How To Talk To Children About War (USEFUL TIPS)

No one ever wants to have to talk about war with their children and we have been very lucky that, until now, there has been little need... Unfortunately, it's a now a part of reality that they may need to know about.

Of course, with the current situation in Ukraine, this has shed a renewed light on how bad things can actually get when countries go to war. 

In order to explain about war to your children you first need to understand what they may already know.

First you can ask them some questions about what they may have heard and then provide feedback. It's important for parents to be prepared to talk to their children about war in a way that is age-appropriate and sensitive to their feelings.

Find Out What They Know And How They Feel

Where possible try to find a time and place where you can bring up the topic of war with your children.

It is likely that they will have heard something about it, especially if it is in the news.

Some parents may feel that they don't want to bring up the topic because they think their children are too young to understand, but it's important for them to get an idea of what their children know and how they feel about it.

Keep It Calm And Age-appropriate

Parents should try to keep the conversation calm and avoid talking about graphic details.

It's important to remember that each child will react differently and that some may not be ready to talk about it at all.

For very young children (ages 0-5):

If you are looking to talk about war to children aged 0-5, it is important to keep the conversation short and simple.

Try to avoid using too many big words or talking about things your child may not understand.

Stick to the basics – tell them what war is, what it means, and why it happens.

Keep the conversation positive, and focus on the helpers – those who work to make sure people are safe and help those who are injured.

Ways to keep the conversation positive:

• Tell them about the good things that have come out of war, such as helping people to be more aware of what is happening in the world and how they can help.
• Talk about how many people are working to help make things better, both during and after a war.
• Help your child to understand that there are many different ways to help people who are affected by war.

For older children (ages 6-10):

Talking about war with children aged 6-10 can be a little more difficult, as they may have more questions and want to know more about what is happening.

Parents should be prepared to answer questions about things such as:

• How does a war start?
• Who is involved?
• What happens during a war?
• What are the consequences of war?
• How do people survive a war?
• Can wars ever be stopped?
• Is it always bad when there is a war?

It's crucial that parents don't shy away from these questions, but try to answer them as honestly as possible.

It's also important to remind children that not everyone agrees about wars, and that there are people on both sides who believe they are doing the right thing.

For teenagers (ages 11-17):

Teens are likely to have a lot of questions about war and may want to know more about the history of specific wars.

Parents should be prepared to answer in-depth questions, and should also be open to talking about their own opinions on war.

It's important to remember that teens are trying to figure out their own beliefs and opinions, so parents should be respectful of this.

Teens may also want to talk about how they feel about current events – for example, if they have any friends or family members who are serving in the military.

It's important for parents to listen carefully and be supportive, no matter what their child's opinion is.

Two Sides To Every Story

It's important to remember that there are two sides to every story when talking about war with children. This means that not everyone agrees on what is happening and/or why it is happening.

Help your child to understand that there are many different points of view on wars, and that people can have very strong feelings about them.

Encourage your child to talk to people of all ages about war, and to listen to as many different points of view as possible.

This will help them to develop their own beliefs and opinions on the topic.

Focus On The Helpers

When talking about war with children, it's important to focus on the helpers. This includes people who work to make sure people are safe and help those who are injured.

Ways to focus on the helpers:

• Tell them about the good things that have come out of war, such as helping people to be more aware of what is happening in the world and how they can help.
• Talk about how many people are working to help make things better, both during and after a war.
• Help your child to understand that there are many different ways to help people who are affected by war.
• Remind your child that there are also many people who work to prevent wars from happening in the first place.

Close Conversations With Care

It's important to close conversations about war with children in a way that is respectful and caring.

This means being careful not to share graphic images or details about violence, and instead focusing on the positive aspects of war.

Thank your child for talking with you about the topic, and let them know that you are always available to talk more if they want to.

Talking about war 

As adults, war talk can make most of us somewhat uncomfortable - it's often difficult to know what to say to children about war and its devastating effects, however, it's important for parents to talk to their kids about war in a way that is age-appropriate and sensitive to their feelings.

No matter what age your child is, it's important to be honest and straightforward.

Avoid using euphemisms such as "going to war" or "fighting for our country." Be sure to answer your child's questions honestly, and let them know that it's okay to be sad, scared, or angry about the war.

It's also important to provide a sense of security and stability for your children.

Let them know that they are safe and loved, and try to maintain a normal routine as much as possible.

This can be difficult during times of conflict, but it's important for children to feel secure in their home environment.

Finally, be available to talk to your children whenever they need you.

They may not want to talk about war all the time, but it's important for them to know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns they have.

FAQs

How do you explain the army to a child?

When you are looking to explain the army to a child, you can explain how the army is a large organised group of soldiers who help to protect the country from harm.

You can also explain that the army sometimes helps people in other countries who are in need.

This may include helping to rebuild villages or towns that have been destroyed by war.

You can also explain how the army is made up of people from all different backgrounds and religions, who all come together to serve their country.​​​​​​​

How do you explain World War 1-2 to a child?

The best way to explain world war 2 to a child is by hiring books from the library or even watch a few YouTube videos that are child-friendly.

YouTube has a wide variety of videos from cartoons to documentary styled videos.

It is important to avoid graphic images and details but world war 2 has enough child-friendly content to help explain the basics without going into too much depth.

You can explain how the war started, what happened during the war, and how it ended.

You can also explain why it was such a devastating event for so many people.​​​​​​​

Wrapping Up:

Although talking about war can be difficult, it's important for parents to talk to their children in a way that is sensitive to their feelings and age-appropriate.

No matter what your child's age, be honest and straightforward with them, and answer any questions they have honestly.

It's also important to provide a sense of security and stability for your children, and be available to talk to them whenever they need you.