The world can be a confusing place for kids sometimes, and when natural disasters like the Japan earthquake and tsunami strike, it can be even harder to fully understand what's going on in the world.
Kids' emotional responses to these events can span the same spectrum as adults' emotions, including feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, empathy, and sadness. But without the maturity or full capacity to comprehend what's going on in these types of situations, it can be overwhelming, and kids can even be affected by post-traumatic stress disorder.
Have your children been asking about what happened in Japan? Are they learning about the earthquake and tsunami in school, or have they seen the media coverage since it happened? Have they experienced fear or anxiety that those things will happen here at home, and how do you discuss things like natural disasters with your kids?
Our Moms Council will lead the discussion, but you can join in by logging in to Patch and commenting below. Check out a similar debate happening right now at Riverhead Patch.
