We all know that layoffs are hard. They create stress, worry, and financial instability, not to mention grief over a job that you loved, or colleagues you miss. Unfortunately, layoffs are fairly common. In the U.S., approximately 40 percent of Americans have been laid off at least once in their career. You don’t even have to be laid off to feel anxious about it; simply knowing that you could be next, or saying goodbye to colleagues can spark layoff anxiety.
How to Talk to Your Kids About Layoffs
Advice on what to say (and what not to say) when you break the news.
January 03, 2023
Amanda Berglund
Summary.
Layoffs, we must remember, are a family affair. And facing the painful reality of job loss as a family is necessary. This doesn’t mean your four-year-old needs to know the details of your household budget, or that your pre-teen needs to worry about transferring to a new (unknown) school. But it does mean approaching conversations, and any problems you have, in a clear and age-appropriate manner. In this piece, the author offers advice on what to say (and not to say) when you break the news to your children as well as practical strategies to help your family weather the job loss together.