Helping Your Family Cope with Robbery
Whether it happens in the middle of the night or while vacationing far away, there are few events that can shatter the comfort of your home as badly as a criminal invasion – especially if it involves violence or an extensive loss of property. No matter the extent of the crime, a robbery can leave you and your entire family feeling lost and violated somewhere where you thought you were safe. Every person responds to tragedy in their own way, and nobody can predict how long emotional recovery from such an event can be. But there are several things you can do to make sure that your family is able to come to terms with robbery, and eventually return to a feeling of normalcy and peace at home.
1. Assess the situation
When discovering that your house has been targeted by a burglar, the first step to take is to dial the police. Many people fail to contact the police upon being victimized because they believe the crime is already done and there isn’t a point, but calling might help in recovering some of your property – and perhaps prevent the criminal from striking someone else’s home. If it’s obvious from outside that your home has been burglarized, it’s crucial to not enter the home until the police arrive. Keep your family safe in a neighbor’s house until the home is checked, or a locked car if a neighbor isn’t nearby. It’s also important to not touch anything until any possible evidence is recovered from the premises. Finally, remember to call your insurance agent and follow their directions on redeeming what you can on the value of your lost property.
2. Improve your home security
A great way to help someone who has been victimized is to provide them a way to protect themselves. After experiencing a robbery, take several days to work with your family on improving the security of your home. Try replacing locks, securing your tools, maintaining doors and windows, building a gate, mounting security cameras, and having a professional security system installed. There are countless DIY home security sites, such as HomeTipster.com, to help your family think of more ways to prevent being the victim of another burglar. Taking time to find methods to deter and prevent crime allows you and your family to take control of the situation and once again feel secure.
3. Talk about it
The most important part of getting through a crisis like a burglary is discussing it amongst each other and with friends. It’s important to recognize your feelings towards the situation and confront them; You might feel frightened, helpless, or angry. Remember that everyone responds to difficult situations in different ways. But also keep in mind that there are steps that everyone can take to protect themselves. You are not helpless, and you are not a statistic. Keep your thoughts positive and action-oriented, and seek the help of a family counselor if family members have difficulty coping. Keep in mind that recovery is a process that takes a different amount of time for each of us.
Dealing with robbery can be a particularly troubling and confusing time for young children. Sleeplessness and anxiousness is something every victim experiences, but these are very pronounced in most children. You can help these children by being a compassionate listener, offering positive coping outlets like discussion or exercising, showing them some relaxation techniques, and providing a place that is both physically and psychologically protective. If a child seems distant or denies the problem, help them confront the situation by telling them that it’s something that they need to accept, providing emotional support, and concentrating on the future in a positive goal-oriented manner. In an accepting and concerned environment, you can turn a robbery into a life lesson on dealing with hardship.
Through these methods, you can minimize the trauma and anxiety that your family experiences through the course of coping with robbery. If handled thoughtfully, dealing with such a tragedy can bring your family even closer. Teaching your family how to handle a robbery can turn your home from a place of alienation back to a comforting haven once again. For more information on coping with psychological trauma, check the National Institute of Mental Health.
Ben Thatcher is a DIY home security guy who blogs tips and tutorials. He lives on a ranch in Idaho with his loving wife and writes for Protect America, a security systems provider.
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Melissa
Melissa Northway, M.S. is a mom, founder of dandelion moms, and a children’s book author. Her award-winning book Penelope the Purple Pirate was inspired by her little tomboy. Penelope is a modern-day Pippi Longstocking who teaches girls and boys the importance of having fun while at the same time teaching them to be kind and respectful of others and their differences. Dandelion moms was created for moms to share their stories and to inspire and be inspired! You can reach Melissa at: info@dandelionmoms.com and follow her @melissanorthway and @dandelionmoms. Check out her author web site at: www.melissanorthway.com, as she hands out loads of goodies from the treasure chest.
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