5. Monitor Their Media Consumption
This mostly applies to older kids that have access to the internet. As an adult reading the news online is overwhelming, confusing, and the facts are hard to find—let alone this burden for a child.
We need to make sure we are taking the lead on helping our kids process the news. We need to determine which sources are comfortable with them getting information from and also need to limit the amount of time they spend consuming news media.
If we don’t keep tabs on what information they are consuming from the internet, it’s very possible they could be overwhelmed by the tragedy that fills the headlines. Even the commercials on Hulu come with scenes of empty parking lots or packed hospitals.
Make sure you open up a conversation about what images they have come across while watching TV, on social media, or browsing the internet.
Determine what limits feel appropriate for your kids, keep checking in with them about what they are seeing online, and talk about the headlines they are seeing together.
As you navigate these tricky conversations a life giving verse that can help guide you is Philippians 4:7. It says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Speak these words to your children, reminding them that in Christ we have access to supernatural peace, no matter our circumstances.
Even beyond that, we have the ability to ask God to give peace to those that are suffering! Invite them to turn their worries into prayers and use discretion on how much you share with them. We can carry the heavier pieces of information that come with this Pandemic for our kids until they are old enough to have the capacity to process something as difficult as this is for us all.
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for the Daily Bible Devotions App, she has work published with Her View from Home, also for the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. You can find out more about Amanda on her blog or follow her on Instagram.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Wavebreakmedia