Speaking To Your Children About Ebola

BOSTON (CBS) - Children are starting to ask questions about Ebola.

So what can parents do to reassure their kids during this time?

Read: CDC Information On Ebola

Keep in mind the ages of your children and speak to them in an age appropriate manner.

You're going to speak to a 5-year-old differently than you would a 15-year-old.

You should ask them what specific questions they have so you know how much information to give them and psychiatrists say, most importantly, stay calm.

"The last thing parents should do is respond in a somewhat excitable, hystrionic manner, because kids look up to their parents in terms of a sense of structure, a sense of solidity and if their parents are starting to look they're losing it, the kids will start feeling it too," Dr. Danny Mendoza, a psychiatrist at Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth, told WBZ-TV.

So speak plainly, give facts and reassure your children that they and their friends are safe and not at risk of getting sick.

You can follow Dr. Mallika Marshall on Twitter @mallikamarshall

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