How to Talk To Kids About the Wildfires

And why you might want to.

My heart bleeds for everyone in and around Los Angeles this week as the fires continue to rage and destroy. I know many parents in this community live in California; please know that I am thinking of you.

I also want to share my suggestions for how to talk to kids about what’s going on, because it can be tough to know how much information to share and how to frame it.

Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all way to talk to kids about anything. The conversations you have should always be tailored to your kid’s age, maturity level, and temperament. Trust your gut; if you have an anxiety-prone kid, for instance, you may want to share fewer details and talk more about safety.

But I do think that, especially with school-aged kids who may hear about the fires from the media or peers, it’s helpful to at least raise the topic — to see what they know, answer their questions, and ensure that they feel safe. Conversations like this are also a great way to teach kids about other related issues, such as climate change and evacuation orders.

Here are four key strategies for approaching these discussions with kids.