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Parenting under Fire: A Bomb Shelter Guide for Israeli Parents
(Times of Israel) Nathan Jeffay - As rockets rain down, how should Israeli parents talk to their children? How should they explain the dash to the safe room? What is the appropriate response to kids' fears? And what can be done with news-addicted teenagers? Susan Raanan, a mental health professional who has been working for two decades with children in the Gaza periphery where she lives, says: "The most important thing of all is for parents to remain calm and always tell the truth. Remember, children are very quick on picking up when parents are trying to make things seem rosier than they are." "Parents should explain to children that sirens are there to protect them, and explain that the sirens are the country's way of trying to keep them safe....What's really important is to practice responding to a siren ahead of time. When parents feel they are able to get to the safe room in time, they will be calmer about managing the challenge." "Don't tell them to stop being afraid. This isn't helpful - it dismisses what they are feeling. Rather, acknowledge that it is a scary situation and reassure them that you are with them and things will be okay....After the alert has passed, go to YouTube for breathing exercises, music, and movement exercises to 'shake out the fear' and reduce levels of tension."