With the latest attacks in the UK, children may be harboring unasked questions and feelings.
Following the 911 attacks in September, 2001, flight travel was down for a while, with good reason. People were more than a little terrified to get into the air, particularly with their families. Now, with the attack at Glasgow International Airport in Scotland on June 30 (a group of terrorists drove a fiery SUV through the wall of the airport, thankfully injuring no one but themselves), people might be wary of flying again, especially with the terror alert at a “critical” level, the highest possible in the UK.
As always, the media coverage of this event is unavoidable. Anyone with a computer or television is privy to any and all information. Children whose parents are tuned to the news or network channels absorb the information easily and are bound to ask questions, such as “why do these people want others dead?” and “is it safe to fly?” Indeed, some of the images shown of the airport travelers included children with their families. Do parents turn off the television to shield the children from the information presented? What are parents to tell their children about flying? Should plans to Disney World be cancelled because of any fears families might have?
Our government officials (notably President George Bush after 911 and now brand new Prime Minister Gordon) have asked us to maintain an air of heightened vigilance, meaning to be aware of anything unusual around. This has certainly paid off, as the ambulance crew in London identified the smoking Mercedes outside of that nightclub on June 29. There was also a foiled attempt in Fort Dix, New Jersey, in which a video store employee reported strange training videos to authorities, which ended up to be a real threat. The average citizen can be the best defense against terrorist attacks, as seen in these cases.
So, back to the original concern: What about the children? What do parents say to them about acts of terrorism, and is it okay to fly? Should anything at all be said? Is it appropriate to gloss over the facts?
Maintain a sense of normalcy, is the advice given by Robin F. Goodman, PhD [Talking to Kids about Terrorism or Acts of War, NYU Child Study Center website, 2001]. Do not trivialize the fears children have, but do not over dramatize them either. Watch the news together and answer questions honestly and matter-of-factly. Correct misinformation the child may obtain, and discuss feelings openly. It might be necessary as well to initiate a discussion, should a child appear withdrawn, anxious, or distressed for no apparent reason. It is not always known what children may be thinking or feeling, and conversely, they may not know how to approach their parents with these thoughts and feelings.
