Parents should try to assure children that they've done everything they can to keep their children safe. Overexposure to the media can be traumatizing. It's unwise to let children or adolescents view footage of traumatic events over and over. Children and adolescents should not watch these events alone. Adults need to help children understand the significance of these events.
Discussion is critical.
It should be stressed that the terrorist acts are ones of desperation and horror - and that they're not about politics or religion. Children should know that lashing out at members of a particular religious or ethnic group will only cause more harm. We are continuing to provide after hours telephone advice via MedAmerica On-Call. Calls about ongoing issues that are not immediately urgent, such as long standing medical issues without sudden changes, feeding questions or routine medication refills, or calls for appointments in our office, should be made during the usual office hours. We are participating in Marin General Hospital's pediatric hospitalist program.