's happening and manage any anxiety they may be experiencing.

Here are five tips that might help.

Initiate the discussion.

When faced with speaking to kids about a tragic event, the tendency for most parents is to distract, avoid, or get that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look. Broaching difficult subjects can be challenging for parents who fear that talking about sad things might cause unnecessary harm, but studies indicate the opposite. Research suggests that in the wake of a traumatizing event, talking to your kids helps them to feel safe. Hearing about or witnessing frightening images on the news or online is very unsettling, and addressing it may cause additional anxiety for kids. So, it's best to initiate the topic because, chances are, they have already overheard some conversations and may be confused. In teaching your kids about the world (as scary as it is), you become a trusted source for information and help them cultivate tools needed to become critical thinkers.

Respond in developmentally appropriate ways.

Navigating complicated topics such as violence and injustice can be tricky, particularly when speaking to younger kids. Knowledge of your kids' maturity level, temperament, and how they perceive the world, will serve as your guide. Younger kids may shrug off the news, but your tween may have lots of thoughts and questions. Answer honestly. And listen earnestly to what they say no matter how mundane or off-topic. At any age, keep in mind that kids who are highly sensitive will have a tough time absorbing distressing information and may feel a degree of burden. So, use your best judgment and take your cues from your child. Consider the drip method. Just a little bit at a time and discontinue if you notice an increase in distress.

In preparation for these conversations, here are some potential prompts:
What do you know/think/feel about what's happened recently? What are your friends saying about this situation? This must feel very scary to you. I am scared too. Do you want to talk about it? What are some things we can do as a family to help you feel safer? Many people, including our leaders, don't see the world in the same way. What are some of your solutions on how to move forward? (for teens) That's a really good question. I don't know the answer. Maybe we can find out together.
As unpleasant as it might initially be, having difficult conversations with our kids offers a unique opportunity for important discussions about history, race, civics, empathy, and justice. As you share, remember to avoid negatively labeling groups, communities, or political parties-only label behaviors. With younger kids, be sure to emphasize any acts of heroism and how the event is being addressed, either through investigations or preventative measures.

Encourage the expression of fear.

When your kid learns about a tragic event, it's normal for him or her to feel anxious, overwhelmed, and fearful. Fear is an intense human emotion. At the heart of fear is a strong desire to any perceived threat to safety. As parents, we have the awesome ability to offer safety. Utilizing a calm vocal tone and soft facial expressions helps to bring calm to our kids' nervous systems. Encouraging them to share their unpleasant feelings and having those feelings validated creates emotional safety. They may be initially reluctant to share, but let them know you are available when they are ready. And finally, encourage your kids to take their biggest worries and fears to God - their fiercest protector!

Depending on the nature of the event, may also feel unsettled. Kids are sensitive to their parents' anxieties, which can intensify their own. If your anger or fear becomes overwhelming, postpone the conversation and connect with your own support system.

Limit media exposure.

Experts are clear. The best person to deliver difficult news to kids is a trusted adult. But in the age of the 24-hour news cycle and non-stop phone notifications, our kids often hear the stories before we do. This can be problematic as news delivery has increasingly become sensationalized. An overconsumption of media following a tragic event is linked with increased anxiety. Limit media and refrain from watching the news coverage or scrolling through social media before bed. Instead, encourage your kid or teen to listen to soft music, or read a funny novel. For younger kids who may experience upsetting thoughts or dreams, encourage them to "put in happy thoughts" such as the thought of someone who loves them or visualize having fun with a friend. I also recommend breathing exercises. You can practice by saying, "Let's breathe in slowly, then count to three, then exhale to a count of three."

Maintain routines and meaningful activities.

Following a crisis, individuals who fare well become laser-focused on the things that matter. Deviating from what is familiar can generate increased anxiety. Maintaining family routines creates a feeling of safety. Engaging in meaningful family activities enhances feelings of stability and improves family bonding. Following a scary event, all humans, no matter the age, benefit from reassuring words, comfort food, and extra cuddles.

While parenting in the midst of chaos is never guaranteed to be 100 percent successful, what I learned most from 2020 is that the chances of success are greatly improved when we lean on the support of others. My prayer is that God will continue to give us a greater capacity to find moments of joy and contentment even through the most challenging of times.

If your child's anxiety doesn't improve or seems to worsen after three months, seek immediate help from your pediatrician or a mental health professional.

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5 Ways to Support Your Kids During Scary Times - Parent Cue

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Let's face it, we were hoping 2021 would be phenomenal. And it still may be. But the images of the violence that took place in our nation's capital were deeply disturbing and once again, placed us parents in the undesirable position of having to engage in really tough conversations with our kids.

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MUSIC / CLUBHOUSE / FUN - WORSHIP (Preschool)

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MUSIC / CLUBHOUSE / FUN - WORSHIP (Preschool)

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Talking with Elementary Kids about Faith

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Talking with Elementary Kids about Faith

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MUSIC / BIBLE /So & So Show WORSHIP (Pre-Teen)

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MUSIC / BIBLE /So & So Show WORSHIP (Pre-Teen)

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MUSIC / BIBLE / FUN - WORSHIP (Elementary)

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MUSIC / BIBLE / FUN - WORSHIP (Elementary)

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It's time for learning and lots of fun!

Play safe, free, online games with your favorite Bible characters. Test your memory, practice coloring, and challenge yourself - all while having a blast and learning at the same time.

Jesus is Born Video The Resurrection Video

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Play safe, free, online games with your favorite Bible characters. Test your memory, practice coloring, and challenge yourself - all while having a blast and learning at the same time. Jesus is Born Video The Resurrection Video

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Now is the time to start having conversations with your kids about racial unity and equality.

Each day, we're faced with a sad, difficult-to-swallow truth: Our unity with one another is broken. We know the answer is Jesus, so why is it so for us to come together?

Eighty percent of what kids learn is from their parents, so that means there's an increased likelihood they'll inherit our fears, anxieties, biases, and prejudices. The media is filled with examples of a lack of awareness, acknowledgment, and forgiveness when it comes to racial diversity. Unfortunately, many of us have long taken a "Nothing is broken and everything is fine" approach to this growing tension.

That's why conversations need to start right now with your children. Talk about race in an age-appropriate way. Remind your children that although God created us to look differently, He loves us all the same. And He wants us to love everyone like He loves them.

If we want to live authentically in the fullness of God's love, we have to step over racial divides, acknowledge God's creativity in all things, and seek to mend broken relationships. We can start working toward racial unity by having conversations and teaching our children about race and equality.

Start the conversation by embracing the way your child thinks.

Kids inherently think in categories, so help them understand what 'ethnicity' is in the context of God's creation of nations, tribes, and different races they notice each day. Teach your kids to acknowledge racial differences through positive, beautiful words.

If you don't understand ethnicity enough to explain it to your children, start researching for yourself first. Also, take a look at your own friendships - do your relationships model the mosaic of God's creation? If not, perhaps diversifying your friendships is the first step.

Be intentional about exposing your kids to various ethnicities and experiences. Buy toys of different ethnicities, read books that have characters that look different from them, and let them visit different churches that are diverse so they can interact with kids who look nothing like them.

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PCL 40: Why You Need to Talk About Race With Your Kids - Parent Cue

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Now is the time to start having conversations with your kids about racial unity and equality. Each day, we're faced with a sad, difficult-to-swallow truth: Our unity with one another is broken. We know the answer is Jesus, so why is it so for us to come together?

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Embark on a great adventure with the bestselling Bible for kids! Shop our products and discover free online Bible games and activities.

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You Make Me Brave (LYRICS) - VBS 2021 (1)