
What to tell your kids when they ask, Why do bad things happen in the world?
There are so many tragedies and horrific events that occur around the world, which can sometime lead your children to ask, Why? - photo by Tamsyn Valentine
Many of us have heard of the recent terrorist attacks that occurred at the Brussels airport in in Brussels, Belgium.

This is just on of the many attacks that have occurred around the globe this year.

With all this conflict, your children are bound to be exposed to images or stories of people suffering and dying at the hands of frightening terrorist groups.

So what do you say when your children ask, Why do bad things happen in the world?

Obviously there is no simple answer, but here are a few tips to help ease their fears.

Acknowledge their fears

When discussing frightening events with your children, address their fears and let them know it's ok to be scared.

However, after you acknowledge their fear point out that scary things happen everyday, and we need to go on with our lives having the hope and the courage that good things still frequently happen and there are good people in the world.

Limit the exposure

With so much media exposure daily, even small children are bound to see frightening events or occurrences.

As a parent you cant always prevent this from happening, but in your own home you can monitor what they are and arent exposed to. Understand that young children cannot process certain events and it can actually harm them, so it is important to be mindful of this.

Promote Hope

Your children look to you and your reaction to the world around you. In these situations you can be an example of hope and faith that things can and will get better.

You can teach your children that they cannot solve all of the worlds ills, but they can make it better by treating others with kindness and respect, and donating their time and strength to good causes that help those effected by tragedy.

We never want our children to have to deal with these sorts of events, but sometimes they, and we, are forced to confront them.

We can be an example to these children and show them that no matter what happens in the world, we can always be a force for good.
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