Conflicts in the Gulf: Helping Children Feel Safe During Uncertainties

Gulf Insider

5 days ago

For many families living in the Gulf, life is marked by a strong sense of security. The GCC is a haven, not just for its citizens but also for the large expatriate communities who call it home. Streets are safe, communities are close-knit, and disruptions to daily life are virtually non-existent.
However, even the most peaceful corners of the world are not immune to the ripple effects of regional tensions. Every once in a while (think back to the early '90s or early 2000s), events beyond our control cause a collective pause. We've seen moments when families booked flights overnight, when uncertainty took over dinner table conversations, and when silence indicated worry.
Over the past few weeks, worry has gripped the region once again. On Monday, as airspace around the GCC closed, sirens blared through the streets, and visuals of an attack spread across the news, the collective mood in Bahrain and beyond was that of panic.
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What's changed today is the nature of information. We've gone from knowing too little to knowing too much. Social media, news alerts, and viral videos are constantly feeding our minds.
While most adults have learned to filter or scroll past, children don't always have that buffer. Their understanding of the world is still forming, and in the face of scary headlines or alarming videos, their inner world can take quite a hit.
Children, especially adolescents, are far more perceptive than we give them credit for. They might not bring it up, but they're watching. They're listening. They're absorbing. Some might mimic the fear they see by asking questions about emergency supplies or scanning for the nearest shelter. Others might grow quiet, their anxiety showing up in sleep patterns, appetite, or sudden clinginess.
Bahrain-based Teen/Tween Life Coach, Sarah Almawy, told Gulf Insider : ' During hostile scenarios with highly stressful situations such as war or internal conflicts, it is a good idea for parents and caregivers to create a safe environment where adolescents feel comfortable expressing themselves by asking any questions they feel would appease their wondering minds. '
She added – 'Adults may want to begin the conversations with sentences like, ' I realise that you may be hearing a lot of information all at once which is scary and confusing, and we will do our very best to present you with the facts ', or ' Feeling overwhelmed and anxious are normal in situations such as these, so feel free to ask anything that comes to mind whenever you are ready .' Keep in mind that it is crucial to present our children with facts rather than opinions so that they can comprehend the situation as opposed to becoming emotionally intertwined in the situation.'
Almawy continued that openly listening while providing a safe space for the adolescents to freely express how and what they are feeling is extremely crucial.
Use age-appropriate language and be honest: 'That's a great observation, but I am not sure that I have all of the answers just yet.'
Encourage them to focus on something other than the news by suggesting an activity with you, like preparing a meal or watching an upbeat TV show or movie.
Speaking to Gulf News , Dubai-based Clinical Psychologist, Aida Suhaimi, said that it's important to acknowledge the fact that we don't have all the answers. It models emotional honesty. 'I don't know, but I'm here with you' can be far more comforting than vague assurances or over-explanations. 'Children don't need all the answers,' says Suhaimi. 'They just need to know they're not alone in the unknown.'
Keeping an eye on how much they're consuming, whether it's TikTok, Instagram, or even overheard news can limit their exposure to toxic news cycles and misinformation. Watch the news together if needed, and talk through what they're seeing.
An important realisation for most parents is that while they can't shield children from everything, they can hold their hand through it. Often, that's all they really need.