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Though hearing that one has loss their job is difficult, what can be even more burdensome is the prospect of relaying this information to one’s family, particularly children. Individuals who postpone conveying this information to their family members only worsen an already precarious situation.

Individuals who have been laid off certainly dread going home to tell their spouse that they have lost their job. This is a natural reaction to a difficult situation. Times are tough and the prospects of finding employment are difficult to say the least. Given the initial reaction that individuals experience is shock, it is no wonder that many avoid the inevitable; telling their family members that their job has come to an end and the ability to pay bills and mortgages has now become uncertain. However, to engender the support that is required to cope with tough times like these, telling family members as soon as possible is highly recommended.

Communicating a job loss to children is important, yet children may be oblivious to many of the ramifications of unemployment. Just the same, leaving the children in dark is not recommended. First, it important to understand that this is a stressful time for all concerned, and children cope with stress differently than adults. It is important to keep in mind that children need to be supported and loved unconditionally. It is critical to sustain the routines of the home, especially for young children.

Given the entire family is affected by a parent’s job loss, all family members deserve to know about and be part of the lifestyle changes required to cope during this difficult time. When a parent has suffered a job loss, it is important to communicate the bad news first to their spouse. A person’s spouse offers a unique form of support, which can help in keeping spirits up, keeping motivated, and if they have children, parents can decide together how to communicate to their children in an honest manner that the children will understand.

For more information on this subject, please contact Deer Oaks EAP at 1-877-327-7658.
Prepared by Deer Oaks EAP