How do I talk to my kids about difficult topics?
Published: Mar. 3, 2022Updated: Apr. 17, 2026
Here are the things to keep in mind when talking to kids about things that are difficult or adverse:
- Know your child. Every kid has their own personality, their own temperament, ways they react to new and unexpected things.
- Where is your child developmentally? The way you might talk to a 7-year-old who has autism versus a 7-year-old who has OCD versus a 7-year-old who’s got an intellectual disability are all different conversations.
- Take your child’s lead. There’s a tendency adults have when we’re anxious about something to overshare rather than taking a moment to pause and say, What does my child need to know in order to make sense of that for him or herself?
For a list of books, podcasts, webinars, and other resources on helping kids deal with difficult experiences, check out our recap of the Live Chat with Dr. Matt Biel + Resources.
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