Summary
The article provides guidance from a child psychologist on how parents can discuss Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with their children. It emphasizes the importance of open communication, using age-appropriate language, and validating children's feelings about what they see in the media related to ICE activities.
Key Facts
- Ice (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is widely discussed in the US and children may see related media content.
- A clinical psychologist, Dr. Anna Batho, states it’s better to talk about difficult topics with children rather than avoid them.
- Parents should choose a calm moment to discuss ICE and begin by listening to what their child already knows or thinks.
- Dr. Batho advises against forcing the conversation if the child isn’t interested or concerned.
- When explaining, parents should use clear, age-appropriate language and avoid confusing terms.
- It's important for parents to check in with children after discussions to validate their feelings.
- Keeping communication open is crucial, so children feel they can talk about their concerns anytime.
- Parents can help children return to a sense of normalcy by engaging them in familiar activities or comforting actions.
