Page 209 - The Intentional Parent

kids to develop tics. The stress causing the tics can come from school itself, from the family, or from other social arenas. In most cases, tics disappear on their own. If the tic is very noticeable, it should be evaluated first by your pediatrician and then, if it is warranted, by a neurologist or behavioral specialist. In rare cases, this behavior can be caused by Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder that produces tics and, in severe cases, uncontrollable vocalizations that sound like barking, or even uncontrolled swearing.
DEATH FIXATIONS
My nine-year-old seems to be fixated on death. She is constantly worried that her father and I are going to die, and she's constantly asking questions about when her grandmother and grandfather are going to die. Her questions are difficult, if not impossible, to answer, but I'm afraid that if I tell her I don't know, it will make things worse. How can I put her at ease?
Very sensitive kids go through a period where they become almost obsessed with death and dying. It's almost as if they wake up one day with the realization that everything in life is pretty fragile and can be destroyed in a moment. It's probably not surprising to hear that during military crises, or right after natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes, the incidence of kids reporting these fears rises dramatically. We live in an age of terrorism, nuclear war, AIDS, pandemics and violent crime. Some kids seem to tune into all of this and go through a very bleak and pessimistic period.
The best way to talk to kids when they get like this is to ask them to tell you everything that's on their mind. Be supportive, but
The Intentional Parent by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D. 209