Parents Helping Parents: Help For Children When Scary Things Happen

Dsc00678 Sharon C. Peters, of Parents Helping Parents, had some advice for parents about what to say to children when sad and scary things happen. She lives on 11th Street and is responding to the death of the construction worker who died this week when the scaffolding he was standing on collapsed.

At Parents Helping Parents, located in Park Slope, Peters offers help to families facing transitions as well as those sorting through
everyday challenges.

According to Peters: "Practical suggestions help parents find solutions
to problems that have been hard to unravel at home. Parents get to talk
about what has or hasn’t worked for them and try new strategies to move
their families forward." 

As a family coach, Peters give parents and children the tools
to deal with acute or ongoing issues in their lives. She is also the Family Issues consultant for  Park Slope Parents where this list appeared.

I for one was always curious about that little storefront on President Street.

1.  Spend plenty of time with your children.  Try and make the time 
relaxing and comforting by letting the child choose the activities 
you do together.

 2. This is not the time to try and help a child with their 
 behavorial problems.   it is a time to recover from a confusing and 
 traumatic incident.  Temporarily suspend corrections and 
 adjustments,  you will have plenty of time to try again when things 
have returned to a more typical pace.

3. .  Answer all of your child's questions and try and set up 
 conditions that will help them ask questions or talk through what 
 they experienced.  Games can help this happen,  but sit down talks 
 can also be useful.  Remember your perspective and theirs might be 
 very different.  Try to set up a ;way to hear theirs not yours be 
 dominant.  Some children don't share what they are thinking,  they 
 just like to be  playing and close to family – that is a fine way 
to recover from such an incident.

4.   Reach out to other parents and families for support.  Don't 
 stay isolated.

5.   Get plenty of rest and good food.  It can help ease tensions 
 and stress.

Sharon C. Peters
Parents Helping Parents

One thought on “Parents Helping Parents: Help For Children When Scary Things Happen”

  1. Dear Sharon,
    What wonderful information you are offering to parents to help their children. I am an educator and a writer. My first children’s book, Ride to the Stars, could possibly help along these lines. If you would care to email me, I would be honored.
    Sincerely,
    Suzie Courtney

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