Explaining to kids about losing your job

Michele Borba, EdD Educational Psychologist, shares advice for parents on the best ways to explain to your kids that you lost your job and the resulting questions they may have
Parenting Tips | How To Tell Your Kids About Losing Your Job
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Explaining to kids about losing your job

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There's so many hard parts of parenting but one of the hardest questions you could ever be asked is, "Did you loose your job, dad? What will happen to us?" You may want to avoid that question, but it's so much better if your child gets the answer coming from you. So here's some things you need to think about: first take a moment and ask yourself, “What do I really what to convey to my child?” Write down a few notes, you'll feel so much more comfortable. The second thing is anticipate your child's concerns. One mom went through all kinds of possibilities thinking, "Are we going to have to turn off the light or we can't go to the movies?" Her child's biggest concern is, "Will I still be sleeping in my same bed, mom?" Make it simple, make is safe. And finally realize that your child may be very literal, "I just got fired" may have a different interpretation to a child meaning you got shot. Think of where your young child is coming from. A teen's concern is, "What am I going to say to my friends?” And then you can come up with some simple comeback lines. Above all remember your child is far more resilient than you may be giving him credit for. So he'll get through it, so too will you. The most important message is, “We're going to get through this together.”

Michele Borba, EdD Educational Psychologist, shares advice for parents on the best ways to explain to your kids that you lost your job and the resulting questions they may have

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Michele Borba, EdD

Educational Psychologist

Michele Borba, EdD is a Today Show contributor and recipient of the National Educator Award. She is recognized for her practical, solution-based parenting strategies and is an expert of bullying. Michele is the author of 22 books including Building Moral Intelligence and No More Misbehavin’. She appears as an expert on shows such as Dr. Phil, The View, and CNN and is an advisory board member for Parentsmagazine. 

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