As we talked about in a recent podcast episode, your child needs your help overcoming trauma. But what exactly constitutes a traumatic experience?
Your child may experience a traumatic experience that you don’t recognize. The list below is not comprehensive, but it can give you a good overview of what types of trauma you need to address.
What Is a Traumatic Experience for Your Child?
A traumatic experience is sudden, scary and possibly life-threatening. It may cause physical scars or emotional scars that last for many years. But as a parent, if you recognize these traumatic events, you can help your child cope after trauma with the tips on this podcast episode.
Accidents
Whether your child falls from a high point, is bitten by a dog, is injured in a car accident, or experiences the horror of a house fire, accidents can be traumatic events.
Natural Disasters
Storms can be extra frightening to children, who don’t have the larger perspective of adults. The stronger the storm and its effects, the greater the trauma may be.
Violence
If your child is a victim of violence, or even observes violence in her home or community, she will lose her sense of security. She does not need to directly experience the violence to be deeply affected by it.
Abuse/Neglect
Both abuse and neglect are greatly damaging to a child’s sense of self-esteem. Abuse is active, and neglect is passive. The trauma of emotional abuse can be just as damaging to a child as trauma from physical, verbal or sexual abuse.
Substance Use of Adults
If a child is in the care of adults who abuse substances, his sense of normalcy will be constantly disrupted. Family members of addicts form specific and dysfunctional roles, and your child may already be filling one of those roles.
Sickness
A sudden, serious or prolonged sickness of a family member or the child herself can cause severe emotional problems.
Divorce
When a child’s parents break up, the child can experience trauma due to many unwanted transitions. Fears of abandonment may persist for decades after the divorce.
Death
A sudden death of a close family member, or even a beloved pet, can be traumatic for a child.
Bullying
If your child is being victimized by a bully, whether online or in-person, she may experience long-lasting effects from the trauma.
Good News for You
If your child has experienced trauma, there is still hope. God is our Healer, and he can heal the deepest wounds your child may have experienced. The more help and support you offer your child, the greater the chance your child will heal from the traumatic episodes.
Your proactivity, openness, humility and encouragement will make a huge difference in your child’s progress from traumatized to healthy and whole. Commit your child to prayer and give your child the best possible treatment and care. Don’t go it alone – involve Christian counselors, school counselors, support groups, family members and/or local authorities in your child’s recovery, as your child’s situation dictates.
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