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American Morning
Talking About Threat of Terrorism With Children
Aired February 13, 2003 - 07:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: For the last week, the country has been on a code orange high-risk alert, anticipating a terrorist attack that the government warns could be imminent. So, what should parents do to calm their kids' fears, while trying to deal with the reality of all of this?
Joining us now from Washington to offer some advice, Dr. Irwin Redlener, a pediatrician, who also happens to be president of the Children's Health Fund. He joins us from Washington, where he has just chaired a three-day meeting of pediatricians who were discussing the medical needs of children in the event of a terror attack.
Welcome back, Doctor. Sorry we had to bring you back under these circumstances.
DR. IRWIN REDLENER, THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH FUND: Good morning, Paula.
ZAHN: What is it that we're supposed to be telling our kids right now?
REDLENER: Well, this is definitely a tough time with a lot of sort of public information about the current threats that we're facing. And we need to deal first of all with children with a degree of honesty; in fact, honesty that is age-appropriate. So, what we tell a 3-year-old or a 4-year-old is obviously very different than what we're going to discuss with a teenager.
But in all cases, being honest and direct and responding to children's questions is the first thing that we need to do. And we need to do this actually without dwelling on the information any more than we have to. So, answer the questions straight-forwardly.
And at the same time, it is very important that parents be able to offer reassurance to children that something is being done. And this is really on two levels.
First of all, this idea about having a family plan is very reassuring, not only for children, but for the parents as well. In other words, this is what we would do if there is an emergency. We have a certain amount of things in our home that will keep us safe here. We know what we're going to do or where we would go if we had to, and things are under control to the extent that we're able to do that. Getting that kind of information is really quite helpful to kids.
ZAHN: Should we shelter them from the news? REDLENER: Well, I think it depends on the age and it depends on the child's personality, because for some children -- first of all, it's impossible to entirely shelter older children from the news. But I don't think they need to be watching hour upon hour of reports about potential terrorism or war or planning for war. But you cannot avoid in today's environment children learning about, hearing about from peers or in school or watching or reading the news that in fact we are in a time of some difficulty and stress.
And that's why being honest and straight-forward with kids is the most important thing we can do. Children need to know that their parents are there for them, and that they're getting straight information from mom and dad, and thats absolutely critical.
ZAHN: And I know you have some very clear guidelines you say that parents should look out for if in fact our children are not handling this, and some of these signs aren't so subtle, like sleeplessness and fatigue...
REDLENER: Correct.
ZAHN: ... frustration, behavioral problems and anxiety. Don't you see some of these things happen with simple transition sometimes, changing schools?
REDLENER: Yes, all sorts of things can happen in a child's environment to make them react in ways that are less than absolutely direct. And the things that you mentioned in terms of sleeplessness, school performance, interactions with brothers and sisters and friends, all of these things may change that may be indicators that something is brewing inside. And it's important that, especially during a time like this, that parents be particularly aware of these more subtle indicators and be available to provide information, comfort, closeness and awareness for their children.
And the other thing about that, too, is that if the symptoms seem excessive, like night after night of not sleeping or severe anxiety or really great difficulty in interacting with other children or with teachers, for example, then it might be important for parents to ask for some assistance or guidance. And often the pediatrician would be a first step in that process. But parents shouldnt wait too long if they are concerned that this is something that they really can't handle. They should reach out.
ZAHN: Very good advice indeed, Dr. Irwin Redlener. Of course, the biggest challenge for all of us is trying to find that delicate balance of trying to prepare our families, but not scare them at the same time.
Thank you again for your insights.
REDLENER: Absolutely. Thank you, Paula.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired February 13, 2003 - 07:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: For the last week, the country has been on a code orange high-risk alert, anticipating a terrorist attack that the government warns could be imminent. So, what should parents do to calm their kids' fears, while trying to deal with the reality of all of this?
Joining us now from Washington to offer some advice, Dr. Irwin Redlener, a pediatrician, who also happens to be president of the Children's Health Fund. He joins us from Washington, where he has just chaired a three-day meeting of pediatricians who were discussing the medical needs of children in the event of a terror attack.
Welcome back, Doctor. Sorry we had to bring you back under these circumstances.
DR. IRWIN REDLENER, THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH FUND: Good morning, Paula.
ZAHN: What is it that we're supposed to be telling our kids right now?
REDLENER: Well, this is definitely a tough time with a lot of sort of public information about the current threats that we're facing. And we need to deal first of all with children with a degree of honesty; in fact, honesty that is age-appropriate. So, what we tell a 3-year-old or a 4-year-old is obviously very different than what we're going to discuss with a teenager.
But in all cases, being honest and direct and responding to children's questions is the first thing that we need to do. And we need to do this actually without dwelling on the information any more than we have to. So, answer the questions straight-forwardly.
And at the same time, it is very important that parents be able to offer reassurance to children that something is being done. And this is really on two levels.
First of all, this idea about having a family plan is very reassuring, not only for children, but for the parents as well. In other words, this is what we would do if there is an emergency. We have a certain amount of things in our home that will keep us safe here. We know what we're going to do or where we would go if we had to, and things are under control to the extent that we're able to do that. Getting that kind of information is really quite helpful to kids.
ZAHN: Should we shelter them from the news? REDLENER: Well, I think it depends on the age and it depends on the child's personality, because for some children -- first of all, it's impossible to entirely shelter older children from the news. But I don't think they need to be watching hour upon hour of reports about potential terrorism or war or planning for war. But you cannot avoid in today's environment children learning about, hearing about from peers or in school or watching or reading the news that in fact we are in a time of some difficulty and stress.
And that's why being honest and straight-forward with kids is the most important thing we can do. Children need to know that their parents are there for them, and that they're getting straight information from mom and dad, and thats absolutely critical.
ZAHN: And I know you have some very clear guidelines you say that parents should look out for if in fact our children are not handling this, and some of these signs aren't so subtle, like sleeplessness and fatigue...
REDLENER: Correct.
ZAHN: ... frustration, behavioral problems and anxiety. Don't you see some of these things happen with simple transition sometimes, changing schools?
REDLENER: Yes, all sorts of things can happen in a child's environment to make them react in ways that are less than absolutely direct. And the things that you mentioned in terms of sleeplessness, school performance, interactions with brothers and sisters and friends, all of these things may change that may be indicators that something is brewing inside. And it's important that, especially during a time like this, that parents be particularly aware of these more subtle indicators and be available to provide information, comfort, closeness and awareness for their children.
And the other thing about that, too, is that if the symptoms seem excessive, like night after night of not sleeping or severe anxiety or really great difficulty in interacting with other children or with teachers, for example, then it might be important for parents to ask for some assistance or guidance. And often the pediatrician would be a first step in that process. But parents shouldnt wait too long if they are concerned that this is something that they really can't handle. They should reach out.
ZAHN: Very good advice indeed, Dr. Irwin Redlener. Of course, the biggest challenge for all of us is trying to find that delicate balance of trying to prepare our families, but not scare them at the same time.
Thank you again for your insights.
REDLENER: Absolutely. Thank you, Paula.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
