The United States is at war with Iraq and continues to deal domestically with issues related to terrorism.  As parents, teachers and family support professionals, you may be asking yourselves how you can explain and discuss these issues with your children.  As a service to you, we have compiled a list of online materials/information that may be helpful to you.

Talking With Children About War

• CYFERnet - A meta-index of articles, activities, and other resources
• PBS Parents - Talking With Kids About War and Violence
• Something to Remember by Legacy Project - Tips on helping children talk about and deal with war and terrorism as well as activity ideas
• Talking With Children About Terrorism and War - University of Illinois
• Talking to Kids About Armed Conflict - North Dakota State University Extension Service
• Teaching Tolerance - Talking to Kids About War
• Talking About Terrorism and War & Talking with Children about War - Pointers for Parents - The Learning Network

Resources for Military Families

• Explaining Your Absence During Active Duty to Your Children - University of Minnesota
• Healthy Parenting Initiatives - Information for Military Personnel and Their Families
• Information on Impact of Military Deployment and Related Issues on Families - Kansas State University Research and Extension

Stress and Coping

• Coping in Unsettling Times - National Association of School Psychologists
• Helping Children Deal with Scary Thoughts-Thoughts from Fred Rogers - PBS KIDS/Family Communications, Inc.
• Ready to Respond - University of Minnesota
• Restoring Hope in the Wake of Terrorism - University of Minnesota

Protecting children from Traumatic Media Exposure

• Talking with Kids about the News - Children Now

Classroom Resources

• Teaching Resources on Iraq - BBC
• Global Connections - The Middle East - PBS
• Teaching the Iraq War - Daily Lessons - NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, PBS

Supporting our Troops and their Families

• USA Freedom Corps - resource for people seeking to support our troops, their families, and their communities called "On the Homefront"
• Operation Dear Abby - send e-mail messages to deployed troops of any Service from your home state
• Defend America - sign an online thank you card for troops
• Operation USA Care Package - contribute to the purchase of a care package of items requested by troops such as sunscreen, disposable cameras, prepaid calling cards, and toiletries
• Operation Uplink - contribute to the purchase of phone cards that will be distributed to military personnel and hospitalized veterans
• Volunteer with one of the youth serving organizations helping to tutor or take care of children while a parent or caregiver is stationed away from home. Some of these organizations include the Boys and Girls Clubs of America , Camp Fire USA , National 4-H Headquarters , and YMCA of the USA .
• If you want to donate money, there are many organizations that help military families. Each of the branches of the armed services has a military relief society that offer low interest loans and other emergency financial assistance to military families:  Army Emergency Relief , Navy/Marine Relief Society , Air Force Aid Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance .

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