Children may react to military action in different ways. Some children may become quiet. Others can become angry and feisty. Preschool children may think of it as something big and scary, like witches and monsters, while school age children can understand more about what is going on. Use the checklist below as a guide to help your children feel safe and secure.

As a Parent of Caregiver, I:

___ Try to stay calm in front of my children, even when I am scared or worried.

___ Try to keep things as normal as possible so that my children will feel safe.

___ Tell them that the military event is real, not make believe.

___ Tell them that it is okay to be scared or worried.

___ Help them find ways to talk about their feelings.

___ Let them know that their absent parent will do everything possible to stay safe.

___ Keep my children close to me so they feel safe.

___ Know that my children and I may need help from professionals.

As a Family, We Talk About:

___ How the homes and schools where we live are safe and not likely to be harmed.

___ How the people in charge are doing good jobs and that there are people who can protect and care for us in dangerous times.

___ How we are still a family even if a parent is away from home.

___ Ways we can lend help to others (prayers, hopeful thoughts, etc.).

Click here for a PDF version of this checklist.

Children may react to military action in different ways. Some children may become quiet. Others can become angry and feisty. Preschool children may think of it as something big and scary, like witches and monsters, while school age children can understand more about what is going on. Use the checklist below as a guide to help your children feel safe and secure.

As a Parent of Caregiver, I:

___ Try to stay calm in front of my children, even when I am scared or worried.

___ Try to keep things as normal as possible so that my children will feel safe.

___ Tell them that the military event is real, not make believe.

___ Tell them that it is okay to be scared or worried.

___ Help them find ways to talk about their feelings.

___ Let them know that their absent parent will do everything possible to stay safe.

___ Keep my children close to me so they feel safe.

___ Know that my children and I may need help from professionals.

As a Family, We Talk About:

___ How the homes and schools where we live are safe and not likely to be harmed.

___ How the people in charge are doing good jobs and that there are people who can protect and care for us in dangerous times.

___ How we are still a family even if a parent is away from home.

___ Ways we can lend help to others (prayers, hopeful thoughts, etc.).

Click here for a PDF version of this checklist.

It is natural for families with deployed parents to want news about a military action. Unfortunately, news reports and pictures can often confuse or scare children. The checklist below gives parents and caregivers ways to handle children's fears and concerns about military actions.

As a Parent or Caregiver, I:

___ Know how much news exposure my children get about military actions.

___ Make sure that the military event is not the only thing we talk about at home.

___ Keep my children from watching news before bedtime.

___ Let my children discuss what they see or hear about the military action.

___ Tell my children that they are safe in our home.

___ Tell them that their deployed parent is doing everything to stay safe.

___ Remind them of the many adults (friends, teachers, child care providers, other relatives) who can help take care of them and keep them safe.

___ Keep my children close to me so they feel safe.

When the Television or Radio is on, I:

___ Watch or listen to the news with my children.

___ Talk with my children about what we see or hear.

___ Help my children identify the "helpers" in the situation, so they can see the people who care for others.

When my Children Seem Scared or Upset by the News, I:

___ Make sure that the programs they watch are age-appropriate.

___ Give them extra attention, hugs, and comfort items.

___ Help them share their feelings through talking, drawing, playing, etc.

It is natural for families with deployed parents to want news about a military action. Unfortunately, news reports and pictures can often confuse or scare children. The checklist below gives parents and caregivers ways to handle children's fears and concerns about military actions.

As a Parent or Caregiver, I:

___ Know how much news exposure my children get about military actions.

___ Make sure that the military event is not the only thing we talk about at home.

___ Keep my children from watching news before bedtime.

___ Let my children discuss what they see or hear about the military action.

___ Tell my children that they are safe in our home.

___ Tell them that their deployed parent is doing everything to stay safe.

___ Remind them of the many adults (friends, teachers, child care providers, other relatives) who can help take care of them and keep them safe.

___ Keep my children close to me so they feel safe.

When the Television or Radio is on, I:

___ Watch or listen to the news with my children.

___ Talk with my children about what we see or hear.

___ Help my children identify the "helpers" in the situation, so they can see the people who care for others.

When my Children Seem Scared or Upset by the News, I:

___ Make sure that the programs they watch are age-appropriate.

___ Give them extra attention, hugs, and comfort items.

___ Help them share their feelings through talking, drawing, playing, etc.