Caring for Your Child during Difficult Economic Times
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During tough economic times, your family may experience changes. You may face new realities, such as losing a job, relocating, or feeling the pinch of a reduced income. And, your child might feel anxious about the new situation and the future. These are times when your family needs each other the most. It's important to talk with your child about what is happening, explore the difference between needs and wants, and have fun spending time together. Use these tips, videos, storybook and game to help your family cope with these changes.
Talk about Changes
Talk with your child about what is going on. Tell him if you have lost your job or you need to move. From time to time, meet as a family to keep the communication going. Be open and discuss what has occurred in ways that he can understand. While re-prioritizing or making lifestyle adjustments, discuss the changes that will occur as openly as possible.
Conversation Pointers
- We are having some changes in the way we live.
- We do not have the same amount of money as before, so we have to change some of the things we do.
- None of these changes are your fault.
- We are going to work together to think of different or less expensive ways to do things.
An Eye on Emotions It is natural for a child of any age to feel anxiety and fear. Reassure your child that everything will be okay. Emphasize that whatever is going on with your family is not her fault. Be consistent with messages like, "Mommy and/or Daddy are here to take care of you and love you" or "Things might be difficult now, but we will work together to make them better." Your child may also have a hard time expressing her emotions. Help her to label her emotions and express her feelings by making drawings, singing songs, and talking about her feelings. Encourage her to ask questions that can help you understand her concerns. If stress levels are running high, physical movement can serve as a great relief. Join hands and dance around to a favorite tune. See who can come up with the best moves.
Watch Together:
Your'e Important Talk Together:
Tell your child how she is important to you and your family. Then, ask her how you are important to her. Keep a Routine Children are comforted by knowing what to expect throughout the day. Try to keep simple routines, such as reading a book before bedtime or playing a board game after dinner. If you can't keep old routines, create new ones. For example, if you are no longer able to greet your child in the morning because you need to be out looking for work, take time each night to share stories from your day.
Watch Together:
Trevor's Family Talk Together:
What does Trevor do before he goes to sleep? What do you do when you get ready for bed? Make Fun a Priority
Having fun together is more relevant than ever. It will help lift everyone's spirits and, just as important, will help create happy memories. Look for local free events or have a weekly family night to play board games or watch a movie at home. Here are some low and no-cost ideas:
- Create an obstacle course. See how fast each member of your family can hop from pillow to pillow, toss three beans into a plastic cup, and then sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Have your own science fair.
- Conduct "what sinks/what floats" experiments in the tub or sink. Build a boat out of aluminum foil and see how much cargo (e.g., cherries, paper clips, or other small waterproof items) it can carry.
- Host a game night. Invite friends and family to join you. Ask everyone to bring a game to share. Make a big bowl of popcorn, listen to your favorite songs, and play away!
- Instead of a trip to the movies or the mall, explore the great outdoors. Go on a nature scavenger hunt. How many different leaves can you collect? You might take a trip to your local library to find a book about trees to identify each leaf. Can you find any four-legged creatures outside? Can you spot any insects? Search for rocks that will write like chalk. Is your neighborhood parks department offering any free family activities that you could attend?
Watch Together:
Rachel's Family Talk Together:
How does Rachel's family have fun outside? What fun thing do you like to do outside? Make it a Team Effort
Involve your child as you prepare for and carry out any changes. A special task or family chore will give him a sense of responsibility and something to be proud of. Consider activities like helping with the laundry by putting all the socks together in pairs, putting away toys, putting napkins at everyone's place before a meal, or packing up a special bag to move to your new home.
Watch Together:
Carlos' Family Talk Together:
How does Carlos help his family? How do you help in your family? For more strategies on how to meet challenges as a family, ideas about how to explain difficult situations to young children, and tips on planning for the short and long-term download
Families Stand Together Parent/Caregiver Magazine, also available in
Spanish.
“I developed this concept called back of the refrigerator rule. If I can't see the back of the refrigerator obviously there's no need for me to go buy food. 'But, dad there's no food.' No, there's nothing you want. But, there's food there.”
—James Thomas
Related Information Families Stand Together Initiative Page
For more video content to help you lead your familiy through difficult economic times visit the Families Stand Together Initiative.
