No Shortage of Questions: Talking With Your Child About Scary News and World Events

In the last few years we've had no shortage of disturbing news and big, scary world events be it pandemics, social injustices, war, climate change issues like wildfires, floods and more. In this minisode, Bryn and Char bring questions from BC parents and caregivers to Dr. Ashley Miller, child psychiatrist and family therapist. They dig into questions including: How can I talk to my child about scary news and tragic events without inciting worry or fear? How much information should I share when I talk with my kids about scary news and how honest should I be? Are there skills I can teach my child to help manage the stress or worry they might feel when they hear or talk about scary news? And much more.

You can read the transcript for the full episode here.

EPISODE RESOURCES

Kelty Webpage: Mindfulness for Children and Youth

App: Breathr - free app that provides ways to get started with mindfulness

Online Tool: Stresslr - for kids ages 9-11 to learn about stress and healthy ways to manage it including belly breathing and muscle relaxation.

Guest bios

Dr. Ashley Miller

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Ashley Miller is a child psychiatrist and family therapist at BC Children's Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor at UBC. She is a passionate advocate for family and caregiver involvement in the mental health treatment of children and youth and the co-author of "What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work: A practical guide for parents and caregivers."

Where You Are | S4 EE11 | June 28, 2023

Words of Wisdom: Reflecting on 4 Seasons of Where You Are

Our hosts come together to reflect on episodes that have resonated with them. They discuss some of the gems that our guests have shared on the topics of sleep, feeding and eating, self-harm, anxiety, concurrent disorders, and more.

Where You Are | S4 EE10 | May 24, 2023

Supporting Your Child Who Has Experienced Trauma

Our hosts Bryn and Char speak with Lynne Godfrey (parent and grandparent) and Dr. Linda Uyeda to explore trauma, understand its impact on mental health and wellbeing, and share strategies parents and caregivers can use to support their child who has experienced trauma.

Where You Are | S4 EE9 | May 3, 2023

Re-Release (ICYMI) - Eating Disorders: How Parents Can Play an Active Role in Recovery

In this episode Michelle and Bryn are joined by Kelly, a parent of a youth diagnosed with an eating disorder, and Dr. Jennifer Coelho, Psychologist at BC Children’s Hospital’s Provincial Specialized Eating Disorder Program, to answer questions we often hear from families about supporting a youth with an eating disorder.

| S4 EE8 | April 12, 2023

No Shortage of Questions: Helping Kids Cope with Big Life Changes

In this minisode, we bring questions from BC families to a leading BC Children's Hospital child psychiatrist and family therapist on how to support kids through big life events and changes such as starting a new school, moving, etc. Listen for strategies that you can share with your child to help them cope with changes that come with big life events.

Where You Are | S4 EE7 | March 22, 2023

No Shortage of Questions: Supporting Your Child During Separation and Divorce

In this minisode, we bring questions on separation and divorce from BC families to a leading BC Children's Hospital child psychiatrist and family therapist. Hear tips to support both you and your child's well-being and strategies to cope during these hard times.

Where You Are | S4 EE6 | March 1, 2023