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Telling your kids about the layoff
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Telling your kids about the layoff can be an extremely hard task if you keep putting it off. I would suggest not waiting until the moving van is pulling up to the house in preparation for your downsizing. Kids look to their parents for examples of how to react to stressful situations. With that said, try to keep your emotions under control when sharing the news. It’s important to remember that how you present things are often more important than what is being said. No matter how distraught you may be, your job as a parent is to reassure your children that you are hard at work on a plan to help get the family through this tough time.
It is not important to share all of the information about your layoff with your kids. Be selective in sharing news about the economic crisis. While it’s helpful for children to know that they are not the only ones dealing with an unemployed parent, you don’t want to overwhelm them with depressing facts and figures. Kids have access to a variety of sources on the web and are able to find out way more than we did as kids.
Explain to your kids that the family will be expected to cut back on spending during this time period. Try and be specific about what this means to your kids eating out less, shopping less and possibly cutting back on their activities. Ask your kids for their input, this will give your kids a chance to react and possibly offer some help to the family. They may even surprise you by suggesting they take a cut in their allowance. This sacrifice as a family will teach your kids to live within their means and help them to feel like they are contributing to the family.
Be as truthful as you can, but please keep speculations about the ‘what-ifs,’ like not being able to pay bills, losing your car or your home, to a minimum. Although these things may be in your immediate future, these issues can be tackled if and when they actually happen. As much as you might be in need of comfort, don’t expect much sympathy from your kids, at least not initially. Prepare yourself for not having the support of your kids after they learn the news. Some children will respond with empathy and care, but many kids will become angry about possibly losing out on their activities or the lifestyle they live.
Being laid off affects more than just the individual, it affects the entire family. Take the time to prepare your family and decide to take on this crisis together, as a family.
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