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Reduce Recession’s Affect on Home Office & Other Kids
By Jeff Zbar | March 6, 2009
The home office may be a great place to work. But it’s not beyond the effects of a down economy.
And that means kids can be susceptible to the impacts as well.
It’s important to keep kids informed of the realities the family faces, while not being overly dramatic. Those are some of the tips from a booklet from Nova Southeastern University and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The guide offers parents and caregivers tips to help children cope with a recession. From concerns about money to making sure the parents are tended to, six tips help families with kids cope in the down time.
Among some of the other tips:
- Take care of yourself: Remember that children depend on the adults around them to feel secure, so it’s important that you take care of yourself. If you are worried or upset, your children will be too. Even very young children can tell when something is wrong.
- Limit TV and other media time: Overhearing news coverage or adults talking about America’s financial problems, like job cuts and people losing their homes, cause kids to worry. Limit your own exposure to the media, especially when you are with children.
- Choose words carefully. Comments like “We just lost your college savings”; “I might lose my job”; or “We can’t afford that” can upset children. Instead, offer reassuring words. For example, “We have enough money to pay for food and our house, but we may need to spend less on eating out;” or “We saved money for times like these.”
- Talk to your children. They can sense stress and become anxious or upset if no one communicates to them. Just give them a basic explanation of why people are upset or worried and what impact it will have on them personally.
- Watch for signs. Seek help. If your child is showing signs of stress, tell your pediatrician. Concern is natural for children; let them know adults are working to fix the problems. But keep a keen eye out for changes in their behavior, like mood, friendships, or school performance.
- Plan family meetings. Family meetings are a very effective way for families to encourage healthy communication. It can be a time when family members learn how to get along with each other better. Parents can also use the time to share family values and cultural beliefs.
ShareTopics: Family Life, Home-Office |