QUESTION:
"My son and I were involved in a traumatic accident, and he saw someone that he loves severely injured. He understands what happened and is able to communicate what he saw but doesn’t know how to communicate how he feels about it.
He is understandably emotional. I want to help him work through those feelings. How can I help him cope and communicate after going through something so traumatic?"
RELATED QUESTION: How can I help my child grieve over the loss of his grandma?
TOP ANSWERS (AS SELECTED BY MODERATOR):
“Been there and I’m so sorry you are experiencing this. My son was 13 at the time of his tragic accident. He was with my husband his twin and my dad on a guys off-road trip. He was riding with my dad. My dad died in the accident. Please do counseling. Journaling helps too. Let him talk about it when he wants to with you. Let him draw out what he’s feeling. There’s a facial expression chart they used in the hospital with emotions. They let Austyn pick five each session and explain why he picked the emotions he picked. Make sure you talk to someone too. Trust me being the strong one is not always a good thing. I know bc I’m still dealing with it all.”
“Um, I would absolutely take him to a therapist. Childhood trauma can be very scaring and I would not want to take the chance of screwing it up. Kudos for being so concerned and trying but please seek a professional to assist.”
“Therapy is helpful for kids. Especially so they can talk in private and get feelings off of their chest without a parent present.”
“Take him to a child therapist. Maybe have one see him at school? I saw my best friend and next-door neighbor get hit by a train and die with his mum and brother when I was about 6/7 and I had dreams for years, not bad dreams, that we went to their house and they were there and other similar dreams. And that was with therapy.”
“Therapy. Kids need therapy when they witness something scary & tragic because their minds aren’t conditioned yet to cope up easily unlike adults & there could be long-term impacts on them.”
“Therapist. I had to do it with my daughter when she witnessed my son’s injury.”
“Therapy ASAP for both of you.”
Have a response to this question? Leave it below to help a mama out! Or leave your own question and get responses from real moms!
READ ALL ANSWERS BELOW:
