Let them know they’re safe, loved, and not alone.

• “I love you and you’re safe right now.”

• “I’m here with you and I’m not going anywhere.”

• “There’s nothing you can say or ask that would upset me.”

Name emotions and let them know it’s okay.

• “It makes sense to feel scared or confused. That’s really normal after something like this.”

• “I can only imagine how scary that would feel for you.”

Give them space to process at their pace.

• “Do you want to talk more about it?”

• “How are you feeling in your body today? Any tummy aches or trouble sleeping?”

Just listening is often the best support.

• Avoid saying: “Don’t worry,” or “It’s going to be fine.”

• Instead say: “Thank you for sharing that. I’m really proud of you for talking about it.”

• “That’s a good question. I don’t know the answer right now, but I’ll try to find out.”

This helps clear up confusion or misinformation.

• “What have you heard about the flooding?”

• “Did you hear something from a friend or online?”

Use calm, age-appropriate language.

• “There was a really bad storm that caused major flooding and some people died. There are also some people hurt or still missing. People are helping and doing their best to take care of everyone.”

• Make sure children are safe and their basic needs are met.

• Allow them to feel sad or cry. It’s a healthy part of the grieving process.

• Encourage them to express their feelings by talking, drawing, or writing.

• Limit repeated exposure to traumatic news coverage or upsetting images.

• Let them sleep in your room for a short time or use a nightlight if it helps them feel safe.

• Stick to familiar routines, like reading bedtime stories, eating meals together, or playing games.

• Offer choices to help them feel some sense of control, such as picking meals or clothes.

• Watch for sudden changes in behavior, speech, or emotional responses.

• Reach out to a mental health provider if symptoms persist longer than a few weeks, especially if they include:

  • Flashbacks or reliving the event

  • Difficulty sleeping, racing heart, or frequent startle responses

  • Emotional numbness or withdrawal

  • Ongoing sadness or signs of depression

• Expect children to "be brave" or "tough it out."

• Force them to talk about the event before they’re ready.

• Get frustrated if they express strong or unexpected emotions.

• Punish behaviors like bed-wetting, tantrums, or thumb-sucking as they may be temporary regressions.

• Make promises you can't guarantee, such as saying, "Everything will be fine tomorrow."