Equip Kids to Face Difficult News With Weekly Family Time

The stream of tough topics for parents to explain can feel unending: social unrest, hate crimes, natural disasters ... the pandemic. Many children and teens have struggled to process what they see at school, in their neighborhoods and on the news.

Scott and Kathy Deaton of Louisville, Kentucky, have a blended family of three children. Soon after the couple married, they established a weekly family night to help their family cope with challenges. Willingness to be adaptable to the needs of the children and to world conditions have truly benefitted the family over the last six years. “Ever since the pandemic started,” said Jocelyn, Kathy's 19-year-old daughter, the conversations “became more about current events.”

In September 2020, Louisville protests brought civil unrest to the door of the Deaton-Cloud household as many local businesses started to board up windows in preparation for potential riots. “I was shocked that something like this could happen so close to where I live,” said Kathy’s 16-year-old son. “There was danger just twenty minutes from my home.”

Scott and Kathy were quick to help their children navigate their emotions. “We did not know what to expect,” admitted Scott. The family reviewed an Awake! article, “Is Protest the Answer?”, highlighted on jw.org. “We got that article out right away so we knew how to prepare.”

"That is what we all needed, said Kathy. "It did calm our hearts. We have a game plan if there is violence in our neighborhood." Scott's 17-year-old son echoed that reassurance. "My fears went away," he said.

In an ever-changing and challenging world, experts recommend regular family discussions to help young ones build resilience.

“Good communication is essential for a child’s survival in this world,” said James Wright, a California-based family counselor and conflict resolution mediator. “Why not have a family discussion once a week and talk about what’s going on in your lives?”

The Deaton-Cloud family is not alone in holding to a set time to have family discussions. For nearly two decades, families of Jehovah’s Witnesses like theirs around the world have been encouraged to make “family worship” an uninterrupted weekly routine.

“For many of our families, their weekly discussions are among the most important hours of the week,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “It has brought thousands of our families closer together and helped children feel safe and loved.”

In hurricane-pummeled New Orleans, the Andrades address safety concerns with their two sons during their regular family worship night.

“On one of our family nights, we were able to put our emergency go bags together and practice what we would do if we were to get separated during a natural disaster,” said mom Ashley Andrade, who safely evacuated with her family before Hurricane Ida uprooted trees and downed power lines on their street.

Her family strengthened this routine in 2009 when Jehovah’s Witnesses reduced their midweek meetings from two to one, freeing up an evening each week for families to enjoy such time together.

“Meeting in large groups for worship is a Bible command, but the Bible also tells parents to make time to talk with their kids,” said Hendriks. “The change to our weekly meetings helped families to prioritize unhurried Bible discussions tailored to their needs.”

For the Cariagas of Lomita, California, their weekly discussion provided a time to promptly address racism when their three girls saw news reports about hate crimes targeting their Asian community.

“The articles on jw.org about prejudice and the video about anxiety were really helpful,” said mom Lorrie Cariaga, referencing free resources on the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where they often turn for practical and scriptural solutions to family concerns.

Along with serious topics, the Cariagas mix in singing, dramatic performances, and hiking in their family worship together. “Family time is like an open space; it's relaxed, and it's always fun,” said Sophie, 14.

Family night also builds stronger families as children prepare for the future. “Family worship is a reinforcement to our relationship, like rebar in concrete. I have support in decisions I want to make and goals I have in mind," said Kathy’s 16-year-old son.