Town Meeting: Helping Children

Sept. 9, 2005 — -- Parents have many crucial questions about children directly affected by Hurricane Katrina and those who watched the natural disaster unfold on television.

The No. 1 question that evacuated parents have asked in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is "How do I find my child?" The answer to that question is to call the Katrina Missing Persons Hotline: 1-888-544-5475.

To answer other concerns, "Nick News" host Linda Ellerbee joined "Good Morning America" and talked to parents at the Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, La. You can also find information about how kids can help at www.dosomething.org.

Question: How do you explain to your kids that you won't ever be able to go back to where you used to live?

-- Jenna Enclade, 23, evacuated mother

Ellerbee: I think it works best with kids when you deal with the short term. Take it one day at a time. Instead of saying, "You can't go back anymore," say, "We can't go back right now." Tell them that anywhere you are, anywhere your family is, that's home. As they become more comfortable with where they are, they will stop asking that question so often.

Question: How do I explain to my children where all their new classmates are coming from? They are asking me who they are and why don't they have uniforms and school supplies?

-- Becky Bohlander, church volunteer at the Bethany World Prayer Center and mother of three

Ellerbee: Explain to your children that a hurricane hit the town where these kids live and their schools are either under water right now or unable to open because the teachers aren't there. Tell them that these new kids are not there on purpose. They're there because they need help, and what your kids can offer them is friendship. Ask your kids how they would feel if some accident forced them to go to another town and to a new school. Then ask your kids to treat these kids the way they would want to be treated. These kids need food, clothing and shelter, but they also need friendship.

Question: My kids are watching all of these images on TV. They ask, "So is our house going to be under water next?"

-- Cathy Carmouche, volunteer and mother of three

Ellerbee: Tell them storms don't follow people, storms don't care. This storm is over. This storm is not coming to get anyone anymore. Also, explain that the city of New Orleans lies below sea level, so when the levees broke, the water had no place to go. Baton Rouge is not like that.

I would also encourage them to turn off the television for a while and go do something else.

Question: My kids got upset when they saw kids were not getting food and they want to know why they can't go and give them food and water.

-- Michelle Netreiler, volunteer and mother of two

Ellerbee: Tell them it's a job too big of children and it's not safe. Adults need to handle it. It's wonderful that kids want to help because helping makes them feel better, but tell them there are other ways they can help to feel better. Kids should ask their parents to help them find out about many of the organizations set up for them to help other kids.

Question: I'm going to have to enroll my kids in a new school system here in Baton Rouge. Hopefully, I'll eventually be able to move back to East New Orleans. If that's not possible, they'll go to a third school system. How do I get my kids through these transition periods?

-- Wayne Johnson, 40, evacuee and father of two

Ellerbee: Again, remind kids that wherever you are, that's home. When you're together, that's home. Tell kids that this may be hard, but they are strong enough and brave enough to get through it. Also, let them know that it's never easy, but change is an essential part of life. When we understand that, we understand we have everything inside of us we need to survive change.

Let them know it's important to talk about their feelings. In the next few months you're going to have to talk about fears and sadness.