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Supporting Your Children After a Crisis

Writer's picture: RIZERIZE

A critical incident—whether a natural disaster, a community tragedy, or a personal loss—can disrupt the lives of everyone in the family. For athlete-parents balancing the demands of their careers with the responsibility of helping their children process trauma, the challenge can feel overwhelming.

Children often struggle to make sense of a crisis, and their reactions can range from anxiety and sadness to confusion and fear. As a parent, your support, presence, and actions play a critical role in helping them recover emotionally and rebuild a sense of safety and stability.

Here’s how you can guide your children through this difficult time while caring for your own well-being.



Supporting Your Children After a Crisis

1. Acknowledge Their Emotions

When children experience a significant loss—whether it’s their belongings, home, or sense of normalcy—they need validation for their feelings.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • Use open-ended questions to encourage expression:

      • “How are you feeling about everything that’s happened?”

      • “What’s been the hardest part for you?”

    • Normalize their emotions by reassuring them:

      • “It’s okay to feel scared or sad. I’m here to help you through it.”

    • Encourage creative outlets like drawing or journaling for younger children who might struggle to articulate their feelings.



2. Reassure Them of Safety and Stability

A crisis can leave children feeling insecure and uncertain about the future. Helping them feel safe is essential to their recovery.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • Reinforce routines to restore a sense of normalcy: regular bedtimes, family meals, or time together reading or playing games.

    • Speak calmly and clearly about the future, emphasizing security:

      • “We’re working hard to make sure everything will be okay.”

      • “Even though things are different right now, we’re all safe, and we’ll handle this together.”

    • Minimize their exposure to distressing news or conversations about the event.



3. Be Honest and Age-Appropriate

Children often sense more than adults realize, and withholding information can create confusion or mistrust. Providing honest, age-appropriate explanations helps them process the situation while ensuring they feel safe and supported.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • For younger children: Use simple and comforting language.

      • “Something very sad has happened, and it’s okay to feel upset. We’re going to get through this together.”

    • For older children: Offer more context while still focusing on support.

      • “This is a really hard situation, and things will be different now. But we will figure out how to move forward together.”

  • If the Loss Is Permanent:

    • Acknowledge the loss honestly while providing reassurance of support.

      • “I know it’s hard to understand why something like this happens, and it’s okay to feel sad or confused. What’s important is that we’re here for each other.”

    • Avoid promising unrealistic outcomes, but emphasize the strength of the family or community:

      • “We can’t change what happened, but we can focus on taking care of each other and remembering the love we share.”

  • Why This Matters:

    • Honest communication builds trust, even in the face of difficult truths.

    • Providing age-appropriate explanations prevents children from filling in the gaps with potentially scarier ideas or misinformation.



4. Encourage Connection and Community

Feeling part of a supportive group can help children heal. Connections with family, friends, and even teammates create a sense of belonging during uncertain times.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • Organize opportunities for your children to spend time with friends or teammates, whether it’s a practice, a casual game, or a group outing.

    • Involve them in community recovery efforts, such as volunteering or helping neighbors, to give them a sense of purpose.



5. Look for Signs They Need Extra Support

Every child processes trauma differently. Some may bounce back quickly, while others might need additional help.

  • What to Watch For:

    • Trouble sleeping or nightmares.

    • Persistent anxiety, withdrawal, or irritability.

    • Difficulty concentrating in school or activities.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • Check in regularly to ask how they’re feeling.

    • If concerns persist, seek professional support, such as a counselor or therapist experienced in working with children and trauma.



6. Model Healthy Coping Strategies

Children look to their parents for cues on how to handle adversity. By modeling resilience and self-care, you show them how to navigate challenges.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • Share your own feelings in an age-appropriate way to normalize expressing emotions:

      • “I’m feeling sad about what we lost, but I’m also grateful we’re safe.”

    • Practice self-care and talk about its importance:

      • “I’m going to take a short walk to help clear my mind. Maybe we can go together later.”



7. Focus on Small Joys and Positives

Amid loss and disruption, focusing on small moments of joy can help children regain a sense of hope and gratitude.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • Create family traditions or activities to celebrate togetherness, like movie nights or game afternoons.

    • Encourage gratitude by asking them to name one thing they’re thankful for each day.

    • Highlight progress in recovery to remind them of resilience and growth.



8. Involve Coaches and Team Leaders

If your child is part of a sports team, their coach and teammates can be a valuable part of their support system.

  • Actionable Steps:

    • Let the coach know about your child’s situation, so they can provide extra understanding and encouragement.

    • Encourage your child to stay engaged with their team, even if it’s just attending practices or games.



Final Thoughts

Supporting your children after a crisis is about being present, empathetic, and proactive. While balancing your own responsibilities as an athlete or coach, remember that your love and reassurance are the most important tools for helping your children heal.

By guiding them with honesty, stability, and compassion, you not only help them recover but also teach them the resilience and strength they’ll carry with them for life. Together, you can navigate this difficult time and emerge as a family that’s stronger and more connected than ever.


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