By Dr. Stephanie O’Leary

Just in case your parenting plate wasn’t full enough, now you have to deal with questions and concerns about creepy clowns. Personally, I wish they would just go away, join a circus, or find something more productive to do than stand around acting creepy.

However, that seems unlikely, especially with Halloween just a few weeks away. So, what’s a parent to do? Good question. Here are five things to make sure you cover when it comes to helping your child cope with creepy clowns (or anything creepy for that matter):

1. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

It may be tempting to change the subject or deny that there’s anything to be concerned about, but most kids will hear about these creepy clowns at some point and it’s important for you to keep your credibility. So, the best route to take as a parent is to be honest. Keep it simple by saying things like, “People are dressing up as clowns in some places and no one is really sure why” or, "Some people are making threats (or saying they’ll do mean things) while dressed up like a clown." At the end of the day, being honest allows your child to trust you so when you step in to clarify misinformation you’re more likely to be believed.

2. STICK TO THE FACTS

While initial reports of were largely exaggerated, in the past few days there have been more serious incidents of creepy clowns doing harm. Encourage and help your child to “check the facts” and highlight that it’s not smart to simply believe whatever you hear. This process empowers kids by giving them a strategy to fall back on. Partnering with you to seek out information will help cut through the chaos and anchor your child in what’s actually happening. This is a much more productive approach than getting carried away with all the overwhelming possibilities.

3. CHECK YOUR EMOTIONS

Creepy clowns are creepy, and when schools are the target of social media threats it’s natural for parents to be alarmed. Here, it’s important to remember that kids are like sponges ready and waiting to absorb the emotions surrounding them. Breeding hysteria will not help your child if they have to face a threat. So, instead of making extreme statements simply acknowledge your feelings and convey the message that you trust your child to make wise choices “I don’t like it that people are dressing like clowns and showing up randomly, but I trust that you will know what to do to keep yourself safe”

4. SAFETY IN NUMBERS

We’ve all heard this cliche, but it can be a lifesaver and this whole clown situation is actually a great opportunity to review basic safety skills. No matter what the threat (clowns or otherwise), sticking together makes sense. Remind your kids to stay with a friend or in a group when traveling in the community. If your child does have to travel alone, talk about ways to stay connected (such as having a phone conversation on speaker making sure that their eyes are alert and their chin is up) or make alternate arrangements to ensure that the buddy-system is in place.

5. REMIND KIDS TO SPEAK UP

This is important on two levels. First, let your child know that you are always available to listen and that nothing they say or ask will upset you. This leaves the door open for continued communication on the subject and protects your child from the unnecessary anxiety that can develop if thoughts and feelings are bottled up. Second, give your child permission to speak up at school and in the community if they see something that does not seem right to them. Granted, a creepy clown is hard to miss, but kids are armed with instincts that may detect subtler signs of a threat and they should be encouraged to go to a trusted adult and ask for help (and to keep asking until someone listens).

 

Stephanie O’Leary, Psy.D. is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in Neuropsychology, and a mom of two. She provides parents with a no-nonsense approach to navigating the daily grind while preparing their child for the challenges they’ll face in the real world. www.StephanieOLeary.com