Support for parents and guardians

For firefighters’ families, bravery isn’t just part of the job – it’s part of everyday life. But with that courage can come quiet worry, especially for children who know their loved one runs toward danger.

As a parent or guardian, knowing what to say and how to say it can feel overwhelming.

You are not alone.

Together with experts at Winston’s Wish, we’ve created a set of tips and conversation starters to help you gently support your child through fear, worry, and difficult questions. Because it’s okay to talk about scary things and it’s okay to ask for help doing it.

Tips for reassuring conversations

Here are some evidence-based strategies parents can use to support their children through this difficult time.

• Open, honest, and age-appropriate communication. Encourage the child to talk about their worries. Listen carefully, validate their feelings, and avoid dismissing their concerns.
• Reassure the child that you and the family have plans in place to stay safe, while explaining the safety procedures firefighters follow and the training they receive.
• Limit exposure to distressing news. If possible, consider shielding children from excessive media coverage or adult conversations about the incident.
• Maintaining routines – like mealtimes, bedtime, and school – is especially important in firefighter families, where unpredictability is the norm. This helps provide children with stability and a sense of security during uncertain times. You may also find offering extra support at bedtime is necessary.
• Model calm and coping skills. By staying calm and using healthy coping strategies openly, you can model resilience and help them feel more secure. If you feel able to, teach and encourage coping skills such as deep breathing or mindfulness too.

You can read the full article from Winston’s Wish, which provides more guidance on all the points above.

Read the article