Therapists say that survivors of Wildfires in California They can help their children heal from the trauma of leaving everything they know behind by continuing with their daily routines, providing sympathetic ears and promoting their safety.
While fire brigades continue to fight it Wildfires ravage Los Angeles CountyOfficials said as of Saturday that at least 30 people were still missing while two additional deaths raised the death toll to 27.
“Many children are facing the devastation left by the fires in California. As parents and caregivers, it is important to support children during this crisis, and give them the space to share what they saw, heard and felt,” Dr. Cindy Davis, clinical director of Positive Development in Pasadena, California, told the network. Fox News Digital. “Encourage them to share their experiences and be open to any form of communication. Some may repeat the same story, while others may prefer not to talk as much. Let them choose when and how to participate. Think about your child’s experience with the disaster – did they do it? Did they evacuate, or They see houses burning, or witness fear? Use these clues to guide your conversations with younger children. Specifically, pay attention to the themes in their play, as they often reflect their fears and help them process their feelings.
Dr. Jill Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, explained that Caused fires “A massive and ongoing loss” for both adults and children.
Burned classic cars sit like ghosts after being destroyed by wildfires, Altadena, California, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Derek Schock for Fox News Digital)
“The most important thing for children now is to make them feel that they and you, their parents, are safe,” she advised. “Parents should often explain, 'We're safe because' or 'This is our safety plan' or 'We need to start our safety plan and once we get there, I can answer all your questions.'” Anticipating recurring concerns From children about their safety and the safety of their loved ones and responding to it Try to do nice things together to show that you feel safe, such as playing a game, “No matter what you have lost, you are together and safe, and home is there, and it will always be where you are.”
One way to help children feel safe in the environment Transportation chaos It is to allow them to express their preferences about what they can control, such as a new room, school or activity, therapist Samantha Silverman, LCSW, told Fox News Digital.
“Plan activities together to explore the new city and make it feel like home,” Silverman suggested. “Maintain a consistent daily routine to provide a sense of stability and security. Incorporate comforting traditions or activities that remind them of home, such as family meals or bedtime rituals. Help your child adjust by exploring the new city together, visiting local parks or schools or encouraging libraries to get involved In community or extracurricular activities to help them make new friends and build a sense of belonging.
La Jolla, Calif., child psychiatrist Josh Feder, MD, who explained that children “need extra support” during this time, advised parents to make sure their children are in a safe place with clean air and cautioned against watching fire news around children.
“Use alerts on your phone to get important updates,” he said. “It's important to tell the truth but without making it too scary. For example, 'Our house burned down but we're safe now.' Our job is to protect children and make them feel as safe as possible!”
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A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ethan Swope/AP)
Saltz explained that although wildfires create a stressful situation for both adults and children, they can overcome these hardships.
“Human resilience is such that the majority of these people will eventually work their way through these losses to make up for their lives, but the more coping tools and support they can get, the more likely this will be and the less painful it will be,” she said.
Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
