Sometimes, when the news is unsettling, we don’t know how to start talking about it with our kids. Or we simply avoid talking about it at all.
The day after Russia invaded Ukraine, I sat down with my 8-year-old and a globe and started a conversation. I shared that conversation with PBS SoCal in hopes that it would give other parents an entry point. Here’s an excerpt:
There’s an insight from Fred Rogers that touches all aspects of my parenting: “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.”
Our job is to provide our kids with accurate, age-appropriate information—while reminding them that they are safe and they are loved. So how do we do that?
Yesterday, my 8-year-old and I spent a chunk of time talking about the invasion of Ukraine. He understood more—contextually and empathetically—than I expected.
Here are a few things that helped:
1. A map: I pulled out the globe and asked…
