16/03/2026
Julie noticed something odd this week.
Her son didn’t want to go to school.
Not because of homework.
Not because of friends.
He just kept asking questions.
“Are we safe?”
“Why is everyone talking about war?”
“Why is petrol getting so expensive?”
Julie realised something important.
Children hear everything.
The news in the car.
The conversations at dinner.
The worry in their parents’ voices.
But children don’t always understand what they’re hearing.
So their brain fills in the gaps… with fear.
And that fear often shows up in ways parents don’t expect:
• refusing school
• tummy aches
• emotional meltdowns
• difficulty concentrating
When children sense uncertainty around them, their brain can move from learning mode into survival mode.
And a child in survival mode simply cannot focus on school.
The most helpful thing parents can do is create space for children to talk about their worries.
Tonight try this simple conversation:
Ask your child:
1️⃣ “What have you heard about what’s happening in the world?”
2️⃣ “What do you think it means?”
3️⃣ “Is there anything you're worried about?”
Then reassure them:
“Grown-ups are working on these problems.
Your job is just to be a kid.”
Sometimes children don’t need more information.
They just need to feel safe again.
💬 Parents — have you noticed your child asking more questions about the world lately?
📅 Schedule your appointment now: https://www.dropoflife.com.au
📞 Phone us on (07) 5520 7705
