Therapists say survivors of the Wildfires in California can help their children heal from the trauma of leaving everything they know behind by continuing their daily routines, providing an empathetic ear, and strengthening their security.
While the fire brigade continues the fight wildfires consuming Los Angeles CountyOfficials said Saturday that at least 30 people remained missing, while two additional deaths brought the toll to 27.
“Many children are confronted with the devastation of the fires in California. As parents and caregivers, it is critical to support children during this crisis by giving them the space to share what they saw, heard and felt,” said Dr. Cindy Davis, clinical director of Positive Development in Pasadena, California, told 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 much. Let them choose when and how they want to share it. Think about your child’s experience with the disaster. evacuate them, see houses on fire or witness fear? Especially with younger children, use these prompts: pay attention to the themes in their play, as this often reflects their concerns and helps them process their feelings.
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Dr. Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell School of Medicine, explained that the caused fires “tremendous and ongoing loss” for both adults and children.
Burned out classic cars lie like ghosts after being destroyed by a wildfire, Altadena, California, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Derek Shook 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 often have to explain, ‘We are safe because’ or ‘here is our safety plan’ or ‘we need to start our safety plan and once we get there I can answer any questions you may have.’ Expect and respond to repeated concerns from children about the safety of themselves and their loved ones. Try to do fun things together and show that it feels safe for all of you, such as playing a game. Remind them that whatever you have lost is the most important thing that you are together and safe. Home is and will be where you are.”
A way to help children feel safe in the midst of… chaos of moving let them 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 consistent daily routines to provide a sense of stability and security. Add comforting traditions or activities that remind them of home, such as family meals or bedtime rituals. Help your child acclimate by exploring the new city together, local parks, schools or other parks. Encourage libraries to participate in community or extracurricular activities to help them make new friends and build a sense of belonging.”
La Jolla, California, child psychiatrist Josh Feder, MD, explaining 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 news about the fires involving children.
“Use alerts on your phone to receive important updates,” he said. “It’s important to tell the truth, but not make it too scary. For example: ‘Our house burned down, but we are safe now.’ It is our job 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 while the wildfires pose a stressful situation for both adults and children, they can endure the hardships.
“The human capacity for resilience is such that the majority of these people will eventually fight their way through these losses to earn their lives back, but the more coping tools and support they can get, the more likely that will be and the less painful it will be. she said.
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
