If Russia's invasion of Ukraine has left your children confused and frightened, there are several ways to help them feel more secure, a psychologist says.
First and foremost: Talk to your kids, and be honest, said Christopher Lynch, director of Pediatric Behavioral Medicine for Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morristown, N.J.
Kids can often tell when parents are withholding information. If you don't provide the full picture, they may get wrong ideas about the situation and think they're in danger.
"Children benefit from honest explanations about what is happening, but those explanations must be tailored to the age and developmental level of the child," Lynch said in a hospital news release.
Here's how to talk with your children about the war and allay their anxiety:
Even if kids appear fine, parents should talk to them to assess their thoughts and feelings.
"Talking to your children about the invasion will show them that it is OK to talk about difficult feelings and that we are there to help them," Lynch said.
More information
Save the Children has more on talking with children about the Ukraine conflict.
SOURCE: Atlantic Health System, news release, March 11, 2022