Life right now is rough. There’s no sugarcoating it. Alarms, loud noises overhead, changes in routines – it’s a lot to process. If you’re a parent, the pressure multiplies: not only do you have your own nerves to manage, but you’re also trying to make sure your children feel safe, grounded, and understood.
It’s normal to feel stressed, anxious, or even frustrated. Maybe you never imagined being in this situation. Maybe you’re worried you don’t have the right words. That’s okay. You’re not failing. You’re human – and your kids will notice the effort you put in.
Children pick up on more than we realise. They notice tension, changes in mood, and your reactions – even when you think you’re keeping it together. Many families in the UAE are having conversations they never expected to have. Some questions are simple, some hit hard. Some days, the right answer doesn’t come easily.
To help guide parents, MOJEH MEN spoke with Jessica Rosslee, Clinical Psychologist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, about practical ways to support children’s emotional wellbeing while keeping your own stress in check.
Spotting anxiety in your kids
You might not always hear it in words. Sometimes anxiety shows up as behaviour, mood changes, or even physical symptoms.
“Any deviation, noticeable shift, or change that is inconsistent with a child’s typical baseline presentation and behaviour may serve as a possible indicator of emotional distress.
This may include, but is not limited to, emotional dysregulation (such as unexpected tearfulness, uncharacteristic emotional outbursts or irritability), social/relational withdrawal (reduced communication, reluctance to talk or participate, isolation), attachment-related behaviours (increased reassurance-seeking, heightened proximity-seeking behaviours, or an elevated need for connection and security), heightened arousal (hypervigilance/ increased alertness, scanning for threat, exaggerated startle, difficulty relaxing).
Children may also communicate distress behaviourally rather than verbally, with distress sometimes presenting instead through signs of nervous system activation or anxiety-related physiological symptoms, such as digestive difficulties, changes in sleep or appetite patterns, altered interaction patterns, nausea, headaches, or muscle tension and soreness.”
Rosslee stresses that support starts with the parent.
“The first step in supporting a child experiencing distress is co-regulation, which begins with the parent or caregiver.
Co-regulation recognises that an adult’s own nervous system state including their level of activation, emotional regulation, tone of voice, facial expression, and body language significantly influences the child’s sense of safety and capacity to regulate.”
Explaining what’s going on
Kids need honesty, but delivered in a way they can handle. Pretending loud noises are “just construction” won’t help. They need to know what’s happening – in age-appropriate doses.
“Making the time to connect with children and engage in open discussion is essential during conflict and crisis situations. Leaving children with uncertainty or ambiguity about what is happening may increase distress and anxiety.”
Younger kids respond best to simplicity.
“Communication should always be age appropriate. For younger children, it is helpful to keep explanations very simple and concrete, using visual aids, illustrations and storytelling to support understanding.”
Older kids may already be seeing information online, including opinions or criticism that can be confusing or scary.
“For older children, who are more capable of understanding complex information and may already be exposed to social media, discussions can be more detailed. It is important to provide clear, accurate information, encourage them to consult reliable sources, and regularly check in to explore their understanding and concerns.”
Every conversation should reinforce safety. “Regardless of age, every conversation should emphasise that trained adults are managing the situation, that everyone’s safety (including the child’s safety) is paramount.”
Parents can’t ignore their own nerves You can’t pour from an empty cup. Rosslee stresses that parents need to care for themselves too.
“Children rely on a regulated adult presence to mirror, and in turn stabilise their own emotional and physiological responses. Mirroring the adult’s calm, regulated state provides the child with a model for self-regulation and a sense of containment.”
Admitting fear or stress doesn’t make you weak – it makes you human, and it shows your kids how to handle big emotions. “The first step in supporting a child experiencing distress is co-regulation, which begins with the parent or caregiver.”
Routines matter
Life now feels quite chaotic and confusing, and what can help is having a routine. They give kids a sense of control and stability.
“During periods of uncertainty and disruption, maintaining familiar routines and structure plays a pivotal role in supporting a child’s sense of safety and emotional security.”
Even small things – family mealtimes, watching a film, or tidying up together – can reassure children that not everything is changing.
“Predictable daily rhythms help children feel more grounded and provide a sense of stability and reassurance when external circumstances feel uncertain.”
Creative outlets and expression
Not all kids talk about how they feel. Creative outlets can help them process emotions while offering a little relief. “Creative activities are a powerful way for children to express and process emotions in a safe, non-threatening manner.”
Movement, drawing, storytelling, or imaginative play can help release tension: “Movement-based play, including dancing, running, jumping, stretching, or embodied expression, can help children integrate emotional experiences and support nervous system regulation.”
Managing social media and online content
Older children (and adults) are bombarded with information online. Opinions, criticism, and negativity can fuel anxiety.
“Managing children’s exposure to social media and news content is an important aspect of supporting their emotional well-being, particularly during times of crisis.”
Rosslee recommends open conversations about what kids see online, helping them process content safely:
“When children know they can discuss what they see online with a trusted adult, they are less likely to rely solely on social media for information.”
When to get extra help
Some children may need professional support – and that’s okay.
“Ongoing impairments in a child’s level of functioning can be important warning signs that professional support may be needed.”
Signs include changes in sleep, appetite, mood, or social behaviour. “Persistent changes in sleep or appetite, mood fluctuations, difficulty managing worry, physiological symptoms such as digestive issues, headaches, or muscle tension, as well as social changes such as withdrawal.”
Explain professional support gently:
“Caregivers can explain that just as we visit a doctor when we feel physically unwell, seeking support for strong or difficult feelings is normal and helpful.”
A reminder for parents
Above all, Rosslee reminds parents: you don’t need perfect answers. Staying positive is tough, but showing your kids how to manage fear and stress is more important than being “perfect.”
Children notice bravery, calm, and effort – from leaders, people protecting them, and from you. At the same time, it’s normal to reflect on neighbouring countries facing far greater hardships. Fear and gratitude can exist together – and both are valid.
What matters most to children is feeling supported, listened to, and reassured that they are safe. In these turbulent moments, the calm steadiness of a parent can be the single most powerful source of comfort. Your presence, patience, and willingness to acknowledge emotions – both theirs and yours – are what truly help children feel grounded, secure, and resilient.
