Effective Ways To Help Your Child Deal With Trauma and Emotional Stress After Assault (2024)

You’re worried about your child after he or she had experienced a stressful and traumatic event when one of your neighbors,a close family friend, or stranger has assaulted them. You may see some behavioral changes that affect their day-to-day activities. You may notice that they’re beginning to sleep late, are missing school and are beginning to skip meals. For those reasons alone, your child may often find it difficult to cope with stress and trauma. So, when you’re a parent, and you don’t know what to do in this distressing time, here are the effective ways to help your child deal with trauma and emotional stress after the assault:

1. Stick With A Normal Routine And Determine Situations That Trigger Trauma

If your child has experienced a stressful and traumatic event, help them maintain a routine so that they’ll have a sense of stability and support.

• Assist your child to wake up early and to eat meals regularly while letting him/her participate in usual school activities. Establishing and maintaining a good routine can help your child in the long run.
• Try to identify trauma triggers that make your child anxious. Pay close attention to how they respond to what you say and do, and talk with them when you notice their anxiety.
• You have to be watchful of your child’s pattern of behaviors and emotions. From there, you can maintain an environment which does not prompt traumatic memories so that healing works smoothly.

2. Be Responsive To Your Child and Don’t React As Much As Possible

Your child needs a responsive parent. Don’t deter their natural responses to stressful situations by reacting inappropriately.

• During a traumatic situation, it’s best that you know the things that make your child upset. An example of this is when you’re looking at your child for too long, it may trigger negative emotions and behaviors – and if this happens, don’t show any adverse reactions.
• Acknowledge your child’s feelings and lower the tone of your voice when talking to them. Keep your child calm and do not invite any actions that may lead to outbursts.

3. Make Sure To Be Emotionally and Physically Present

It’s hard for a parent like you to see your child suffer from emotional stress and trauma. In fact, it’s a long healing process that you should go through until your child’s full recovery.

• Your emotional and physical presence means so much to your child’s healing.
• Spend time with your child, give them the attention and comfort that they need. Be sure that you’re always available.
• Provide him/her with extra hugs and comforting words to make your child feel that you’re still there to provide support.

4. Observe and Listen

You don’t necessarily need to talk for your child to acknowledge your presence.

• Be observant of your child’s sudden change of behavior.
• Assess if these changes occur more often than before, such as difficulty sleeping and eating, and even avoidance from family and friends. It is good that you’re always on the watch to ensure your child’s recovery.
• Do not force your child to open up their thoughts and feelings after the assault because they might need some time to process and come to terms with the traumatic event.
• When they’re ready, explain to your child that what they’re feeling is normal after a traumatic experience.
• Do not also take your child’s reactions for granted. Take these seriously and only provide the right information about the disturbing situation.

5. Be Patient

It’s not easy when your child has a traumatic experience. There may be times that the emotional stress your child is carrying is too unbearable. So, in cases like these, your patience is essential.

• Your child’s healing will not happen overnight. It may take a more extended period depending on how they’re able to cope with the trauma.
• Be patient and respect your child’s way of recovery. That way, you’re giving them room to heal by themselves.

6. Reassure Your Child

When your child is confronted with stressful events, their sense of safety and security might also be challenged. From there, it would be hard for your child to trust their everyday surroundings.

• It’s good that you’re taking any steps to reassure your child’s well-being.
• If it helps, work with the whole family as well as the school to keep your child safe and secure.

7. Don’t Inflict Physical Punishment

Inflicting physical punishment on your child as a form of discipline is of no help. This may only worsen their emotional stress and trauma.

• Keep in mind that you should only reasonably discipline your child, if absolutely necessary.
• Give rewards for desirable behavior.

8. Stimulate Self-Esteem

One way of helping your child recover from emotional stress and trauma is to create some positive experiences.

• Through positivity, your child will most likely learn how to be more resilient in facing not-so-good happenings in their life.
• Help your child boost their self-esteem by encouraging them to set and achieve goals, serve others, develop a clear sense of belonging and try out new and enjoyable activities.

9. Keep Your Child Relaxed

Many children who experience trauma and stress are most of the times agitated. So, why not help your child to relax?

• Allow them to practice slow breathing, and meditate by listening to relaxing music.
• If they appear uncomfortable, avoid situations where they’ll be surrounded by a lot of people or are in a high-stress environment.

So, these are the effective ways to help your child deal with trauma and emotional stress after the assault. Although a traumatic experience may have long-lasting effects on your child, don’t ever lose hope. With your care, love, understanding, and support, your child can go a long way towards their full healing and recovery. If the seeking legal support to go after the perpetrator, be sure to talk with attorneys in your area, who are well-versed with situations such as these. Keep the faith and always let your child know that you’re there for them.

About The Author

Scott Jeffreys is a promising young law enthusiast that hopes to bring his youthful spirit in his field. He is currently writing for the Dolman Law Group, and tries to add a refreshing modern take to topics on the legal world that people can learn from. Scott enjoys his free time with friends and family, and loves to cook for them.