14/12/2025
HELPING KIDS WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN - BONDI INCIDENT
Details and images of the events at Bondi tonight are likely having an impact. I thought it might be useful to offer some support and guidance to parents:
Please don't watch the broadcast for extended periods of time. It can be overwhelming, and if we, as adults, are overwhelmed by it, it's harder for us to manage it appropriately for our kids.
Please don't watch the details in the presence of your children.
If kids ask questions, answer in general, age appropriate, ways. Don't give detailed information in response to the first question. I heard the approach once described like someone asking for a drink. We give them a cup of water, we don't pour a jug down their throats. If they drink that cup of water and want more, we then give another cup.
In response to a question from a child, acknowledge that something scary happened, was dealt with quickly by the police, the "bad guys" were caught, and it's over. Reinforce to them "we are safe."
Be on the look out for behaviour changes - sleep and appetite disturbance, irritability, sadness, clingy behaviour.
Children co-regulate - that means they look to their adults to see how we are responding. Be present. Speak and act calmly (even if you don't feel calm internally, you can control how you behave).
Send children the message that, even though something scary/bad has happened in the world, they are safe.
Give lots of cuddles. Play music in the house. Blow bubbles. Play games and puzzles. Be active.
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