Car accidents can be traumatic for anyone who experiences one. These events can be especially traumatizing for children. You may have many questions about what to do after your accident, including how to help your child cope. In this blog, we will discuss the many ways you can support your child in handling their many emotions after an accident.
Common Emotions After A Car Accident
After the car accident, you may notice some emotional changes in your little one. They may experience sadness, anxiety, tantrums, or quietness. They may have a physical reaction like increased heart rate, nightmares, headaches, and jumpiness. It’s important to console your child but keeping things as normal as possible is important in overcoming these emotions.
How Long Will This Last?
All children cope differently so it can be hard to put a time limit on their emotional healing. Some children are very resilient and will be fine in a few weeks, some may recover in a few months, and some may not seem distressed until weeks or months later.
What Can I Do To Help My Child?
Make Your Child Feel Safe: No matter how old your child is, making them feel safe after a disturbing event like a car crash is crucial. They need extra hugs or pats on the back to make them feel secure.
Stay Calm: Even if you do not feel calm, acting calm in front of your child is important. Children look up to adults and can sense your energy, whether calm, scared, or anxious. Do your best to keep things collected to not scare or worry your kid.
Stick To Your Routine: Maintaining your child’s routine will bring a sense of normalcy to them. This can help regulate their emotions and allows the child to recognize that everything is okay.
Don’t Discuss Your Fears: Don’t talk about your fears of what could have happened in the accident or fears that your child could have died or been severely injured. This will cause stress for the child.
Spend Time Together: Dedicate your time to meaningful interactions with your child. Do their favorite activities together like going to the park, playing with toys at home, or reading books.
Focus On The Positives: While there can be many negatives to a car crash, don’t share these with your child if possible. Highlight positive behaviors or actions to remind them that there are still good things happening.
When To Seek Professional Help
If your child is experiencing distress months after an accident, it may be time to seek professional help. Other signs that it is time to get help are if your child is showing behavioral changes, an inability to control their emotions, or if their academic functioning is negatively affected. Children typically can overcome negative experiences in weeks, so if your child is showing signs of PTSD or distress they might need a therapist or to see a doctor. Additionally, it is important to seek help for yourself if you are having a difficult time overcoming the trauma of the accident. Kids look to adults for reassurance, so if they sense you are having difficulty processing your emotions, it could make them feel unstable. It is recommended that you seek help from a general practitioner to help with emotional trauma and a car accident attorney if legal troubles are adding to your emotional distress.
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