When Children Experience Trauma: Help for Parents and Caregivers

When our children experience a traumatic event, we can feel powerless to help. We fear getting it wrong or reminding them of the hurt. Or we miss important cues that signal a child is in distress, leading us to address problematic behaviors with discipline or frustration.

Counselor Darby Strickland wants parents to know that they are just the right person to help their child. After a distressing event, a parent's shepherding can play a vital role in their child's healing—helping them to feel loved by you and the Lord. You can help children navigate their fears, guide them through their distress, and assist their recovery. Your child does not need you to be an expert in trauma; your child needs you to engage with them as they suffer, pointing the way toward hope and healing.