"We don't have to force the subject of war on children": UNICEF spokeswoman explains what parents should pay attention to

Created: 04/13/2022, 14:46

By: Christine Novotny

How do I talk to my child about the Ukraine war?

This is a question many parents are asking themselves these days.

Ninja Charbonneau from UNICEF Germany provides answers in an exclusive Merkur interview.

How can parents raise the issue of war with children?

"Of course it's more difficult the younger the children are," says Ninja Charbonneau from UNICEF Germany.

"But we mustn't forget that even very young children have a very keen sense and pick up an awful lot," the spokeswoman continued.

Above all, with very young children, words should be chosen that do not increase the fear*.

Ninja Charbonneau from UNICEF Germany explains how to gently explain the current situation to children.

© UNICEF/UNI282013/Chiolo

You can compare the war with a familiar situation from kindergarten, for example

: “You know, there are often arguments in kindergarten or there are people in your group who sometimes start arguments and then others try to settle the dispute or to find solutions and that's the way it is at the moment, except that it's not two children arguing, it's a quarrel between two countries," says Charbonneau, describing a clear explanation of the situation.

declare war or not?

"Children don't have to deal with all the bad issues"

With the slightly older children, parents can address the Ukraine war differently: "Watch child-friendly news together and discuss whether there are still open questions," advises the UNICEF employee in this case.

Above all, it is also important to find out whether the child has fears or worries.

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Then parents should pay special attention and approach the children calmly and simply ask: what's going on, what's on your mind?

But what should you do if children don't approach their parents on their own?

Not addressing the subject of war at all?

"If a child doesn't come of their own accord, then we don't have to force the issue of war* on them," says Ninja Charbonneau.

At the end of the interview, she made it clear: "Children don't have to deal with all the bad issues."

Above all, they should do one thing:

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