End of the world

[88tallboy]

So both of my two daughters aged 9-11 believe they will be dead before there 30 we’ve stopped them from watching the news social media and nature documentary but I genuinely think the damage is done . Any Help

Why do they think this?

The news is constantly talking about the end of the planted my eldest had some leaflets from Extinction protesters stating there’s only 15 to 25 years left for planet earth before it’s too hot to sustain life or12 years of rain forests remaining or 17 years before the Arctic and Antarctica are all gone .

I would have an open and honest conversation about their fears. I would also sit down with them and talk through alternative research that does not give such short time frames. Try and make it a positive by encouraging critical thinking, talking about what little things they can do to make a difference etc. I would also look up some good news stories and share with them explaining that good things happen every day it's just not as well publicised. It's really tough at such a young age and they should never have been given those leaflets! you can't remove their fears but you can make them challenge information and respond in a positive way

A strange reaction.. I watch the news everyday and no-one mentions the end of the planet?! Climate change maybe but not specifically the end of the planet?

I think it may be worth sitting down & just having an honest chat.. the planet isn’t going to explode in 20 years time. I agree we are doing some serious damage and that’s maybe a good place to get your daughters focused on. What can you as a family do to help with waste/plastic/energy etc.. And explain that the poster given is not factually correct but being used to frighten people into being kinder to the planet!

And no-one knows the future, so let’s live everyday to the fullest, do well in school & be kind people! We all live hoping we have a happy future after all

You might have missed it . There was 24/7 news coverage about a week ago by climate protesters calling themselves Extinction Rebellion they made clear over multi media sources that we have 12 months to change or there turning back ..

Honestly I’m finding it hard to sit down and in a rational manner say it’s all fine when my eldest daughter start producing charts and graphs I honestly don’t know what to say !

Yes the leaflets were from a girl at her school

All you can do is have a frank conversation. Tell them that yes, these facts are worrying but let’s do our best to help the planet & enjoy life. I think limit internet use where she can find others who obsess over things (block tumblr & Twitter for example). Encourage your kids to keep busy with their friends & be distracted. I can’t imagine many 12 year olds are that concerned, hopefully it’s just something that’ll pass and she’ll be back obsessing over a boyband soon! If it starts to become anything deeper and manifesting itself in mental health issues, then get support ASAP!

I think you can try to shield your 9 year old a bit.. she’ll be more susceptible to listening to you telling her it’s all a bit misleading.

I remember going through odd phases of worrying about stuff as a kid. But they were generally short lived and I moved on.. fingers crossed!