Reassure Safety.

Reassure that those are not real.

Maybe try re-focusing attention at bedtime to something else, like a bed time book...so thoughts don't race.

Practice relaxation and grounding techniques.

Tell your children you love them and will protect them.

Hug them.

--For starters.

I'm sorry you and the children are having a hard time with nightmares and flashbacks. I sleep with some type of light on everynight in my bedroom. If I'm feeling more unsettled I sleep with the big light on, if I'm feeling more secure I sleep with a nightlight. Night time is my hardest time. If I have a nightmare, I immediately try to get grounded to where I am now. That I'm safe, that I am loved, etc. Sometimes if the nightmare keeps me up and I can't sleep, I write it down so I can show or talk about it to my therapist so we can figure out the triggers of why I had it. Also, I try to be careful about what I watch on tv. Some violent shows really trigger me. So far as flashbacks, I try to figure out what triggered me, am I not feeling safe, someone talk to me in a scarey way, seeing something on tv, is it on or near the anniversary date of when it happened, etc. Again, I reassure myself that I'm safe and loved and no one is going to hurt me again. I hope this helps a little. If you ever have any questions, feel free to message me. I wish you and the children well.

I agree with TLCDaisy-allow the children to express and learn how to cope in reality is key, along with grounding techniques and reassurance that things can be different and safe. Blessings to you and your kids.

Whenever you have any of these symptoms, the #1 priority is taking care of yourself. That means: reducing the amount of outside stress on you.

The kids may still need to do schoolwork, but tell their teachers they may need to "rest" with their heads down, some days. You may still need to do work or housework, but take breaks, don't do overtime, rest as much as you can, and don't pressure yourself to be a superhero.

This is a time to allow your bodies & minds to heal, with lots of nutritious food, lots of sleep, reading out loud with the kids, quieting music and books, fewer electronic games and more board games and family walks, and general peace & quiet around your home.

psyical comfert hugging holding not so much talking the fear could be stopping ability to listen your doing the right thing about councelling learn to cope with the traumas.