| My son Josh was scared. You could see it in his | | | | Of course my son knows I travel to Asia and in |
| little face. Angst was written all over him. His | | | | fact lived in China where influenza is birthed. So |
| knuckles were as white as his t-shirt. He starred | | | | yes, I told him too of precautions I take, vaccines |
| down. "What's up?" I asked with a smile hoping to | | | | which are available against the flu virus and most |
| relieve his fears. "Daddy," he nervously replied, | | | | importantly, that God is in control so I don't have |
| "I'm afraid I'll get Bird Flu!" | | | | to worry. I suggested to Josh that he too can |
| And this from a seven year old! At breakfast | | | | pray for me when I travel and that he is under |
| time!! | | | | God's protection. I took it another step and said |
| I'm not sure if Josh had heard me talking about | | | | we can do something positive and helpful for |
| Bird Flu or if he heard about it at school. | | | | other kids. We talked about what he could tell his |
| Whatever the case, kids do hear all that is going | | | | friends at school should they get scared. We |
| on around us and need to be helped through their | | | | talked about how we could pray together for kids |
| fears before they get a pandemic of the | | | | in China. And we talked about giving to help fund |
| stomach. There are in fact just a few simple | | | | research. All these things helped Josh face the |
| things we as parents can do to help our kids | | | | issue of Bird Flu in a different light. |
| work through issues, regardless of the age or | | | | I know that Josh is not completely over his fears. |
| gender of our bundles of joy. | | | | He hears more and more about Bird Flu and I |
| A lot of what kids (and especially youth) need is | | | | know that when kids are sick at school Josh |
| simply an ear. Talking with your child about the | | | | wonders of they "have it." That is why I keep up |
| issues at hand is vitally important. When I | | | | to date with Josh about what is going on without |
| explained to Josh that Bird Flu is very susceptible | | | | making Bird Flu an issue or blowing it out of |
| to heat and that just zapping his breakfast in the | | | | proportion. I hear in his prayers that it is |
| Microwave already killed all those bad guys | | | | sometimes on his mind, other times not. So I |
| (germs) his face light up like a Christmas tree. I | | | | keep a balance in how or when I approach the |
| also explained to him a few other facts about Bird | | | | subject. And of course I make the point to |
| Flu including tips on washing hands, covering the | | | | always pray God's protection over us as a family |
| mouth when coughing and not kissing the | | | | and to keep our house safe. In this way Josh |
| neighbors chicken. Adding a few practical steps | | | | gets a perspective on life which doesn't suggest |
| can help your child relate to the more complex | | | | that danger is non-existent but rather that |
| "how's", and in this case, even have the added | | | | through action and prayer we don't have to live in |
| benefit of finally getting those hands washed | | | | fear. |
| before meals. | | | | |