12 things you can do today

to decrease fear and invite more joy into your family life.

1. Look at the environment from a child's view; be aware of all sources of negative, confusing or frightening information. (There is a great deal we adults tune out and children tune into)

2. Turn off the radio in your car when children are present. (Your hand cannot move fast enough to change the dial when topics change. Talk to each other, sing, or play games instead.)

3. Control all sources of information and possible scary news in your own home. (Don't give up - you can create an environment of safety and peace in your home, even though you cannot control what your children are exposed to everywhere else.)

4. Keep company with people who are good examples for your children. (If you want positive, loving children, surround them with positive, loving people.)

5. Be with your children as much as possible. (The presence of a loving parent is the single most powerful force in a child's life.)

6. Pray with your children. (Don't underestimate the power of your thoughts and prayers when they are focused with love and good intention.)

7. Answer your children’s questions about scary news honestly, giving facts, reassurance of safety, and ideas for positive action. (Let your children know you will help them deal with anything that worries them.)

8. Notice beauty and goodness and experience the joy of today with your children. (The world may be a scary place, but it is also filled with beauty and goodness and many loving people.)

9. Do something with love for another person. (Acting with love for others is the best cure for fear.)

10. Give your children quiet time. (We all need time for quiet reflection and the opportunity for processing emotional events.)

11. Remind yourself and your children that we all are spiritual beings. (In whatever form it takes for you. help your children find an inner reality that is beyond the physical world.)

12. Listen to your inner guidance. (Trust your intuition and follow it when making decisions about your children. You are the expert on your kids!)