How parents can use the food poisoning crisis as a teachable moment
In recent months, more than 20 children have died from food-borne illnesses linked to goods bought from spaza shops.
Picture: © seventyfour74/123rf
Gugs Mhlungu spoke to resident human potential and parenting expert, Nikki Bush.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
More than 20 children have died from food-borne illnesses in recent months in the country.
The goods they consumed are said to have been bought from local spaza shops.
A pesticide known as organophosphate has been identified as the cause of death.
Bush says parents can use this food poisoning crisis as a teachable moment.
"Crises are an opportunity for be it a teachable moment, for learning, for building resilience and of course gratitude for what they have."
- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert
"It's important that in these situations parents stay calm and keep perspective and understand that parental anxiety is incredibly contagious."
- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert
Bush emphasises that even though these conversations are difficult, parents should help their children understand the situation by distinguishing facts from emotions before anxiety escalates.
She adds that children will feel safe when they know and can see their parents have a plan.
Bush has the following tips for parents to navigate crises:
1. Avoid parental guilt and over protection
2. When things are feeling out of control, keep the routine in your home consistent (regular routines instill a sense of normality and security for children)
3. Create a safety plan
4. Limit their media consumption (especially with young children)
"Be calm, be honest and age-appropriate and reassure your children about the steps you're going to take...Let's see this as an opportunity, not a punishment."
- Nikki Bush, human potential and parenting expert
For more parenting advice visit nikkibush.com
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation