Helping Your Child Overcome Trauma

We all wish our kids could have a good, easy life, but sadly that’s not always the case. We can try our best to protect them from terrible things, but there’s only so much we can do. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our kids experience traumatic events. And when they do, it’s our job as parents to help them through it.

But overcoming trauma isn’t easy. It’s not easy for adults, and it’s not easy for kids. But it’s not impossible. We can help our kids through this, even if we don’t know how. We just need to find out.

1. Make Them Feel Safe

The first step is to give our kids a safe space. That means we need to stay calm and collected when they aren’t. Kids have trouble regulating their emotions, so it’s our job as parents to be their stable support. And if we can maybe separate a little corner of the house to create a safe spot for them, even better.

It’s our job to maintain routines. It gives kids a sense of normalcy that trauma takes away. We can also help them by warning them whenever a change happens or we want to try something new. It’ll be easier for them that way.

2. Be Affectionate

Trauma can change the way our kids see the world. It can change the way they see themselves in it. That’s why it’s so important that we keep showing them how much we love them.

Some kids are more affectionate than others, so if our child doesn’t want us to hug them, that’s perfectly fine. But if they like it, this is the perfect time to hug them for as long as they want. And if we can spend more time together than we normally do, the better.

We need to show them that we love them. Whether through hugs or quality time together, all that matters is that our kids feel loved.

3. Teach Them to Relax

None of us are born knowing how to relax. And those who’ve experienced trauma, no matter the age, will struggle to relax. But it’s likely our kids haven’t yet learned how to let go of tension and anxiety. That’s where we come in.

We can sit down and listen to soothing music together. We can teach our kids how to breathe slowly and deeply. We can show them the beauty of life while also acknowledging the pain they are feeling. We can ease suffering without invalidating their experience. As parents, it’s our job to teach our kids these things; this is the perfect time to start.

4. Be Patient

The most important thing we need to remember is that every child reacts to trauma differently. Every child also overcomes trauma in a different way, and they all do so at different speeds.

The best thing we can do for our kids during this time is to be patient with them. All we have to do is support them and encourage them. But we can’t push them. We can’t pressure them to get better faster because they won’t. We’ll just hurt them more if we do that.

5. Try Counseling

Another key way to help our kids recover from trauma is to find professional help. As their parents, there’s only so much we can do for them. But a counselor can help them deal with and overcome their trauma in ways that we can’t. That’s why they’re considered professionals.

As parents, we have to do what’s best for our kids. And if our kids are in bad shape, it’s our job to get them the help they need. Fox
Child and Family Therapy is here to help and provide additional support if and when
you’re ready.  Reach out today, 913-229-5691.