MSU Extension Managing Difficult Conversations & Situations

Supporting youth experiencing trauma

• Supporting kids who have experienced bullying issues
• Developing youth and adult partnerships to address bullying
• Moving beyond bullying prevention 
• Helping children build resiliency amidst trauma and pain

Talking about forgiveness

• Forgiveness: What is it and how do I do it?
  
• Forgiveness: Discussing it as a family
  
• Forgiveness: The impacts of an apology

Talking about grief and loss

• Helping children through grief and loss
  
• Coping with grief
• Helping children cope with loss: Childhood grief
• Helping children cope with loss: Supporting grieving children
• Helping young children understand death
• How to support survivors of suicide attempts

Talking about tragedy in the media

• Talking to youth about the Manchester bombing
  
• Talking about Charlottesville and other violent events
  
• How do you talk to children about current events
  
• Be prepared to talk to youth about the news
  
• Suggestions for talking with children about tragedies and violence
  
• Help young children deal with media reports of violence in the news
  
• Look for the helpers: Talking with young children about tragedy
  
• Young children and the news: How much is too much?
  
• Helping children and youth deal with tragic events

Teaching youth about personal space, boundaries and unhealthy media messages

• Should you force your child to hug a relative
  
• Personal space: A social skills children need and adults can teach
• Youth and media: Equip them to challenge unhealthy messages
• Support youth as they seek time for themselves

Refer to the Adults Working With Youth page for information related to communicating with youth, keeping vulnerable populations safe, navigating conflict and setting boundaries.