This summer, Texas Hill Country faced devastating flash floods, tragically ending the lives of over 75 people, including 27 children at Camp Mystic and others in surrounding communities. While your family may not be local, the shock and grief resonate far and wide. As parents, it’s normal to feel fear and uncertainty for our children’s safety, even at a distance.
Why Our Fears Intensify
When tragedies like these dominate the headlines, common parental anxieties intensify. We see vulnerability: natural disasters, climate change, random catastrophes — and wonder: “What if?” This future-focused worry can manifest in insomnia, irritability, or a reluctance to let children take risks.
5 Compassionate Parenting Strategies
- Normalize & Nurture Safety
- Begin with simple reassurance: “Floods are rare. We’re prepared and safe.”
- Restore routine: school, family meals, bedtime rituals. to reestablish security.
- Discuss what happened at a level your child can understand, then pivot to a positive focus: rescue efforts, communal strength, and recovery.
- Foster Open Communication
- Invite questions about what they have heard. Answer honestly, but in a gentle and developmentally appropriate way.
- Encourage emotional expression: fears, sadness, relief. Validate their feelings: “It’s okay to feel scared.”
- Engage in Family Readiness
- Make simple safety plans: where to meet, what to pack, who to contact.
- Let kids take age appropriate saftey roles, such as gathering flashlights, choosing comfort items, and grabbing stuffies.
- Limit Media Exposure
- Continuous flood or storm coverage boosts anxiety. Turn off the TV or screen time and explain it in a way they will understand instead.
- Model Healthy Coping
- Demonstrate your own resilience by utilizing coping skills and incorporating them. For example, I am upset, so I am going for a walk. want to come?
- Practice self-care: rest, nutrition, movement, social connection.
When to Seek Support
If your child:
- Has recurring nightmares or intrusive thoughts weeks after the event
- Avoids activities they once enjoyed
- Displays extreme clinginess or aggression
These could be signs of anxiety or trauma-like symptoms. At Clayton Counseling, we specialize in Trauma for young people and parents alike.
How Clayton Counseling LLC Can Help
- Free consu lt to explore your concerns
- Trauma-Focused therapies for children and families
- Parent coaching on anxiety management and building resilience
- Virtual and in-person sessions tailored to your schedule
Visit us at claytoncounselingllc.com to learn more or schedule an appointment.
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