How are you reassuring scared dc's over all the war talk?

[FindingMeno]

Awful news with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
How are you talking to older children scared of escalation to ww3/ nuclear option?

How old are the children?

Older teenagers.
But I imagine a lot of children across a wide range of ages will be scared, especially after talk at school.

Back in the early 80s when things were a bit dicey and I was scared my, my wise Mum would say "we were terrified of gas in the war and it never happened, we were terrified during the "Bay of Pigs" crisis in 1963 and it never happened etc etc..."

I'm not saying "it" won't happen but it worked for me and put my mind at rest as a worried teen.

I'd question why they consider nuclear war or WW3 as we might wrongly envisage it being likely (its not). I'd encourage them to read up on the history of the area, follow reputable news outlets that don't have anything to gain from sensationalist headlines, and more so to feel empathy for those in Ukraine currently facing this right this now rather than think of how it might or might now affect us down the line. And no this isn't being head in the sand or dismissive, but it's important not to spiral deeper into looking online etc at stuff. Much of the world sadly faces these kind of threats often, we are very privileged to live where we do, and it's right we are supporting Ukraine even though it raises the risk to us a bit.

If they're older teenagers can't they just read up on it? Job done.

Ds is 13...he's very interested in the news and has been following this. He isn't scared at all though.

Older teenagers? I would question why they are so worried? (unless of course you live in Ukraine) who have they been listening to or what have they been reading that has made them so worried?

First News is a good newspaper for top primary and lower secondary pupils. Most older teenagers will be able to find sources for themselves.

My mother lived through WW2 and had some scary experiences. She then sat with a newborn baby on her lap while listening to the Cuban missile crisis on the radio. She said after all that she just wasn't going to worry again, what would be would be.

Focusing on the plight of Ukrainians is better all round than worrying about a UK invasion or being nuked. They are unlikely in our lifetimes.

My 16 year old was talking about signing up to the army over breakfast this morning. Was quite excited in that crazy young man fueled with testosterone way.

It's hard when Putin said that if anyone tries to interfere, he will retaliate with a force never seen before in history.
😶

We aren't at the mercy of Putin (yet). We are at the mercy of Boris and Biden.

I tell my teen Putin is not interested in us. What else can I say? 🥺