How Wars Affect Children & What Parents Can Do To Help — An Emotional Perspective

War is unwelcome to all, as the consequences of an uprising between countries are often devastating and leave deep physical and emotional scars beyond recovery. The most vulnerable group of people, such as our children, gets impacted in various ways. Perhaps, their innocent minds raise questions for which you have no clear answers. In this blog, we’ll try to help parents by giving tips on how to help children emotionally during rifts between nations.

How Does War Impact A Child’s Emotional and Psychological Well-being?

When we hear the word ‘war’, sudden anxiety and fear strike in. No matter how bold a person is, nervousness, fear, and uncertainty will surely cloud the person’s mind. Although war is distressing for all, the most impacted groups are our little ones. They experience horrific events, and suddenly their daily lives are far from normal. The sound of the war siren, gunfires, and airstrikes influences their feelings deeply, leaving a lasting imprint of fear and helplessness that may persist for years. 

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When war happens, schools are closed so that children can be kept safe. They are not allowed to leave their homes; they can't play or do activities that were a part of their routine life. For a tender soul, these sudden changes are emotionally overwhelming. For no fault, they start living in constant fear. A deep sense of uncertainty and insecurity surrounds children, especially when they don’t fully understand what 'war' means. Witnessing relatives or neighbors being injured or killed in the conflict may lead them to ask their parents difficult questions—questions that often have no simple or reassuring answers.

Some of the emotional impact of war on children:

• Persistent fear and panic

• Feeling nervous and helpless 

• Sleep disturbances and night terrors are common

• Emotional trauma may occur for displaced children who leave their homes and move to other places for shelter

• Post-traumatic stress disorder may occur where symptoms of intense anxiety, flashbacks of destruction that the child may have experienced

• The child may avoid unknown people or fail to form new social connections later in life

• Mood swings occur with episodes of excessive crying or throwing temper tantrums

• The child may get startled easily, even with minor triggers. A simple fire alarm can remind them of the war siren

• Inability to enjoy regular activities is present

What are the key things that make a child fear during wars?

When acts of war take place, children are also exposed to unknown situations that leave a scar in their tender minds forever. Certain situations, like military patrolling the streets, curfews where civilians are not allowed to step outside their homes, shortage of food supplies, and emergency alerts, can cause intense fear in children.

Know How To Explain War To A Child 

How Can Parents Help?

During crises, your little one will look up to you for support, care, and reassurance that everything is fine. Being a parent, you may feel unsure about how to support them and respond to their queries in the best possible way. 

1. Involve them in age-appropriate discussions and allow them to ask you questions. You should explain to them the honest facts. Check their feelings and let them share their worries and concerns with you.

2. Offer compassion and never dismiss their fears. Explain to them that sad feelings are fine, and you are always there for help and support.

3. Give them constant reassurance that they are safe and guarded, this will lessen their anxiousness considerably.

4. When talking to your child, make sure that you are not using ‘labels’ for any communities or countries. Always spread compassion and peace, not hatred and violence. 

5. Spread awareness about the frontline workers during warfare, such as military people, doctors, nurses, and all those people who are working tirelessly to keep the civilians safe. 

6. Keep them away from social media, new updates, and upsetting visuals as much as possible. Too much information overload only adds more anxiety.

7. Take care of yourself because children often pick up your responses to the upsetting events going on during a war. They may see you in nervousness and feel more sad and anxious.

As parents, try to engage your child in activities that they enjoy and limit exposure to news and war updates. Try to implement positive things in daily life so that their sense of fear and insecurity subsides slowly.