Helping Kids Cope with Devastation from the Alberta Floods

Calgary - we have the worst and the best; the worst flood in 100 years, but some of the best grief and trauma counselors in Canada. My favourite, hands down, is Shannon Laycraft. 

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I met Shannon years ago when I was a new volunteer at Hospice Calgary. She inspired me and showed me how to help and support grieving kids. As a high school guidance counselor,   I referred many grieving students to Shannon, always confident that they would find a caring and knowledgable  counselor. 

You can see, for yourself,  an example of Shannon's care and sharing. Today, on her  Facebook page, she posted the  following tips for helping kids cope with the devastation they may face after the flood; the information is from the heart, chock full of wisdom, and with no purpose other than to help the children in our communities.

So, here is a copy of Shannon Laycraft's Facebook posting "Supporting Children after the Flood".

 " 1. When you first take them back to your home after the flood, prepare them for what they will see (let them know specifically how your house, yard, area will look different before they see it). 

  2. Let them know that their house looks like this because of the flood. If they have questions about floods, answer them Provide age appropriate answers and not too much information for their age; just answer what they have asked. Let them know that these things don't happen very often. Know that children are magical thinkers and sometimes will blame themselves for these types of events (maybe ask them what they think caused the flood and tell them that sometimes people wonder if something they did caused the flood; then reassure). Older children may be very interested in all things related to floods and may have lots of questions. This is normal. 

 3. Provide them with opportunities to express their feelings (maybe give them a notebook and crayons to draw pictures about how they are feeling).

 4. Reassure them that you will all be okay; That this situation is temporary. (If they have upset feelings, let them know that these will also get better with time and let them know that expressing their feelings (drawing, talking, writing,...) is a very important way to help them feel better.

 5. Provide lots of affection and comfort.

There is a workbook called "When Something Terrible Happens" by Marge Heegaard which is a great resource for children and families going through this difficult time. Love to everyone in High River!!! xoxo"

Easy, peasy, practical tips for parents, friends and neighbours to help kids understand and cope with the changes in their lives caused by this disaster.

Thanks again, Shannon, for helping us take care of traumatized and grieving children!

Warmly

Wendy

B.Ed. B.MusA Diploma Nursing, Certificate Thanatology