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CNN Saturday Morning News

How Children See 9/11

Aired September 07, 2002 - 09:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CHARLES MOLINEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: First lady Laura Bush is sharing her thoughts on how we can mark the anniversary of September 11 with our children. The first lady says parents shouldn't let their kids be overwhelmed with the images on TV but spend quiet time with them to reflect and pay tribute to those lost.
For more on post-9/11 stress and how to cope, we are joined by CNN health correspondent Kat Carney. Good morning, Kat.

KAT CARNEY, CNN HEALTH CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Charles.

MOLINEAUX: This is the that we've heard about ever since September 11, not necessarily those within the area of ground zero, but everywhere, who've seen this happen on TV and know that something truly horrible has happened.

How does a parent deal with that?

CARNEY: Well, you know, the events of September 11 are weighing very heavily on the hearts and minds and the emotions of the country. And as we approach this one-year anniversary, Laura Bush said public health officials, mental health experts, have been very concerned about how this is going to affect the rest of the country and especially the children.

And in New York, New York University as well as the New York City Department of Education, they've issued guides with practical guidelines about what we should to prepare our children. And the big one is, limit the amount of exposure they have to the media coverage of the event.

And if you're going to let them watch it, make sure you watch television with them. Children are going to have questions, and you want to keep the dialogue open so that they can express what they're feeling about this.

MOLINEAUX: That's something a real challenge for parents, because you want to see what's happening, you want to hear. This is probably the way it was on September 11, everybody was glued to the television set when, perhaps, for the kids, that might not have been the greatest idea.

CARNEY: Well, the same advice actually holds true for adults. Adults need to limit their exposure to the coverage as well. One bit of -- good tip is to pull out the "TV Guide," really pick out the programs, plan the time that you are going to spend in front of the television. And they're telling people, be aware of the emotions that you may or may not have that day, and even that week. Some of the emotions that we might have are being depressed, want to be isolated. You might see the same thing in children, they might have temper tantrums.

And then the opposite might be true. You might not have any feelings and then want to start criticizing yourself. Or children might feel, There's something wrong with me that I'm not having some type of reaction.

And experts say that that is actually OK.

MOLINEAUX: Is this something that could actually be almost contagious if you feel tremendous depression or fear, that your kids will just pick it up and catch it, effectively?

CARNEY: It's a possibility. But what experts are saying is that everyone around you might be upset, but there's actually a chance that you might not have a reaction at all, and that you shouldn't criticize yourself. That's the way that you are dealing with it.

What becomes problematic is, if you're having symptoms that go beyond a week, two weeks, and you're -- or you're not feeling anything for a week, two weeks, then you want to call, call your physician and maybe talk it over with them.

MOLINEAUX: Is there something to be said for maybe just getting out on the ball field instead of watching TV?

CARNEY: Absolutely. Other activities, family activities planned, you know, to go to the park, maybe, plan to have a dinner, turn the television off, maybe even encourage your children to express their feelings through art or through music, maybe to write a poem.

MOLINEAUX: OK, thank you very much, Kat Carney.

CARNEY: Thank you.

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